How is Mexican chicken salad prepared?

Craving something fresh, delicious, and out of the ordinary? Let’s talk about Mexican chicken salad.

It’s perfect when you want to try something different and full of flavor, as it’s unlike any salad you’ve had before.

It combines simple, healthy, and tasty ingredients like chicken, vegetables, spices, and sauces, giving it an amazing culinary touch.

You can adjust the ingredients to your taste, adding a spicier kick or a milder version for your palate.

While the original recipe, loved by everyone in Mexico, has everything it needs, it’s still a versatile dish.

Plus, it’s a nutritious and light option, quick for lunch or dinner, and even perfect for sharing.

If you want to learn how to make it at home, stay tuned. Here’s how to prepare this cheerful and delicious salad. Take a look.

List of classic ingredients for Mexican chicken salad

To get the authentic Mexican flavor you’re looking for, be sure to include these essential ingredients:

• Shredded chicken
• Lettuce
• Cucumber
• Tomato
• Red onion
• Avocado
• Corn kernels
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Yogurt or mayonnaise
• Pepper
• Salt

These ingredients come together to create a flavorful meal with a balanced variety of tastes and a special texture.

How to make the perfect Mexican chicken salad?

The first task is to cook the chicken in a broth with salt and pepper. You can enhance the flavor by adding herbs such as bay leaf, garlic, or epazote, which give it an amazing taste. 

Once the chicken softens and cools, shred it.

You can also chop it to your liking, then combine it in a bowl with the fresh vegetables.

Cut them into cubes and add the corn kernels along with the avocado to give it a sweet and creamy touch.

Next, make a light dressing using yogurt or mayonnaise as a base. Add some lime juice, salt, and pepper.

If you want an extra freshness, incorporate chopped cilantro and serve the salad cold for a more flavorful taste.

Why are Mexican sauces important in chicken salad?

These preparations bring the dish to life, so they are essential in your Mexican chicken salad.

They add many different flavors, making it unique. With them, you get everything from spicy to tangy or smoky touches.

For example, the green sauce made with chili, tomatillos, and garlic will give it a slightly tangy and fresh taste.

This sauce pairs wonderfully with the chicken and vegetables. On the other hand, the red sauce made from tomato and dry chili offers a more intense, smoky flavor.

Spicy sauces are great for balancing out the creaminess of the avocado and mayonnaise, making their texture feel less heavy.

In the end, they’re more than just simple dressings or sides.

Regional Varieties of Chicken Salad in Mexico

In Mexico, chicken salad varies greatly depending on the region where it’s prepared, as each area has its own unique style.

From fresh versions with tropical fruits to others with more classic flavors like cactus and pineapple, there’s something for every taste.

Discover the most popular regional varieties and dare to try these combinations.

Yucatan-Style Chicken Salad

What makes Mexican chicken salad special here is the achiote. This ingredient gives it color and an unmistakable flavor.

In this version, Mexicans mix it with tomato, pickled red onion, and cilantro. The result is a fresh, flavorful dish.

This version is perfect for pairing with other spicy Yucatan dishes.

Chicken Salad with Tropical Fruits (Veracruz)

If you try the salad from this city, you’ll notice something different: it has a delicious, sweeter, and fresher taste.

This is because it’s made with delicious fruits like papaya, pineapple, and mango, giving it that special touch.

Additionally, it’s seasoned with a combination of cilantro and lime, providing the typical Caribbean flavor of the region.

Northern-Style Chicken Salad

In the north, people keep it simple, so the chicken salad is less complex than in other regions.

People in the north make it with basic, yet flavorful ingredients like tomato, jalapeño chili, and cilantro. Simple as that.

It’s then served with tortillas and beans, as is customary in this region.

Chicken Salad with Cactus (Central Mexico)

If you enjoy cooked cactus, you must try this version of chicken salad from central Mexico.

It’s very common in this region to mix shredded chicken with cactus leaves, tomatoes, cilantro, and chopped onion.

It has a slightly tangy flavor, along with nutrients, freshness, and lightness—ideal for hot days.

Chicken Salad with Pineapple and Potatoes (Guerrero)

In this region, they also make it differently: they add cooked potatoes and pineapple, creating a salty-sweet combination.

This tropical and coastal style works wonderfully. As Guerrero is very hot, no one can resist its refreshing taste.

Oaxaca-Style Chicken Salad

The flavor of Oaxaca is something else, as it includes ingredients like mole and white cheese in the chicken salad.

These are combined with fresh vegetables seasoned with epazote or other local herbs, adding the distinctive flavor of this cuisine.

Healthy Substitutes for a Low-Calorie Mexican Chicken Salad

If you’re trying to watch your calories, you can make a low-calorie Mexican chicken salad.

All you have to do is swap certain ingredients for lighter options, without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.

Here are some great substitutes to keep your salad tasty yet much healthier.

Greek Yogurt instead of Mayonnaise

This is a great switch that provides the same creaminess, more protein, and fewer calories.

Greek yogurt also offers other benefits, as it contains probiotics that aid digestion.

By using it instead of mayonnaise, you get a lighter version.

Grilled Chicken instead of Fried Chicken

Another way to cut many calories from your salad is by grilling the chicken instead of frying it.

This way, it loses the extra fats while retaining its juiciness and essential proteins.

Fresh Vegetables instead of Potatoes or Noodles

To make your chicken salad lighter and more nutritious, fill it with tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, or cucumbers.

These vegetables are low in calories and rich in fiber, which is great for your body.

Fresh Chilies instead of Creamy Sauces

If you want to add more flavor and a spicy kick without the fattening sauces, use fresh serrano or jalapeño chilies.

They have a delicious heat and are excellent for your metabolism, helping you burn fat and reduce inflammation.

Lemon and Spices instead of Commercial Dressings

Most sauces you buy at the store are full of sugar and fat. Replace them with natural dressings.

For example, lemon, which is low in calories and provides vitamin C. Other options are spices like cilantro, cumin, or pepper.

They’ll give your chicken salad an incredible taste without adding a single calorie.

Perfect Side Dishes to Serve with Mexican Chicken Salad

Want to know what goes perfectly with this meal? There are many great side options.

Here are some ideas to complement your salad and help you eat more balanced.

Corn or Flour Tortillas

These are a classic side in Mexico, and they make your chicken salad even better by letting you enjoy every fresh ingredient.

The versatility of tortillas allows you to enjoy your dish in different ways. You can make tacos for a heartier meal, for example.

Or simply serve them on the side to have a little of everything.

Brown Rice or Mexican Rice

These are also excellent sides for your chicken salad because they balance the dish while nourishing you.

Brown rice has fiber, offering a light, soft texture that you’ll love.

Mexican rice, with its tomato, garlic, and onion flavor, adds an incredibly divine touch.

Black Beans or Low-Fat Refried Beans

These are another great side option, adding plenty of fiber and protein to your fresh chicken salad.

Whether black or refried, they add a delicious earthy flavor while being filling, without increasing the calories.

Fresh Guacamole

This is a side you should definitely try with your chicken salad, as it pairs wonderfully.

Freshly made with avocado, tomato, cilantro, and lime, it gives a super smooth texture and a tangy kick.

It enhances both the freshness of the chicken and the vegetables, while providing healthy fats to the salad.

Fresh Salsas (Pico de Gallo or Green Salsa)

For another fresh and spicy touch, nothing beats these types of sides. You have several options.

Whether it’s pico de gallo, which includes chili, tomato, cilantro, and onion, or green salsa, they’ll not only add freshness but also intensify the flavors.

Are you ready to prepare your Mexican chicken salad and pair it with one of these sides?