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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Salads / Cilantro Lime Salad

Cilantro Lime Salad

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 1/05/22Updated: 1/05/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

bowl of cilantro lime salad

This Southwestern Cilantro Lime Salad has a Tex Mex flair and tastes amazing. The creamy cilantro lime dressing is the star of the show. Enjoy as a main dish salad or a side salad.

overhead shot of bowl of lime cilantro salad

This cilantro lime salad is my favorite thing on the menu at the Nordstrom’s Cafe. I think I order it 95% of the time. Sometimes I get wild and crazy and order their tomato basil soup. I love this salad recipe so much I decided I needed to learn to make it at home, especially when the cafe closed down during Covid!

The cilantro lime dressing on this salad is definitely the star of the show. I love it so much I use it on the salad but I also like to coat my chicken in it for even more amazing flavor.

lime cilantro chicken salad in bowl

Salad Ingredients

  • Romaine lettuce 
  • Tomato. I dice up a tomato but you could also use cherry tomatoes.
  • Roasted red pepper. I purchase it in a jar.
  • Corn Kernels. I used canned but can also use fresh or frozen. Add in any leftover veggies you have on hand.
  • Pumpkin seeds or pepitas. Feel free to add in your favorite nut.
  • Monterey jack cheese or cotija cheese.
  • Chicken. I use boneless, skinless chicken breast but could also use any leftover or rotisserie chicken. This salad would also be delicious topped with leftover steak.
  • Additional Add ins: avocado, black beans, onions, red onion, tortilla strips, jalapeno, cucumbers, tortilla strips.
lime cilantro chicken salad ingredients

How to Make Cilantro Lime Salad

  • Make Cilantro Lime Dressing (see directions below)
  • In a large bowl combine chopped romaine lettuce, tomato, corn, red peppers, cheese and pumpkin seeds.
  • Add a few tablespoons of dressing to the cooked, chopped chicken, stir to coat chicken with dressing.
adding chicken marinade
  • Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.
  • Top with chicken.

Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing Ingredients

The dressing for this salad is a combination of:

  • Rice vinegar. You can substitute apple cider vinegar.
  • Lime juice. Fresh squeezed is preferred.
  • Garlic
  • Chipotle chilies in adobo sauce. These can be found on the Latin aisle in a can.
  • Honey
  • Olive oil. Can also use vegetable or canola.
  • Fresh Cilantro
making cilantro lime dressing

How to Make Lime Cilantro Salad Dressing

  • Rough chop cilantro with a knife.
  • Puree chilies in food processor
  • Add all dressing ingredients except oil and cilantro to blender or food processor and blend
  • Slowly add oil into processor to form emulsion
  • Add in cilantro and pulse to combine. Keep dressing in the fridge until ready to use.
lime cilantro dressing

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the cilantro lime salad dressing last?

Stored in the refrigerator it will last 5-6 days in an airtight container.

What do you serve with the salad?

When you add chicken to the cilantro lime salad it is pretty much a complete meal. I often will just add some good, crusty French Bread or No Knead Bread. It is also delicious with these easy breadsticks.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You can prepare the cilantro lime salad dressing ahead of time and chop up all the ingredients a day before but don’t assemble or dress the salad until before ready to serve. Prepped ingredients should be stored in air tight containers in the refrigerator.

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Try these other delicious salads:

  • Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad
  • House Salad
  • BBQ Chicken Salad
  • Green Chile Rice
5 from 1 vote
overhead shot of bowl of lime cilantro salad

Cilantro Lime Chicken Chop Salad

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Chopped salad with chicken and a homemade cilantro lime dressing.
serves: 8 servings
Prep:10 minutes
Cook:0 minutes
0 minutes
Total:10 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

Dressing (makes slightly more than 1 cup)

  • 1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 tsp garlic
  • 2 tsps chipotle chilies in adobo sauce chopped small
  • 2 tsps honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 cup cilantro

Salad

  • 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 tomato chopped
  • 1/2 cup roasted red pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup corn
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds toasted
  • 1 cup monterey jack cheese shredded (I accidently left it out!)
  • 2 cup Chicken cut up

Instructions

Dressing

  • Chop cilantro
  • Puree chilies in food processor
  • Add all dressing ingredients except oil and cilantro to processor and blend
  • Slowly add oil into processor to form emulsion
  • Add in cilantro and pulse to combine
  • Toss the dressing with chopped romaine lettuce, corn, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, roasted red pepper and toasted pumpkin seeds.

Tips & Notes:

The dressing , stored in the refrigerator will last 5-6 days in an airtight container.
You can prepare the salad dressing ahead of time and chop up all the ingredients a day before but don’t assemble or dress the salad until before ready to serve. Prepped ingredients should be stored in air tight containers in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 341kcal (17%) Carbohydrates: 7g (2%) Protein: 10g (20%) Fat: 31g (48%) Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g Monounsaturated Fat: 17g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 34mg (11%) Sodium: 382mg (17%) Potassium: 260mg (7%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 3619IU (72%) Vitamin C: 12mg (15%) Calcium: 130mg (13%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Salad
Cuisine:Mexican
overhead shot of bowl of lime cilantro salad
Did you make this?I love seeing what you made. Be sure to share a picture and tag @yourhomebasedmom on social media!
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Originally posted March 15, 2013

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  1. C says

    Posted on 4/9 at 11:47 am

    This looks divine!! You had me at the Lime and Cilantro…one of my favorite combo’s EVER!!! Totally pinning this!! Thanks!!!

    Reply
  2. Rae says

    Posted on 8/8 at 12:57 pm

    YUM! This is a MUST TRY! I will most definitely be putting this on a menu soon!

    Reply
  3. Becki's Whole Life says

    Posted on 4/15 at 7:08 pm

    Leigh Anne – I made this for my family tonight and we loved it. The dressing is out of this world flavorful. I only had about half the cilantro you call for and it was still great…I’m sure its even better with the whole cup. The chipotle flavor really made it, too. I forgot this was inspired by Nordstrom’s cafe. That will make my husband like it even more – its his favorite store:-). I have only eaten there once, but it was really good!

    Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 4/15 at 8:33 pm

      I am so glad you enjoyed it and that your husband did too! It’s a keeper.

      Reply
  4. Janelle says

    Posted on 4/2 at 9:08 pm

    I made this for dinner last week and my family loved it. My 8 year old even had seconds!

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 4/2 at 9:40 pm

      So glad it was a hit with your family! Thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  5. Dorene Johnson says

    Posted on 4/1 at 2:36 pm

    Just wanted to let you know on the Cilantro Lime Chicken Chopped Salad that chicken is not listed under salad ingredients. I usually look at the list of ingredients, buy them and then read the directions. I know Chicken is in the title but knowing me I would have missed it. I’m going to make this for 5 of my 7 sisters in a couple of weeks when they come to AZ. Thanks for the recipe, looks perfect for a yummy lunch.

    Reply
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