VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY #106 MEXICAN-STYLE CHOPPED SALAD WITH SPICY CHIPOTLE DRESSING

DRESSING INGREDIENTS:

2T buttermilk (sour cream or plain yogurt thinned with water may be substituted)

2T fresh lime juice

1T honey

6T mayonnaise (homemade or store-bought)

3T ketchup

1T chipotle chili in adobo, minced (or to taste)

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ t ground cumin

2T olive oil

½ bunch cilantro, minced

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

1 # boneless skinless chicken breast – poached and shredded

4 C romaine, chopped

1 C grape tomatoes, halved

½ C cheddar cheese, grated

1 C toasted corn tortillas chips,broken into bite size pieces

1 can black beans, drained, rinsed

1 C fresh corn (or substitute defrosted frozen corn)

¼ C scallions, chopped

Garnish with: sour cream, black olives, avocado and additional cilantro

METHOD:

Mix the buttermilk, lime juice, mayonnaise, honey, ketchup, minced chili, garlic and cumin in a small bowl or with an immersion blender until smooth. 

Slowly add the oil in a steady stream and mix until well incorporated. Stir in chopped cilantro and salt and pepper to taste. 

Combine ¼ C dressing with poached and shredded chicken and set aside. Set remaining aside for assembling salad.

Assemble salad:  layer ½ greens in a deep bowl. Then, layer half the grape tomatoes, cheese, tortilla chips, beans, corn, chicken & scallions on top of the romaine. Drizzle with ½ the reserved dressing and repeat layers ending with chicken. Drizzle remaining dressing on top.Garnish olives, sour cream & chopped cilantro. *Any extra dressing keeps refrigerated for up to one week. 

Serves 2 with ample leftovers