Spicy Southwest Salad With Grilled Chicken
A flavorful, protein-packed salad inspired by the Chick-fil-A classic, featuring spicy grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and roasted poblano peppers.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Cynthia + Lila
Cynthia created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
Prep black beans, corn, and poblano peppers ahead of time for quick assembly.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 8 steps complete
Next: Heat a grill pan or skillet over…
- 01
Heat a grill pan or skillet over…
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F (190°C).
Tap card to mark done - 02
Season the chicken breast with chili powder
Season the chicken breast with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
Look for: evenly coated
Tap card to mark done - 03
Place the chicken breast on the hot…
Place the chicken breast on the hot pan and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear.
Look for: the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear
Tap card to mark done - 04
Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting…
Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
Allow: 5 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 05
Blister the poblano pepper slices for 3…
In the same skillet over medium heat, blister the poblano pepper slices for 3 to 4 minutes until tender and lightly charred around the edges.
Look for: tender and lightly charred around the edges
Tap card to mark done - 06
Layer the chopped romaine lettuce
In a large salad bowl, layer the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, and blistered poblano pepper.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Top the salad with sliced grilled chicken…
Top the salad with sliced grilled chicken breast and drizzle with the light vinaigrette.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 08
Serve immediately while the chicken is warm…
Serve immediately while the chicken is warm and the lettuce is crisp.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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