Homemade Teriyaki Chicken Salad with Creamy Peanut Lime Dressing
This approachable, flavor-packed recipe breaks down into simple, easy-to-follow steps:
First, prep the chicken for deep flavor: Place your chicken breasts and teriyaki marinade into a large resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and toss to coat every piece evenly, then chill the chicken in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour (for even richer flavor, you can marinate it overnight).
Next, mix up the signature creamy dressing: Add cilantro, peanut butter, red wine vinegar, fresh lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, sesame oil, and lime zest to a food processor, then blend until all ingredients are fully combined. With the processor running, slowly pour in ½ cup of olive oil and continue blending until the dressing becomes completely smooth. Add black pepper to taste, then blend once more to incorporate.
Prep your crispy tortilla toppings while the chicken marinates: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread your cut corn tortilla strips in a single even layer across a baking sheet, then drizzle 2 teaspoons of olive oil over the top, tossing lightly to coat all strips.
Bake the strips in your preheated oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until they turn golden and fully crispy. Keep an eye on them during the final few minutes to prevent burning.
Cook the marinated chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts to the pan, and cook 7 to 10 minutes per side until the outside is evenly browned and the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it cool for roughly 5 minutes, until it’s comfortable to handle, then slice it into thin strips.
Assemble and serve your salad: In a large serving bowl, toss corn, rinsed black beans, and chopped romaine lettuce together until mixed. Top the greens with shredded Monterey Jack cheese, cooked sliced chicken, and crispy baked tortilla strips. Finish by pouring your prepared dressing over the full salad, toss lightly to combine, and serve immediately.