This Southwest Chicken Salad is packed with bold flavors, juicy chicken, crunchy veggies, and a zesty dressing. It’s a perfect meal for lunch or dinner, loaded with protein and healthy ingredients!
📋 Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, diced or shredded 🍗
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed 🫘
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen) 🌽
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 🍅
- 1 red bell pepper, diced 🌶️
- 1 avocado, diced 🥑
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped 🧅
- 4 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens 🥬
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla strips, or crumbled queso fresco for garnish 🧀
For the Southwest Dressing:
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream 🥛
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 🥄
- 1 tablespoon lime juice 🍋
- 1 teaspoon chili powder 🌶️
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin 🌿
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 🌿
- Salt and pepper to taste 🧂
- Optional: A pinch of cayenne for heat 🌶️
📝 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- Cook the chicken:
- If you haven’t already cooked the chicken, season the breasts with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Grill, bake, or pan-fry until fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F). Let it cool, then dice or shred the chicken.
2. Assemble the Salad:
- Prepare the salad base:
- In a large salad bowl, add the romaine lettuce or mixed greens.
- Add the toppings:
- Top the greens with the diced chicken, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and fresh cilantro.
3. Make the Dressing:
- Mix the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt or sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using) until smooth and creamy.
4. Serve:
- Dress the salad:
- Drizzle the Southwest dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Add garnishes:
- Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla strips, or crumbled queso fresco if desired.
5. Enjoy:
- Serve immediately:
- Serve this Southwest Chicken Salad immediately for a fresh, flavorful meal!
⏱️ Preparation Time: 15 minutes
⏱️ Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes (for chicken)
⏱️ Total Time: 25-30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4 servings
🔥 Calories: Approximately 350-400 kcal per serving (without garnishes)
This Southwest Chicken Salad is the perfect combination of fresh, crunchy vegetables, tender chicken, and a creamy, zesty dressing. It’s healthy, hearty, and packed with flavor! 🥗🍗🌽