Grilled Chicken, Corn, and Black Bean Salad

I could eat this salad every night of the week. Please don’t be scared of the long ingredient list! This salad can be a full meal in a bowl, or you can serve it as deconstructed parts or as a simplified version (see notes). Each component bursts with flavor and color. Not a cilantro fan? No problem. Just substitute with parsley for the same great results.

1h 30m 6
Easy Gluten Free Meat

Contains: Egg

Directions

Prepare the Dressing

  1. With an immersion blender, purée lime juice and zest, cilantro, honey, garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in oil and blend until emulsified and smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Prepare the Chicken

  1. In a zip-top bag, combine oil, lime juice, chili powder, garlic, sugar, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and coat with the marinade. Marinate at least one hour and up to overnight in the refrigerator.

  2. Preheat gas grill or grill pan to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease grates. Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade) and grill over indirect low heat for about four minutes per side, or until cooked through. Set aside.

Prepare the Corn

  1. Break corn cobs in half and brush with oil. Grill over medium heat until cooked and charred in some places.

  2. In a small dish, whisk honey, mayonnaise, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, salt, and cilantro. When corn comes off the grill, immediately brush this mixture onto it. Sprinkle with cilantro and set aside.

Prepare the Salad

  1. On a platter or in a bowl, place the lettuce, red pepper, black beans, onions, and avocado. Toss with some dressing. Add the grilled chicken and corn (either on the cob or cut off the cob; I do some of each!) and drizzle with more dressing. Serve immediately.

Credits

Notes:
Black beans: To serve black beans as a side dish instead of using them in a salad, rinse two (15-ounce) cans black beans and set aside. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add one tablespoon olive oil and cook one chopped and seeded jalapeño in a pan until softened. Add beans, one teaspoon cumin, kosher salt, and pepper to taste, and about 1/4 cup water. Simmer five minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.

Simple version: Prepare the dressing and chicken as directed. For the salad, use rinsed black beans and a can of corn along with the rest of the ingredients. Want the super simple version? Use leftover roasted or grilled chicken.

Description:
Photography by Chay Berger

Suggested Recipes

Explore

black beans corn corn salad Elizabeth Kurtz grilled chicken meal in one
Did you make this recipe yet?

Photos from Our Community

See how these recipes turned out in real kitchens. Photos from home cooks will appear here as they're shared.

Tell Us How It Went: Share Your Experience

0 Comments