Southwest Chicken Salad: A Quick and Flavorful Recipe for Every Occasion
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Packed with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and fresh veggies, it’s tossed in a zesty lime and spice dressing. Serve it on its own, in a sandwich, wrap, or over a bed of lettuce for a satisfying meal. It’s quick to prepare, meal-prep friendly, and bursting with Southwest-inspired flavors!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Scale
Salad:
- 1 lb cooked shredded chicken (about 2–3 breasts)
- 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15.25 oz) corn, drained
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and chopped
- ¾ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ½ cup red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup pepitas or sunflower seeds
Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayo or Greek yogurt (dairy-free or regular)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth and well combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and pepitas.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately on its own, in a sandwich, wrap, or over a bed of lettuce.
Notes
- Meal Prep: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Shredding Chicken: Use a stand mixer, two forks, or your hands to shred cooked chicken quickly.
Nutrition
- Calories: 251kcal kcal per serving
- Sugar: 3.1g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 14.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.2g
- Carbohydrates: 14.9g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Protein: 18.9g
- Cholesterol: 49mg