Craving a salad that’s anything but boring?
This Southwest Chicken Salad is bursting with smoky, zesty flavors, hearty ingredients, and a creamy yet tangy dressing.
Whether you need a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this recipe has you covered!
Packed with protein from grilled chicken, fiber-rich black beans, sweet corn, and creamy avocado, this salad is both nutritious and delicious.
Toss it with a homemade zesty chipotle lime dressing, and you have a restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes.
Let’s dive into this fresh and filling Tex-Mex favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Southwest Chicken Salad
- Packed with flavor – Smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors come together perfectly.
- Loaded with nutrients – High in protein, fiber, and healthy fats for a balanced meal.
- Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable – Adjust the spice level, switch up the protein, or make it vegetarian!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salad:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 6 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens, chopped
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
For the Creamy Chipotle Dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (or mayo for a richer dressing)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or ½ teaspoon smoked paprika for a milder version)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
How to Make Southwest Chicken Salad
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the seasoning onto the chicken breasts.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice or shred it.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado.
- Add the shredded or sliced chicken on top.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, chipotle powder, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
- Drizzle the chipotle dressing over the salad.
- Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Top with shredded cheese and crispy tortilla strips for extra crunch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Customization & Variations
- Make It Spicy – Add diced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Protein Swaps – Try grilled shrimp, tofu, or steak instead of chicken.
- Dairy-Free Option – Skip the cheese and use a dairy-free dressing.
- Low-Carb Version – Omit the beans and tortilla strips for a keto-friendly salad.
- Vegetarian Version – Replace the chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or extra black beans.
What to Serve with Southwest Chicken Salad
This salad is hearty enough on its own, but you can serve it with:
- Warm flour or corn tortillas
- Cilantro lime rice
- Mexican street corn (Elote)
- A refreshing mango salsa
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
- Meal Prep Friendly – Store components separately and assemble when ready to eat.
- Refrigeration – Keep the salad (without dressing) in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Dressing Storage – Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Avoid Soggy Salads – Add avocado and tortilla chips just before serving.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! Just store the ingredients separately and assemble when ready to eat. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the salad from getting soggy.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Shredded rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option.
How do I make this salad gluten-free?
Ensure your tortilla strips are gluten-free or omit them entirely. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Healthy Southwest Chicken Salad (30-Minutes)
Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant, Tex-Mex-inspired dish packed with grilled chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and crisp greens, all tossed in a creamy chipotle lime dressing. It’s a healthy, high-protein meal that’s perfect for meal prep, lunch, or dinner.Ready in 30 minutes, customizable, and bursting with bold flavors – this salad is a must-try!
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
- 6 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens chopped
- 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn fresh, frozen, or canned
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 avocado diced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
For the Creamy Chipotle Dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or mayo for a richer dressing
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder or ½ teaspoon smoked paprika for a milder version
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the seasoning onto the chicken breasts.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice or shred it.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado.
- Add the shredded or sliced chicken on top.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, chipotle powder, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
- Drizzle the chipotle dressing over the salad.
- Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Top with shredded cheese and crispy tortilla strips for extra crunch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!