Get your tastebuds ready to ride! Saddle Salad is about to take them on the wildest flavor adventure this side of the Mississippi! This yeehaw of an escapade is trailing with crispy chicken strips, tender macaroni, and a creamy tomato salsa that will have you riding the trails home as quickly as you can to fill up your bowl! You better get on home now; the dinner bell is a ringin’! Giddy on up for some Saddle Salad!
Ingredients
- 2 poblano peppers, halved lengthwise
- 1 (25-ounce) package frozen fully-cooked crispy chicken strips
- 8 ounces dried large elbow macaroni
- 1/2 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (7-ounce) can salsa taquera or 3/4 cup salsa
- 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and chopped
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Step 2 –Line a baking sheet with foil.
Step 3 –Place the peppers, cut-side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4 –Roast the peppers until their skin has blistered and charred, about 20 minutes.
Step 5 –Bring the foil up around each of the peppers and fold the edges together to enclose them.
Step 6 –Let the peppers stand until they are cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes.
Step 7 –Use a sharp knife to loosen the edges of the skins and gently pull them off and discard.
Step 8 –Discard the stems, seeds, and the membranes from the peppers.
Step 9 –Chop the peppers.
Step 10 –While the peppers are cooling, cook the chicken according to the package directions.
Step 11 –Also while the peppers are cooling, in a large pot of boiling water, cook the macaroni to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 12 –Drain the macaroni and rinse it well under cold water.
Step 13 –Cut the cooked chicken into 1/2-inch-thick pieces.
Step 14 –In a large bowl, add the cream cheese and 1/2 of the salsa and beat with an electric mixer on low speed, gradually beating in the remaining salsa, until it is combined.
Step 15 –Add the chopped peppers and the cooked macaroni to the salsa mixture and toss to combine.
Step 16 –Gently fold the avocado and the chicken pieces into the salsa mixture.
Step 17 –Serve.
