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Mexican Inspired Mango Salad with Avocado Dressing

Mexican Inspired Mango Salad with a creamy avocado dressing, cilantro lime chicken and deliciously filling quinoa and beans. This is a loaded salad full of texture and healthy ingredients. We've got the fresh greens, crunchy tortilla chips, creamy avocado dressing and of course the soft and sweet mango - all in one bowl!

 

Big white bowl with ingredients like diced mango, sliced chicken, tortila chips and avocado slices.

 

 

This is proof that healthy salads don't have to be boring. Loaded salads are my life motto, as you may have noticed in this lemon chicken winter salad I posted a few weeks ago, or this healthy pasta salad with tomatoes and zucchini. Why have a boring salad when you can have a loaded one?

 

Usually, when I think of Mexican cuisine it's cheesy enchiladas, quesadillas or tacos, maybe a soup, or chili con carne (or chili sin carne) but why can't we make a Mexican inspired salad as well?

 

The elements to make a perfect salad

 

There are 5 elements to a perfect salad, and they are

 

  1. The something green
  2. Something crunchy
  3. Something sweet
  4. And something creamy
  5. ...and don't forget the dressing!

 

This is always what I work from. In this case, the something green is a mixture of red rhubarb, spinach and arugula. Something crunchy is snappy red onion and tortilla chips. The something sweet is obviously the delicious mango. The something creamy is both the dressing, avocado and cotija/feta cheese. The dressing is the most fabulous avocado herb dressing, so we are doubling the avocado today!

 

My favorite Mexican condiment is by far this fresh and spicy guacamole, but I think it's a little too thick as a salad dressing. I've used the avocado herb sauce that I'm also using on my healthy baked falafel, in this recipe. You absolutely cannot go wrong with avocado and herbs!

 

If you crave a mango salad another day as well, go for a more Italian inspired mango salad with burrata and prosciutto. That is so easy and quick to make too!

 

Mexican Inspired Mango Salad in a huge white bowl. Ingredients separated.

 

And if you want a salad to become more than just a side salad, I like to add 2 more elements:

 

  1. Protein
  2. Grains

 

The protein in this case is the cilantro lime chicken, and if you're one of those that thinks cilantro tastes like soap (more on that below), you are free to omit the cilantro, or use parsley instead. No judging! Or you can try the lemon chicken (but with lime) in this lemon chicken winter salad. The beans are also rich in protein, not to mention ultra delicious.

 

I also like to add some grains, to make the salad more filling as a main course, as I've done in this Halloumi and Garlic Roasted Vegetables Quinoa Salad.

 

So why does cilantro taste like soap to someone?

 

This is really interesting. Everyone in my family thinks cilantro is the best thing ever. But then there's my boyfriend, who loathes fresh cilantro (yes, obviously there's a difference between dry coriander and the fresh herbs!) and several of my friends. Evidently, cilantro can taste like soap due to genetics.

 

14% of the population, find cilantro (or coriander) unpleasant or even terrible. Scientists have found a set of genes related to smell and taste that are responsible for this effect. Some of these genes are related to the smell, and some for the bitter taste. To read a more thorough explanation of this, I can recommend this article.

 

Because there are a percentage difference between different cultures, it seems like the differences can be cultural and environmental also - but for the most part it's your parents fault!

 

A white bowl with mango, feta cheese, avocado slices, rice and beans and chicken.

 

The best avocado herb dressing with lime and garlic

 

A flavor bomb that is all just dump-in-the-food processor-easy. I'm in love with all the flavors here; ranging from fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley (again, if cilantro is soapy, add more parsley), garlic, fresh lime and a little spicy chili. Add all the ingredients into a food processor and mix. If you find the dressing too thin, add in some almonds, and more water if you think it's too thick. No magic tricks here!

 

Avocado Herb Dressing in a small white jug. Half a lime on the side.

 

How to Make Mango Salad with Black Beans and Quinoa

 

To make this mango salad extra flavorful, we marinate the chicken in a cilantro lime marinade for 30 minutes. During this time, it's time to cook the quinoa. Cook the quinoa with salt, garlic and cumin for extra flavor. Once it's done and you have fluffed it with a fork, mix in the beans.

 

The other mango salad ingredients are just chop chop chopping like you wish. I like to slice the avocado, crumble the cheese, dicing the mango and cucumber, and finely chop the onion.

 

There are usually not much needed to get that extra burst of flavor, making a boring salad into something delicious and flavorful. In comes the extra spice in the quinoa, which takes approximately 10 extra seconds to make. The chicken marinade also gives it more flavor and I am loving these simple tricks to delicious salads!

 

Enjoy with a refreshing glass of hibiscus tea or a Blood Orange Margarita on the side! Scroll down for a printable version of the recipe.

 

Loaded Mexican salad with mango, chicken, tortilla chips and quinoa.

 

Did you like this mango salad? Here's more delicious salad recipes:

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later! To make sure you’re never missing another recipe, please feel free to subscribe to my newsletter. As a thanks you will receive a free e-cookbook Travels Through the Seasons, with many delicious recipes from around the world that suit different seasons of the year. 

 

In order to keep the blog up and running this post may contain affiliate links, it will be at no extra cost to you, please read the disclosure for more information.

 

📖 Recipe

Mango salad with chicken, tortilla chips, avocado and more. Flatlay.

Mexican Mango Salad with Cilantro Lime Chicken and Avocado Herb Dressing

Yield: 3
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Mexican Inspired Mango Salad with a creamy avocado dressing, cilantro lime chicken and deliciously filling quinoa and beans.

Ingredients

Cilantro Lime Chicken

  • 1 chicken breast, large
  • 3 tablespoon chopped cilantro, or parsley*
  • 1 clove garlic, small
  • ½ lime, juice only
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne, for heat, optional
  • ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, each
  • ½ tablespoon vegetable oil, for frying

Mexican Mango Salad

  • 1 mango, small, diced
  • ½ cup diced cucumber, 75g
  • ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced, 50g
  • ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese, or feta. Optional. 40g
  • ½ avocado, sliced
  • 2 cups favorite greens, e.g. spinach, arugula, red rhubarb. 65g
  • ⅓ cup tortilla chips, A handful

Quinoa and Beans

  • ¼ cup uncooked quinoa, 45g. Rinsed in warm water.
  • ½ cup drained black beans, and rinsed. 130g weight after drained.
  • 1 clove garlic, small, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • two good pinches salt

Avocado Herb Dressing

  • ½ avocado
  • 1 cup parsley and/or cilantro, semi-packed, 30g
  • ¼ cup water, more or less for right consistency. 4 tbsp
  • 2-4 tablespoon olive oil, more or less for right consistency
  • 1 clove garlic, small, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ lime, juice only
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ red chilli optional, optional
  • a few almonds, optional, if you need to thicken the sauce

Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken: Mix all the ingredients (except for the vegetable oil) in a bowl or a ziplock bag. Add the chicken breast. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, make quinoa: Boil ½ cup (125ml) of water. Once boiling, add in rinsed quinoa, garlic, cumin, salt and give it a stir. Cook covered for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes, still covered.
  3. Add beans: Once quinoa has rested, fluff it with a fork and mix in the black beans.
  4. Prepare the avocado herb dressing: by adding everything into a food processor and process until smooth. Add in more water if you want it thinner and add in some almonds if you want it thicker.
  5. Cook the chicken breast: discard the marinade, and cook on medium high heat with a tablespoon olive oil. About 6-7 minutes on each side, depending on the size. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
  6. Prepare other salad ingredients; mango, cucumber, onion, feta or cotija cheese, the rest of the avocado, greens and tortilla chips.
  7. Serve: Mix everything together and enjoy!

Notes

* If cilantro tastes like soap to you, just use more parsley instead.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 508Total Fat: 20.5gSaturated Fat: 3.8gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 471mgCarbohydrates: 62.8gFiber: 14.9gSugar: 18gProtein: 24.3g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or tag @thegingerwithspice on Instagram, I'd love to see!

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Tiana

Wednesday 16th of June 2021

Do you think I can make the dressing with a whisk instead? I don't have a food processor. Thanks!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Thursday 17th of June 2021

Do you have a blender? You could use that. Or if you don't have that either, you can just finely chop everything and use a whisk (or shake vigorously in a jar with a lid). That should be fine. Enjoy!

Emily

Wednesday 19th of February 2020

Everything about this salad is so delicious! Very satisfying and I love the addition of fresh mango!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 24th of February 2020

Thank you so much, Emily!

Jacque Hastert

Tuesday 18th of February 2020

I am loving this salad! It has my favorites combined all into one... mexican, avocado, and mango! Yes!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 24th of February 2020

Yes! That makes me happy, Jacque.

Jenni LeBaron

Monday 17th of February 2020

This Mexican mango salad is one of those dishes that I could eat on repeat! This is packed with so much flavor, is super healthy, and works so well for lunch and dinner!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 17th of February 2020

Thank you! I love a good salad that works both for lunch and dinner!

Amy Liu Dong

Saturday 15th of February 2020

Wow, this is so healthy and delicious such a perfect salad recipe for me, will make this on this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Saturday 15th of February 2020

Thank you, I hope you'll like it!

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