Description
Southwest Chicken Salad is a bold, protein-packed dish filled with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and a zesty lime dressing. The perfect meal-prep recipe, this salad is creamy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor. Enjoy it on its own, in a sandwich, or wrapped in a tortilla. A delicious, easy-to-make meal that’s great for lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
For the 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
For the Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayo or Greek yogurt (regular or dairy-free)
- 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 mayo (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt until well combined.
In a large bowl, add shredded chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and pepitas.
Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and stir until everything is well coated. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 30 minutes for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Make Ahead Tip: This salad tastes even better after chilling for a few hours, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Adjust the Heat: Reduce or omit the jalapeños for a milder version, or add extra chili powder for more spice.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative instead of Greek yogurt.
- Storage: Keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (uses pre-cooked chicken)
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southwest, Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (out of 6)
- Calories: 251
- Sugar: 3.1g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 14.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14.9g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Protein: 18.9g
- Cholesterol: 49mg
Keywords: Southwest Chicken Salad, healthy chicken salad, meal prep chicken salad, easy chicken salad recipe, high-protein salad