Why Make This Recipe
Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant and tasty dish perfect for lunch or dinner. It combines fresh ingredients and bold flavors, making it both healthy and satisfying. This salad is great for any occasion, from picnics to busy weekday meals. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and can be customized to fit your taste.
How to Make Southwest Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn, canned or fresh
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, corn, diced bell pepper, black beans, red onion, and sliced avocado.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything to combine.
- Serve immediately, or store in the fridge for meal prep.
How to Serve Southwest Chicken Salad
Southwest Chicken Salad is best served fresh. It can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side. You can also top it with extra avocado or cheese for added flavor. It pairs well with tortilla chips or warm bread.
How to Store Southwest Chicken Salad
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The salad will stay fresh for about 2-3 days. Keep the dressing separate if you want to maintain the salad’s crunch. Add the dressing just before serving.
Tips to Make Southwest Chicken Salad
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option. It saves time and adds great flavor.
- Feel free to add other ingredients like cilantro, jalapeños, or your favorite nuts for some crunch.
- Adjust the spice level by adding hot sauce or chili powder to the dressing.
Variation
You can easily turn this salad into a wrap by using a large tortilla to wrap all the ingredients. This makes for a great on-the-go meal!
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen corn?
A: Yes, frozen corn works well. Just thaw it before adding it to the salad.
Q: Is this salad gluten-free?
A: Absolutely! All the ingredients used are gluten-free.
Q: Can I meal prep this salad for the week?
A: Yes, you can. Just store the salad and dressing separately until you’re ready to eat to keep everything fresh.
Southwest Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken Can use rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation.
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn, canned or fresh Frozen corn can be used after thawing.
- 1 piece bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 piece avocado, sliced Can add extra avocado for flavor.
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, corn, diced bell pepper, black beans, red onion, and sliced avocado.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything to combine.
- Serve immediately, or store in the fridge for meal prep.