Quick Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining shredded chicken, black beans, corn, fresh jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and crunchy pepitas, all tossed in a zesty chili-lime dressing. Perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner, it can be enjoyed on its own, in a sandwich, or over a bed of lettuce for a refreshing and protein-packed meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 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
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayo or Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a smooth dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the shredded cooked chicken, rinsed black beans, drained corn, chopped jalapeños, quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and pepitas or sunflower seeds. Toss these ingredients together gently to combine.
- Mix Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Stir thoroughly but carefully to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the southwest chicken salad on its own as a hearty meal, use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps, or place it over fresh lettuce for a lighter option. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for later.
Notes
- Great for meal prep: store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Try shredding cooked chicken by boiling, roasting, slow cooking, or using a mixer for easy preparation.
- For a lighter option, substitute mayo with Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.
Keywords: Southwest chicken salad, quick chicken salad, black bean salad, corn salad, healthy chicken recipes, no cook chicken salad
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/quick-southwest-chicken-salad-recipe/