Description
This Southwest Chicken Salad is a delicious and nutritious meal packed with fresh vegetables, lean protein, and bold flavors. Featuring juicy grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and creamy avocado, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing, it’s perfect for meal prep, lunch, or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken (grilled or shredded)
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ½ cup bell peppers, diced
- 1 avocado, sliced
For the Southwest Dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Topping:
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or cotija)
- Fresh cilantro
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: If not already cooked, season chicken with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Grill or cook in a skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side until fully cooked. Let it rest, then slice or shred.
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and bell peppers.
- Add the chicken: Top the salad with the sliced or shredded chicken.
- Drizzle with dressing: Toss everything gently until well coated.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and tortilla strips. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, grill the corn before adding it to the salad.
- Store the dressing separately to keep leftovers fresh.
- Make it vegetarian by swapping chicken for grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (if cooking chicken)
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: No-Cook (if using pre-cooked chicken)
- Cuisine: Southwest, Mexican-Inspired