For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing. If you don't have a food processor, you can finely chop the cilantro and garlic, then whisk all dressing ingredients together by hand. To save time, use store-bought crispy tortilla strips. Feel free to customize the salad with other toppings such as diced avocado, chopped tomatoes, or red onion.
The Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe Salad
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PREP TIME30 mins
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COOK TIME20 mins
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TOTAL TIME1 hrs 55 mins
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SERVING4 People
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VIEWS12
Experience a vibrant explosion of Southwestern flavors with this Santa Fe Salad, a delightful recreation of the popular Cheesecake Factory favorite. Packed with juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and a creamy peanut-cilantro dressing, this salad is a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate67 g
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Cholesterol102 mg
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Fiber13 g
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Protein50 g
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Saturated Fat15 g
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Sodium2101 mg
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Sugar20 g
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Fat59 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
StepMarinate Chicken: In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the chicken breasts and teriyaki marinade. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor).
02
StepPrepare Dressing: Combine cilantro, peanut butter, red wine vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, sesame oil, and lime zest in a food processor. Blend until well combined. Gradually pour in 1/2 cup olive oil, blending until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Add pepper and blend briefly to incorporate. (Prep time: 15 minutes)
03
StepToast Tortilla Strips: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread corn tortilla strips on a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of olive oil (or to taste). (Prep time: 5 minutes)
04
StepBake Tortilla Strips: Bake in the preheated oven until the tortilla strips are crispy and golden brown. (Bake time: 5-10 minutes)
05
StepCook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken breasts and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and let cool slightly until easy to handle. Slice the chicken into thin strips. (Cook time: 15-20 minutes)
06
StepAssemble Salad: In a large bowl, toss together the corn, black beans, and chopped romaine lettuce. Top with shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sliced chicken, and crispy tortilla strips. Drizzle generously with the peanut-cilantro dressing. Serve immediately. (Assembly time: 5 minutes)
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Edward Glover
Jun 25, 2025I added some grilled bell peppers and onions to the salad for extra flavor and it was amazing!
Valentin Mccullough
Jun 21, 2025This recipe is spot on! Tastes just like the Santa Fe Salad at The Cheesecake Factory. The dressing is the key!
Rosella Sporer
Jun 9, 2025I made this for a potluck and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the unique flavor of the peanut-cilantro dressing.
Selmer Johnston
May 24, 2025Easy to follow recipe and the salad is delicious! I will definitely be making this again.