Description
“Quick Southwest Chicken Salad – a bold, flavorful, and protein-packed meal with juicy chicken, black beans, corn, and a zesty homemade dressing. Ready in under 30 minutes!”
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or chopped
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup canned corn, drained
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips (optional)
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt (or sour cream), lime juice, olive oil, honey, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.
- Add the Chicken: Top the salad with shredded or chopped chicken and sprinkle with cheese.
- Drizzle the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips on top for extra crunch. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne to the dressing.
- Grilled Option: Use grilled chicken for a smoky flavor.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap the chicken for grilled tofu or extra beans.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative and omit the cheese.
- Creamier Dressing: Blend an extra avocado into the dressing for a richer texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: Southwestern, Mexican
Keywords: Southwest Chicken Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, Quick Salad Recipe, Mexican Chicken Salad, High-Protein Salad