Zesty Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad Recipe for Fresh Dinners

Crisp vegetables and tender chicken dance together in this vibrant chili lime chicken fajita salad that brings Mexican-inspired flavors to your plate.

Bright lime juice and zesty seasonings create a bold profile that ignites every bite.

Each forkful bursts with colorful peppers and perfectly grilled chicken chunks.

The salad combines fresh greens with sizzling protein for a light yet satisfying meal.

Spicy and tangy notes weave through crisp vegetables and juicy chicken, promising a delightful culinary experience.

You’ll savor every refreshing and robust mouthful of this southwestern-style salad that makes weeknight dinners extraordinarily exciting.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular dish that will quickly become a dinner favorite.

Serving Style For Fajita Salad

• Fresh Fiesta Feast: A vibrant salad that bursts with zesty flavors and colorful ingredients perfect for any meal.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Option: Serve alongside warm corn tortillas or crusty bread to soak up the delicious chili lime vinaigrette.
• Weekend Gathering Highlight: Set up a DIY salad bar where guests can customize their plates with extra toppings like queso fresco, jalapeños, or crispy tortilla strips.
• Meal Prep Champion: Pack components separately to keep salad crisp and fresh for a quick lunch or dinner throughout the week, storing dressing and grilled ingredients in separate containers.

Storing Grilled Chili Lime Fajita Salad

• Fridge Storage Magic: Transfer leftover chicken and grilled veggies into airtight containers, keeping them separate to maintain crispness. These ingredients stay fresh for 3-4 days, perfect for quick lunch rebuilds.
• Quick Meal Prep Strategy: Marinate chicken and chop vegetables ahead of time. Store prepped ingredients in sealed containers, saving precious weeknight cooking minutes and reducing kitchen stress.
• Freezer Friendly Trick: Cooked and cooled chicken can be frozen flat in freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently to prevent drying out.
• Smart Salad Assembly: Keep dressing separate from salad ingredients until serving time. This prevents soggy lettuce and maintains delicious crisp textures, ensuring each bite tastes freshly prepared.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s In Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and keeps chicken moist during grilling.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, tangy flavor and tenderizes the chicken naturally.
• Chili Powder: Brings warm, spicy depth and signature southwestern kick.
• Garlic: Provides intense aromatic base with robust flavor profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall taste and balancing seasonings.

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that absorbs marinade beautifully and grills perfectly.
• Avocado: Creamy texture that adds healthy fats and luxurious smoothness to salad.

• Bell Peppers: Colorful, sweet vegetables that caramelize wonderfully when grilled.
• Red Onions: Adds sharp, sweet crunch and beautiful charred edges when grilled.
• Romaine Lettuce: Crisp, sturdy base that provides refreshing foundation for salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Burst with sweet, juicy flavor and vibrant color.
• Cilantro: Brings fresh, herbaceous notes that complement chili and lime.

Tools To Make Grilled Chili Lime Fajita Salad

• Grill or grill pan: Essential for cooking chicken and vegetables with perfect char marks.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for marinating chicken and tossing vegetables.
• Whisk or jar: Perfect for mixing and shaking the vinaigrette dressing.
• Knife: Required for slicing chicken, vegetables, and avocado.
• Tongs: Helpful for flipping and moving ingredients on the grill.
• Cutting board: Necessary for preparing ingredients safely.

Steps For Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad

• Fire Up the Grill Splash chicken with zesty marinade and let flavors dance together in the refrigerator for a quick 30-minute flavor party.
• Sizzle the Protein Grill chicken until golden and perfectly cooked, then let it rest before slicing into delectable strips.
• Char the Garden Treasures Toss peppers and onions onto the grill, letting them develop smoky edges and tender hearts.
• Whip Up the Magic Sauce Create a vibrant vinaigrette that will make taste buds jump with excitement.
• Build Your Flavor Landscape Layer crisp greens with grilled goodies, adding creamy avocado and juicy tomatoes for a colorful feast.
• Drench and Delight Drizzle your killer vinaigrette over the salad, adding optional cheese or crunchy tortilla strips for extra pizzazz.

Tips And Tweaks For Fajita Salad

• Perfect Marination Magic: Let chicken soak in marinade for full flavor absorption, ensuring tender and juicy meat every single time.
• Grill Temperature Trick: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve beautiful char marks without burning chicken or vegetables, creating perfect caramelization.
• Low-Carb Friendly Swap: Replace traditional tortillas with extra lettuce for a lighter, keto-friendly version that keeps all the delicious southwestern flavors intact.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare marinade and chop vegetables in advance, storing separately in refrigerator to streamline cooking process and save precious time during busy weeknights.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, maintaining the same zesty chili lime marinade for a plant-based alternative that doesn't compromise on taste.

Zesty Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Chili lime chicken fajita salad combines zesty Mexican flavors with fresh greens for a light yet satisfying meal. Crisp vegetables and marinated chicken create a balanced dish perfect for summer gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsps olive oil (for chicken)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest and juice of 2 limes
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp cumin
• 0.5 tsp oregano
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for vegetables)
• 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 6 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens, chopped
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey or agave
• 0.5 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Shredded cheese
• Tortilla strips
• Sour cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Marinate Preparation: Combine seasonings in a container, blending chili and lime flavors thoroughly. Immerse chicken pieces completely, refrigerating for 30-120 minutes to infuse deep, zesty notes.
2. Protein Grilling: Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature. Sear marinated chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, ensuring internal doneness. Rest briefly before slicing against the grain to preserve juiciness.
3. Vegetable Charring: Coat bell peppers and onions with olive oil, grilling to caramelize and develop rich, smoky undertones. Rotate periodically to achieve perfect char and tender consistency in 4-6 minutes.
4. Vinaigrette Creation: Vigorously whisk or shake dressing ingredients until fully emulsified, creating a bright, tangy flavor profile that will elevate the entire dish.
5. Salad Assembly: Layer crisp lettuce as a foundation, strategically arranging grilled chicken and vegetables. Enhance with creamy avocado chunks, ripe tomatoes, and fresh cilantro for complex texture and visual appeal.
6. Final Presentation: Drizzle vinaigrette evenly across the salad. Optionally crown with crumbled cheese or crunchy tortilla strips for additional flavor complexity. Serve immediately to maintain peak freshness and temperature.

Notes

• Marinate Strategically: Longer marination (up to 2 hours) intensifies chili-lime flavors without compromising chicken’s texture, but avoid exceeding 120 minutes to prevent protein breakdown.
• Grill Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat around 400-450°F for perfect chicken sear, preventing dryness while achieving beautiful caramelized exterior and juicy interior.
• Vegetable Grilling Technique: Cut peppers and onions in uniform thick slices to ensure even charring and prevent smaller pieces from falling through grill grates, maximizing caramelization potential.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap protein for tofu or plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free tortilla strips, and substitute dairy cheese with vegan options to accommodate various dietary preferences without sacrificing flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg