Easy Ensalada de Pollo
Ensalada de pollo is a colorful and delicious Mexican-style chicken salad accompanied by an array of veggies and a harmonious lime dressing. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a main course, outdoor adventure, or meal prep. The addition of potatoes and carrots offers a delightful Mexican twist, while the use of rotisserie chicken makes preparation a breeze.
This post contains affiliate links.
Jump to Recipe
Ensalada de pollo: a flavorful and festive chicken salad that’s sure to delight your taste buds and become your new go-to dish for any occasion!
With Ensalada de Pollo, you’ll not only learn a new Spanish word but also discover the rich flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine. Plus, the best part? It’s a fun and fancy version of chicken salad that’s sure to impress!
Why we love this salad!
Nelson and I love enjoying tostadas or sandwiches packed with Ensalada de Pollo after a bike workout. While spending refreshing and relaxing time outdoors with loved ones is wonderful, it is even better if accompanied by delicious, effortless recipes.
This Mexican-style chicken salad is also a beach classic meal prep recipe – we never leave for the beach without it, especially on days when we want a light, satisfying meal that allows us to enjoy the ocean to the fullest. Plus, as Mexicans, we know that a great salad is a must-have for any gathering, whether it’s a carne asada event, potluck, or party. Meal-prep recipes like this Ensalada de Pollo make all the difference between fun and convenience, even when the umbrella is giving up to the gusty wind.
We love showing off our cooking skills with this dish, along with other favorites like Mexican chopped salad, potato salad, bean salad, and pasta salad.
Ingredients for chicken salad
Shredded cooked chicken – You can either use a whole rotisserie chicken for convenience, or cook your own in boiling water with aromatics. Another option is to use leftover chicken from your fridge.
Gold potatoes – Naturally sweet and buttery with a stunning gold color.
Carrots – Diced , they add a sweet and crunchy texture, while also contributing a pop of color to the dish.
Green peas – Adds sweetness, creamy texture, color, and also nutrients.
Corn – Complements lime, cheese, cilantro, mayo, and crema Mexicana, just like in a Street Corn Recipe or Esquite.
Red onion – Sweeter than yellow and white onions, with a mild flavor and crunchy texture that provides a perfect contrast in a salad.
Cabbage – Offers the perfect crunch, mild flavors, and also a versatility that pairs well with different ingredients by being resistant to both heat and cold.
Cilantro – Adds bright, citrusy, and fresh flavors.
The BEST chicken salad dressing
Mayonnaise – Binds, adds creaminess, flavor, and moisture, all essential qualities for the BEST Chicken Salad.
Mexican crema – Complements mayonnaise with its mild sweetness, creaminess and authenticity to Mexican flavors.
Dijon mustard – Adds tanginess and a fresh spicy kick.
Lime zest and juice – Adds brightness, acidity, opens up flavors, and is aromatic, with a less sweet taste than lemons.
Salt – Enhances flavor and texture of food.
Black pepper – Adds depth of flavor and enhances aroma.
Cotija cheese – Made from cow’s milk, with a salty flavor and crumbly in texture, originating from Cotija, Michoacán, Mexico.
How to make chicken salad from scratch
Step one: Cook the carrots in simmering salted water for 3 minutes, then add the potatoes and cook both until tender but not mushy, 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool down.
Step two: In a large bowl, combine the chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, onion, cabbage, and cilantro.
Step three: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients (mayo, cream, mustard, zest, lime juice, salt and pepper) until well combined. Then, add crumbled cheese and dressing to the large bowl and toss to coat. Season with additional salt if needed.
Step four: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step five: Serve the chicken salad on a tostada, accompanied by pickled jalapeños, and topped with your favorite hot sauce. Alternatively, serve as a sandwich on white bread or croissant.
How to serve this chicken salad
1. On tostadas
2. Sandwich style: your preferred bread or croissant
3. With saltine crackers or Saladitas (Mexican cracker)
4. In a wrap
5. On a bed of lettuce
When serving your delicious chicken salad on a tostada, take it to the next level by pairing it with tangy pickled jalapeños and topping it off with your favorite hot sauce. The spicy kick from the jalapeños complement the creamy chicken salad, creating a delightful flavor combination that will leave you craving more.
Plus, the crunchy texture of the tostadas provides a satisfying base for the soft chicken salad, making for a delightful contrast of textures in each bite.
Chicken salad substitutions
- Potatoes – Gold potatoes are my top choice, but russet and red potatoes are close seconds. Russet potatoes offer similar flavors, while red potatoes add a stunning red color, making them another great option.
- Veggies – Experiment with different veggies like celery, bell peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, and avocados to add texture and color.
- Red onion – White onion is a great substitute, and more authentic to Mexican cuisine than yellow onion.
- Cabbage – Either iceberg or romaine lettuce can be used as alternatives.
- Mexican crema – Sour cream can be used, but it’s tangier, so reduce the amount of lime juice used.
- Dijon mustard – Yellow mustard is a suitable substitute.
- Cotija cheese – If unavailable, use either Queso Fresco or feta/parmesan cheese (reduce lime juice if using feta).
Have you tried this Ensalada de Pollo or any other
Villa Cocina recipe?
1. Rate the recipe and leave a comment below – we love hearing your thoughts!
2. Share your photos on INSTAGRAM and tag us – we’d love to re-post them on our stories!
Your feedback and photos help us create more delicious recipes for you to enjoy!
Click icon above to visit our Instagram page.
Recipe Video Tutorial
Below is my easy to follow video tutorial on how to make this Ensalada de Pollo. It will give you an additional in-depth knowledge and the visuals of the step-by-step process to enhance your understanding on this wonderful meal-prep recipe. Plus, the exciting ingredients will inspire you to make this delicious chicken salad ! You will also find the video down in the recipe card.
If you enjoyed the video please SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube channel and don’t forget to click the bell icon so you get a notification every time we post a brand new video. Thank you!
Make-ahead, Meal-prep
Busy days just got brighter with this make-ahead Ensalada! Meal-prep is so essential and also a time saver, allowing you to focus on what’s important to you. Store it in the fridge and enjoy a flavorful, light meal whenever you’re ready. Plus, making it ahead allows the flavors to mingle and intensify, making the salad even more delicious.
Food safety – Storage TIPS!
When it comes to storing your delicious chicken salad, food safety should be a top priority! Transfer the chicken salad to an airtight container, then store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days depending on how fresh the cooked chicken is. According to the USDA, cooked chicken can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Amazon Storefront
Explore my amazon storefront, where you’ll find all the products I use and love for my recipes! From kitchen essentials to cooking staples. Check it out and discover the tools that help me create delicious meals every day.
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Explore more recipes:
- Pork loin tostadas
- Chile relleno casserole
- Enchiladas
- Sheet pan fajitas
- Beef taquitos dorados
- Bistec Ranchero
Share the deliciousness of this Ensalada de Pollo with friends and family, while making memories on special occasions, where flavor and harmony come together. This recipe has both simplicity and taste, allowing you to customize it to your liking with your favorite ingredients. It offers both classic Mexican flavors, and visually appealing presentation, this dish is sure to impress! For me, this recipe is a winner when it comes to flavor – a perfect combination of traditional Mexican flavors with a fancy twist!
Easy Ensalada de Pollo
8
servings15
minutes10
minutes25
minutesEnsalada de pollo is a colorful and delicious Mexican-style chicken salad accompanied by an array of veggies and a harmonious lime dressing. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a main course, outdoor adventure, or meal prep.
Ingredients
4 cups 4 rotisserie chicken, shredded
2 ea 2 gold potatoes, medium diced
4 ea 4 carrots, medium diced
8 oz 8 green peas, thawed
8 oz 8 corn, thawed
1/2 ea 1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 head 1/4 cabbage, finely shredded
1/2 ea 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
- Dressing
3/4 cup 3/4 mayonnaise
3/4 cup 3/4 Mexican crema
2 TBSP 2 dijon mustard
1 ea 1 lime zest
2 TBSP 2 lime juice
1 tsp 1 kosher salt
To taste To ground black pepper
1/2 cup 1/2 cotija cheese, crumbled
Directions
- Cook the carrots in simmering salted water for 3 minutes, then add the potatoes and cook both until tender but not mushy, 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool down.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, onion, cabbage, and cilantro.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients (mayo, cream, mustard, zest, lime juice, salt and pepper) until well combined. Add crumbled cheese and dressing to the large bowl and toss to coat. Season with additional salt if needed.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the chicken salad on a tostada, accompanied by pickled jalapeños and topped with your favorite hot sauce. Alternatively, serve as a sandwich on white bread or croissant.
The chicken salad looks great. Gonna try this indeed. Trish Miller
Great! go for it, you will love it.