Costa Vida Chicken Salad

One of our favorite restaurants is Costa Vida. We eat there all the time and we mostly order their salads. They're so good. If there isn't a Costa Vida by you, you're really missing out! I found this recipe for a copycat version of their chicken salad. It was so good!

Printable Recipe

Costa Vida Chicken Salad

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
Chicken mixture
Cilantro lime rice
Garlic black beans
2 tomatoes, chopped
Creamy tomatillo dressing
guacamole or avocados
crispy tortilla strips

Chicken:
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Spray crock pot with cooking spray. Place chicken in crock pot. Top with remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.

Cilantro Lime Rice:
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups Minute rice
2 tsp chicken bouillon
2 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp lime juice
1/2 cup cilantro
1/4 of an onion
1/2 can green chiles

In a food processor or blender, blend together cilantro, onion, and green chiles. Pour into a medium saucepan with water. Bring to a boil and add all ingredients. Mix well. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 5-6 minutes or until rice is tender.

Garlic Black Beans:
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup tomato juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cumin
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Heat oil in a medium saucepan. Add cumin and garlic. Cook and stir until garlic starts to pop. Add remaining ingredients except cilantro. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro just before serving.

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing:
3 fresh tomatillos
juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 pkg. ranch buttermilk dressing mix
1 cup fresh cilantro
4 green onions, cut into chunks
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
4 tsp sugar

Combine all ingredients in a blender; mix well. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Tortilla Strips:
Slice 10 corn tortillas into narrow strips. Place on a baking sheet and sprinkle generously with salt. Spray with cooking spray. Place under broiler until crispy and brown.

To assemble salad, top lettuce with chicken, rice, black beans, tomatoes, dressing, guacamole, and tortilla strips.

Serves 6-8