Looking for a fun summer salad that makes good use of fresh garden produce? This Spicy Crunchy Mexican Chicken Salad is great as a light main dish, or is a yummy side dish. It makes a lot, so it’s perfect to take to a pot luck gathering or outdoor barbecue. It gets its crunch from jicama, fresh vegetables, and a package of Chili Cheese Fritos that are crushed and stirred in at the last minute. It gets spicy heat from jalapeño peppers and fajita seasoned chicken.


18 Servings

4 ears fresh corn on the cob

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves, trimmed of any fat or veins
fajita seasoning

1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups diced jicama
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup diced red onions
3 to 4 large jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and diced (1/2 to 3/4 cup)
1 cup Mexican blend cheese
1 cup reduced fat mayonnaise

9 1/4 ounces chili cheese Fritos, crushed

1. Shuck the corn, remove any silk, and cook until tender. (I use the Instant Pot where I place the ears on a rack, add 1 cup water, set the valve to sealing, and cook on manual for 3 minutes). Set aside to cool, then cut the kernels off the cobs. You should have about 2 cups corn.
2. Spray the pan of an Instant Pot with non-stick spray. Turn the pot to the Sauté setting. Sprinkle the chicken breasts liberally with fajita seasoning. Add them to the pot and brown on each side. Add the chicken bouillon and water. Cover the pot, set the valve to sealing, and set the pot to Manual for 5 minutes. When the cycle is finished, release the pressure, remove the chicken breasts, and cool. Cut the chicken into 1/2" chunks.
3. Place the corn and chicken in a large bowl along with the black beans, jicama, red bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, red onions, cheese, and mayonnaise. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, stir in the Fritos.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 254 Calories from Fat 106
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 42% Protein 19% Carb. 39%

Nutrient Amount per
Total Fat 12 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 27 mg
Sodium 390 mg
Total Carbohydrate 25 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Sugars 1 g
Protein 12 g

Vitamin A 34% Vitamin C 67% Calcium 0% Iron 10%