Description
Fire up your grill for this vibrant Grilled Chicken Fajita Salad! Juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a zesty lime-cilantro blend, then grilled alongside smoky bell peppers and onions. Served over crisp romaine with creamy avocado and a drizzle of sour cream, this healthy, gluten-free salad packs all the bold flavors of sizzling fajitas without the tortillas. Perfect for low-carb lunches, weeknight dinners, or meal prep — it’s a fiesta in every bite!
Ingredients
- Marinade/Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 100 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to spice preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Salad:
- 4 boneless chicken thigh fillets, skin removed
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 5 cups Romaine lettuce (or cos lettuce), washed and dried
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 1 pinch cilantro, extra to garnish
- 1 pinch sour cream (optional, to serve)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, chopped cilantro, crushed garlic, brown sugar, red chili flakes, ground cumin, and salt to make the marinade/dressing.
- Place chicken thighs in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, reserving the other half for dressing. Let chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge).
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
- Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, until charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
- While chicken rests, toss sliced bell peppers and onion with a drizzle of olive oil. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until tender and lightly charred.
- In a large bowl, arrange Romaine lettuce. Top with grilled chicken strips, grilled peppers and onions, and sliced avocado.
- Drizzle with the reserved marinade (dressing). Garnish with extra cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tips: For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the marinade. Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps it juicy. Substitutions: Use chicken breast instead of thighs (adjust cooking time). Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternative. Make it vegan by substituting grilled tofu or portobello mushrooms. Storage: Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat chicken and veggies before assembling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: B
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: grilled chicken fajita salad, low carb, healthy, summer, gluten free