Creamy Southwest Chicken Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes (if cooking chicken)
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 cup sweet corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
Creamy Southwest Dressing
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp milk (if needed to thin)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, corn, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, avocado, cilantro, and romaine lettuce.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Chill for 10–15 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- Tortilla strips
- Sliced jalapeños
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Extra avocado
- Lime wedges
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 33 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fat: 19 g
- Fiber: 6 g
Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick meal.
- Add cooked quinoa or brown rice to make it more filling.
- Store the dressing separately if preparing in advance to keep the salad fres