Mexican Chopped Salad with Jalapeño Dressing

This Mexican Chopped Salad with Jalapeño Dressing recipe is one of those healthy and delicious salads we should eat more often.

I love a good salad. And I love spicy dishes. So this Mexican Chopped Salad with Jalapeño Dressing recipe checks both those boxes. This salad is one of those healthy and delicious salads we should eat more often.

For a little protein, this salad includes some delicious chicken. Also included in some Mexican Hominy just like I used in my Mexican Black Bean and Hominy Salad.

💭 What is Hominy

If you've never heard of Hominy, It's basically corn that has been treated. If you are curious about how it's made check out this explanation on Wikipedia. Personally, I use the canned hominy for my recipes. Cheap and easy to find at most local grocery stores.

As far as the chicken goes, you can either cook yours from raw, use frozen chicken tenders are even buy one of those freshly baked chickens from your local grocery store. If you are going to be handling raw chicken, make sure you practice safe food handling.

🌶 How to Handle Hot Peppers

The capsaicin in hot peppers is what makes peppers hot. If you handle hot peppers gloveless, it’s a guarantee that you’re in for a nasty case of chili burn, both on your fingers and anywhere you rub. Like your face. Ouch!

Even if you wear disposable gloves, be careful about what you touch. The gloves are going to protect your fingers, but touching any part of your body with the gloves after you’ve handled hot peppers can lead to severe chili burn. Resist the temptation to rub your eyes. Wait until you’ve removed your gloves and washed your hands thoroughly with soap.

🐓 How to Handle Raw Chicken

Leave the chicken in the fridge until ready to use.
Be careful of dripping juices. Clean up immediately.
Do not wash raw chicken (which prevents cross-contamination).
Wash all utensils and cutting boards (if applicable).
If marinating the chicken, make sure you toss the juices before you cook. Don't ever use the juice from the marinade.
Wash your hands after handling raw chicken.

🥑 How to cut an Avocado

The Scoville Scale is the measurement that tells you the spiciness of a given type of pepper.

Pepper Type	Scoville Rating (Heat)
Bell Pepper	0-0
Banana Pepper	0-500
Poblano Pepper	1000-1500
Jalapeño Pepper	2500-8000
Serrano Peppers	10,000-25,000
Manzano Pepper	12,000-30,000
Tabasco & Cayenne	30,000-50,000
Habanero Pepper	100,000-300,000
Ghost Pepper	855,000-1,000,000
Carolina Reaper	1,500,000-2,300,000

💭 Recipe Tip

Don't you hate it when raisins get stuck together in a big clump? To unstick the raisins, wet your hands with a little water then work the raisins apart.

📋 Gather your Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this Mexican Chopped Salad with Jalapeno Dressing recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Pickled Jalapeños, Mayonnaise, Mexican Crema, Fresh Cilantro, Lime Juice, Paprika, Milk, White Hominy, Cayenne Pepper, Romaine Lettuce, Chicken Breasts, Mango, Avocados, Grape Tomatoes, Yellow Bell Pepper and Raisins.

🥣 How to Make Mexican Chopped Salad with Jalapeno Dressing

MAKE THE JALAPEÑO DRESSING

Combine first 6 ingredients. Add milk for desired consistency. Cover and chill till ready to serve

PREPARE THE HOMINY

Cook hominy medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes. stirring. sprinkly with cayenne

ASSEMBLE THE SALAD

In a large serving bowl, combine the hominy and the rest of the ingredients. top with dressing, queso fresco and tortilla strips.