Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad!

🥬 Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

🥗 Salad:

• 3 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced

• 2 cups purple cabbage, thinly sliced

• 1 cup shredded carrots

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or roasted)

• ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

• 2 green onions, chopped

• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (grilled, roasted, or rotisserie)

• 1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional, for extra heat)

🌶️ Spicy Ranch Dressing:

• ½ cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)

• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or mayonnaise (for creaminess)

• 1 tablespoon lime juice (fresh)

• 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (like Cholula, Tapatío, or your favorite)

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken:

   • If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, season 2 chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and a bit of olive oil.

   • Grill or pan-sear for about 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F internal temperature).

   • Let cool slightly, then dice or shred.

2. Make the spicy ranch dressing:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, Greek yogurt (or mayo), lime juice, hot sauce, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

   • Taste and adjust spice level or thickness (add a splash of milk if you want it thinner).

3. Assemble the salad:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine green and purple cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, corn, black beans, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using).

   • Add the chopped chicken.

   • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.

4. Serve:

   • Garnish with extra cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or even a sprinkle of crushed tortilla chips for crunch.

   • Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 days (it keeps well because cabbage stays crisp!).

🌟 Optional Add-Ins

• Avocado slices or diced avocado

• Crumbled cotija or feta cheese

• Tortilla strips or crushed Doritos for a fun crunch

• Pickled jalapeños for tang and spice