Chipotle Chicken Dense Bean Salad Recipe

This crunchy, smoky Chipotle Chicken Dense Bean Salad Recipe is made with diced chicken, black beans, and a spicy vinaigrette, ready in just 20 minutes. The magic happens when the dressing soaks into the beans, creating a marinated meal prep bowl that gets better over time. I love having this ready for easy lunches all week.

Better Than Takeaway

I used to grab burrito bowls for lunch, but they often turned soggy by the time I got to my desk. Making this dense bean salad at home solves that problem because the hearty vegetables and beans actually improve while sitting in the dressing.

Another surprise was how much money I saved by skipping the daily takeout line. You get the same smoky chipotle punch and creamy cotija finish without the extra delivery fees or waiting in line.

Jump to Recipe

Chipotle Chicken Dense Bean Salad Recipe Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 red bell pepper, diced small
• 1 cup corn kernels, thawed or roasted
• 1/2 English cucumber, diced (seeds removed)
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled

For the Dressing:

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1 tsp salt

How To Make Chipotle Chicken Dense Bean Salad Recipe

1. Prep The Base: Chop the chicken, bell pepper, cucumber, and red onion into uniform, small bite-sized pieces to ensure every spoonful has a mix of textures.
2. Mix The Dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced chipotle peppers, honey, spices, garlic, and salt in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
3. Assemble The Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained beans, corn, chicken, chopped vegetables, cilantro, and cotija cheese.
4. Toss and Soak: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss vigorously to coat everything evenly, then let it sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Recipe Tips

• Drain Well: Thoroughly rinse and dry the beans to prevent the salad from becoming watery at the bottom of the container.
• Chop Uniformly: Keeping veggies and chicken the same size as the beans ensures the perfect texture in every bite.
• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers in adobo up or down depending on your heat tolerance.

What To Serve With Chipotle Chicken Dense Bean Salad

Serve this salad with a side of salty tortilla chips for scooping, acting almost like a hearty dip. It also pairs perfectly with half an avocado sliced on top to add creaminess right before eating.

How To Store

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The acid in the dressing keeps the vegetables crisp, making it an ideal meal prep option.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes, using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds excellent flavor. Just remove the skin and dice the meat into small cubes.

Is this salad spicy?

It has a moderate kick from the chipotle peppers, but you can control the heat. Use less adobo sauce or remove the seeds from the peppers for a milder version.

Can I make this vegan?

Absolutely, just omit the chicken and cheese or replace them with cubed tofu and a vegan feta alternative. The beans provide plenty of protein on their own.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 850mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 38g
• Protein: 28g