Sweet and Spicy Salad with Chipotle Ranch

When your daughter says, “This salad is way better than I thought it was going to be” … you know you have a winner! I am admittedly not a huge salad person, but I know leafy greens are good for me so I do try. And when salads are full of flavor, like in this Sweet & Spicy Salad with Chipotle Ranch, it makes eating them so much easier, even enjoyable!

With a super-tasty combo of sweet and spicy nuts, fresh avocado, soft crumbled cheese, and a dressing with a kick, this is a salad you’ll be making again and again!

Other Salad Recipes You Might Enjoy

• Mexican Citrus Salad
• Simple Grapefruit and Avocado Salad
• Cauliflower & Pomegranate Salad with a Yogurt Dressing

Sweet and Spicy Salad with Chipotle Ranch

Course: Salads

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chipotle Ranch dressing, Sweet and spicy salad

Dietary Restriction: Egg Free, Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Active Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Author: Lisa Leake

Servings (Adjust to suit): 4

Calories: 409 kcal

This Sweet and Spicy Salad with Chipotle Ranch is anything but boring with a mix of sweet and spicy nuts and a dressing that surely packs a little kick.

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Ingredients

For the Glazed Pecans

• 3/4 cup raw pecans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 dash cayenne (red) pepper

For the Chipotle Ranch Dressing

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 chipotle pepper , from a small can of Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives , or green onions, roughly chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

For the Salad and Assembly

• 1 big head lettuce, chopped (butter lettuce, Romaine or similar amount of mixed greens)
• 3/4 cup queso fresco, (Mexican cheese) freshly crumbled
• 1 small avocado, peeled, seeded, and diced

Instructions

For the Glazed Pecans

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Add the pecans to a medium mixing bowl. Mix in the oil, honey, chili powder, salt, and cayenne pepper, and stir until thoroughly combined.

3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Stir the nuts to help prevent burning and bake for 3 to 5 minutes more.

4. Allow the nuts to harden in clumps as they cool, then break them apart with your hands.

For the Chipotle Ranch Dressing

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender or small food processor and blend until smooth.

For the Salad and Assembly

1. Place greens in a large bowl and toss with glazed pecans, crumbled cheese, and diced avocado. Serve the dressing on the side (there will be extra!).

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Recipe Notes

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Sweet and Spicy Salad with Chipotle Ranch

Amount Per Serving

Calories 409 Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Fat 36g55%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Cholesterol 34mg11%

Sodium 502mg22%

Potassium 430mg12%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 10g11%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 818IU16%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 215mg22%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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