Healthy Southwestern Grilled Chicken Food

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a shallow dish and add 1 tbsp of the oil, lime juice plus zest, garlic, and seasonings. Rub the chicken well, then cover the dish and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes over the counter. If time allows, you can marinate in the fridge overnight.
• Meanwhile, combine all dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and add the other 1 tbsp of oil. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Allow the chicken to slightly cool, then slice it.
• While the chicken cools, add all the salad ingredients to a bowl.
• Top with juicy chicken and drizzle the dressing over.
• Toss to combine then serve. Enjoy!

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Add the oil, vinegar, cilantro/parsley, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt and pepper to a gallon-sized freezer bag, seal, and shake. Either seal and refrigerate until ready to use, OR add 1.5-2 pounds chicken to the bag, seal, and squish around to make sure the chicken is covered in marinade. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
• Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Cook the chicken however you'd like (grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake). See tips below in the Notes.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND BACON WRAPS

Steps:

• In a gallon-sized freezer bag or container, add the chicken to the Southwest Chicken Marinade. (Freezing instructions begin here.) Seal and marinate in the refrigerator for 2-24 hours.
• Preheat grill to medium-high heat and clean the grates well. Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side, maybe longer depending on the thickness, until done. Chicken is done when it registers 165°F internally or has no more pink inside. Let chicken rest on a cutting board and then dice into bite-sized pieces. (See other ways to cook your chicken in notes below.)
• To each tortilla, add some grilled chicken, bacon pieces, 2 tablespoons shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and 2 tablespoons Creamy Southwest Ranch Sauce. Roll up like a burrito. Serve more Creamy Southwest Ranch Sauce on the side for dipping, if desired.
• uncooked chicken in the Southwest Chicken Marinade
• cooked bacon pieces
• shredded cheese
• tortillas (Here are tips for freezing tortillas.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place chicken breasts in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, until done.
• Place chicken and marinade in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Really! That's all it takes to get it done, otherwise you'll overcook and dry it out.
• Place chicken, marinade, and 1/3 cup chicken broth in a 6 quart Instant Pot. (Note: If using an 8 quart, double the marinade and broth amount.) Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes and use a quick release of the pressure when the cook time is up. (Note: It will take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the cook time starts.)

SOUTHWEST GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first six ingredients; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for up to 1 hour., Drain chicken, discarding marinade in bag. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 4-7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

BUTTERMILK SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk together the buttermilk, lime zest and juice, garlic, chili powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, hot sauce, cilantro, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a large bowl. Pour the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag, add the chicken, seal the bag and refrigerate. Marinate bone-in chicken up to 12 hours, boneless up to 4 hours, chicken legs or breasts, up to 24 hours. If using fish, marinate white fish such as snapper, halibut or bass up to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the grill pan over medium-low heat for boneless breasts and fish, and medium heat for bone-in breasts, thighs and legs. Remove the meat/fish from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste, on both sides. Grill until golden brown and charred on both sides and just cooked through.
• Cook's Note:
• This recipe also includes the method for fish.
• Boneless chicken breasts: about 9 minutes total
• Chicken thighs/legs: about 20 minutes total
• Bone-in chicken breasts: about 15 minutes total
• White Fish: about 8 minutes total

SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED CHICKEN WRAPS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Season chicken with taco seasoning.
• Cook on the preheated grill until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 5 to 7 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Allow to cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes; slice into bite-size pieces.
• Combine corn, beans, lettuce, tomato, green onions, Cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing in a bowl; stir in chicken. Assemble wraps as desired in tortillas.

SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Split chicken breasts.
• Place tomatoes, onions, pepper, garlic, cilantro, soy sauce, oil, lime juice and black pepper in food processor and process for 30 seconds.
• Pour marinade over the chicken breasts and marinate, covered and refrigerated for at least 4 hours, turning frequently.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and grill over medium coals for 20 to 30 minutes, turning frequently and basting with marinade.
• Sprinkle the breasts with parsley before serving.
• Serve with black beans.
• If serving marinade as a sauce with the chicken, be sure to cook thoroughly!

EASY SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED CHICKEN RUB AND MARINADE

Steps:

• Blend all ingredients.
• Rub this blend on to individual chicken pieces and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for one hour prior to grilling.
• NOTE: This blend can also be converted to a paste by whisking in 3 tablespoons of olive oil per every tablespoon of rub blend. Use the paste on steaks or roasts.

GRILLED SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Flatten chicken breasts into an even thickness (about 1/2 inch); set aside.
• Combine the oil, vinegar, cilantro, chili powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt and pepper.
• Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag; add marinade. Refrigerate 1-2 hours.
• Remove the chicken; discard marinade. Grill 4-6 minutes per side or until no longer pink.

SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED CHICKEN WITH LIME BUTTER

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine first 8 ingredients.
• With a spoon or a basting brush, spread seasoning paste over the chicken.
• Grill chicken.
• In a small bowl, combine all lime butter ingredients.
• Drizzle over chicken just before serving or serve separately for dipping.