Southwestern Chicken Salad

This fast and fresh meal will have even your pickiest eaters asking for seconds. This is a go-to dinner for us due to its convenience. It's perfect for those nights when you find yourself running everyone here there and everywhere, but just because it's quick doesn't mean it lacks in flavor... No, this salad is delicious and so filling. Salad eaters will love it, and non-salad eaters will begin begging for this Southwestern Chicken Salad.

1 lb Boneless skinless chicken breast - cut into bite sized pieces

1 Packet of (dry) sloppy joe mix - DO NOT use the canned liquid kind

2 tbsp - Olive oil

1 Can corn - drained

1 Can black beans - drained and rinsed

1 Bag Chili Cheese Fritos

1 Bag shredded colby jack cheese

1 Head iceberg lettuce - chopped

1 Head romaine lettuce - chopped

1 Tomato - diced

Dressing:

1 C Ranch dressing

1/4 C BBQ sauce

1 packet taco seasoning

First, let's focus on the chicken. Place the bite sized pieces of chicken into a large ziplock bag. Sprinkle in the sloppy joe mix. Zip the bag up, and give it a good shake to evenly coat the chicken. Now, heat a skillet with 2 tbsp of olive oil, place the seasoned chicken in the skillet, and cook until it's done and the juices run clear. Set the chicken aside and prepare the dressing.

For the dressing add the ranch, BBQ sauce, and taco seasoning into a medium bowl, and whisk until well blended. Set the dressing aside, and prepare the salad bar.

In a large bowl mix both the romaine and iceberg, and toss so it's evenly distributed. Now, go ahead and heat up the corn and the beans. (This can be done in the microwave with the beans mixed with the corn or separately. Whatever you prefer.) Set out the diced tomato, the bag of shredded cheese, and the chips.

Here's the best part... Everyone gets to make their own salad for a customizable dinner. It's fun for the kids, and its let's the adults make something that either healthy or (more often) a big sloppy cheesy pile of goodness topped with chips.

This is how we stack our salads:

Lettuce

Cheese

Chicken

Corn and Beans

Tomatoes

Fritos

Dressing

It's so good. I hope you guys enjoy this fun fast meal on your busiest nights, just like we do!