Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad — Cooks of all levels can create a delicious and healthy dish in their air fryer with this recipe for Air Fryer Chilli’s Copycat Santa Fe Chicken Salad. Spicy chicken is combined with black beans, corn, and tomatoes to create a flavorful salad perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Best of all, you can make this dish in under 30 minutes! So why not give it a try today?

Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad
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The air fryer is the appliance of the moment, and for a good reason – it makes crispy food without all the added oil. This Chilli’s Santa Fe chicken salad is an excellent example of how you can use your air fryer to create a healthy and delicious meal. Plus, it’s a copycat recipe, so you can enjoy this salad anytime you want!

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What Is Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Do you love salads but are looking for something a little more exciting than the same old greens? Then it would help if you tried a Santa Fe chicken salad.

This flavorful dish is packed with delicious ingredients like black beans, corn, and tomatoes, and it’s perfect for a picnic or packing in your lunch box. So what are you waiting for? Try this tasty salad today!

What Is In A Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad?

Do you love the Santa Fe chicken salad from Chili’s? If so, you will love this recipe for making it at home. It is simple and only takes a few ingredients.

There are four main components to a Santa Fe Chicken Salad from Chili’s:

  • Air-Fried Chicken: This is an excellent place for a healthy and straightforward chicken to shine. Nothing cooks chicken like the air fryer. I used olive oil, Taco Seasoning, and some salt and black pepper-like Chili’s.
  • Pico de Gallo: If you have never made Pico de Gallo Chili’s is one of the best, it’s simple with only a few ingredients. If you do not want to make your own, you can easily purchase the store-bought brand, and some great ones are Goya Salsa Pico de Gallo or Whole Foods Simple Pico de Gallo.
  • Santa Fe Sauce or Dressing: This is a great salad dressing or sauce, but you can easily use it on any other protein. My kids love this sauce for their Air Fryer French Fries or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
  • Salad: It’s a simple salad with Romine Lettuce, Ranch Dressing, Avocados, and Tortilla Strips.
Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

How To Make Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Rub olive oil, taco seasoning, and salt and pepper on the chicken breast. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil and place the chicken inside.

Cook in the air fryer at 360˚F for 9 minutes. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Cook for another 6-9 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breast. Set aside and let cool, then slice the chicken thinly.

Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Meanwhile, mix the pico de gallo and the Santa Fe sauce in another bowl.

When ready to serve salad, toss lettuce with ranch dressing, then top with pico de gallo, sliced chicken, avocado, and tortilla strips. Drizzle Santa Fe sauce over the top, then serve.

Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Chili’s Santa Fe Salad Recipe Tips FAQs

Summertime is when salads shine. They’re light, refreshing, and perfect for hot days. But if you’re not sure how to make the most of your salads, you may be missing out on some of their best potential. Here are some tips to help you create delicious salads that are as satisfying as healthy.

  • Chicken: Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
  • Salad: You can use either romaine lettuce or a mesclun mix. The key is to wash the lettuce and dry it off completely before adding it to the bowl. A great gadget to have for making homemade salads is a salad spinner.
  • Taco Seasoning: You can either use homemade taco seasoning or store-bought. Either will work.
Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Ideas to make this salad vegetarian

Salads are a great way to enjoy vegetables, and they can be made vegetarian by using different ingredients.

If you want to eliminate the chicken, you can add beans for a protein source, some Air Fryer Tofu, Air Fryer Tex Mex Chickpeas, or even some Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs.

How To Store Salads

This is a great and easy recipe that you can bring to work or school with you. Make the salad as directed, and then place it into an airtight container. Keep the sad dressing and the sauce separate until right before serving for best results.

How to Freeze Salads

This is a great and quick meal, but I would not recommend freezing the salad. You may, however, freeze the chicken for later. Let it cool to room temperature, and then place it into a freezer bag or freezer-safe container to freeze the chicken. It will last for about 2 to 3 months.

Defrost the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. Then either serve cold with your salad or reheat the chicken.

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Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Air Fryer Copycat Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings

Description

Chili's is known for their delicious southwestern dishes, and their Santa Fe chicken salad is no exception! If you're looking for a tasty and healthy salad to enjoy, this air fryer copycat recipe is perfect for you. It's easy to make and packed with flavor. Give it a try today!

Ingredients 

Chicken:

  • 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Pico de Gallo:

  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 large lime, juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Santa Fe Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 large lime, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Salad:

  • 1 head romaine lettuce
  • 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
  • 1 large avocado, sliced
  • 1/4 cup tortilla strips

Instructions

  • Rub olive oil, taco seasoning and salt and pepper on the chicken breast. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil and place the chicken inside.
  • Cook in the air fryer at 360˚F for 9 minutes. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Cook for another 6-9 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breast. Set aside and let cool, then slice chicken thinly
  • Meanwhile, mix together ingredients for the pico de gallo in one bowl and the santa fe sauce in another.
  • When ready to serve salad, toss lettuce with ranch dressing, then top with pico de gallo, sliced chicken, avocado and tortilla strips. Drizzle santa fe sauce overtop then serve.
  • Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Salad Bowl
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 856kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 44gFat: 63gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 24gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 128mgSodium: 3348mgPotassium: 2263mgFiber: 17gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 28713IUVitamin C: 53mgCalcium: 174mgIron: 5mg

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