Description
This Southwest Chicken Salad is the ultimate recipe for a delicious and nutritious meal. Packed with grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, black beans, corn, and a creamy Southwest dressing, this salad is a flavor explosion in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Salad Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (grilled or shredded)
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips for topping (optional)
Creamy Southwest Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Main Salad Preparation: In a large salad bowl, combine romaine, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado, red onion, cheese, and cilantro. Add the cooked chicken on top.
- Creamy Southwest Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayo, lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assembly: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Top with tortilla strips or chips if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This salad is perfect for meal prep—store the salad, chicken, and dressing separately and combine just before serving.
- You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience or swap in grilled steak, shrimp, or tofu.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (or 10 if cooking chicken)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southwest
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg