Quick Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful twist on classic chicken salad. Packed with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing, it’s perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Serve it on its own, in a sandwich, wrap, or over a bed of lettuce for a nutritious and satisfying meal that’s ready in just 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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 mayonnaise 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
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt. Mix well until smooth and fully combined to create a flavorful Southwest dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded cooked chicken, rinsed black beans, drained corn, chopped jalapeños, quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and pepitas or sunflower seeds.
- Mix Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently stir everything together until all components are evenly coated with the dressing, ensuring a balanced flavor in every bite.
- Serve: Enjoy the Southwest Chicken Salad on its own, inside a sandwich or wrap, or served over a bed of fresh lettuce. It tastes great chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Great for Meal Prep – This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, making it convenient for quick meals during the week.
- Try different protein shredding methods like slow cooking, boiling, or using a stand mixer to shred your chicken efficiently.
- For a lighter version, swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
- Adjust the number of jalapeños to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Nutrition information provided is an estimate and should be used for approximation only.
Find it online: https://bitezly.com/quick-southwest-chicken-salad-recipe-3/
