Why Make This Recipe
Southwest Chicken Salad is a refreshing and healthy dish that combines savory grilled chicken with tasty ingredients. It is perfect for lunch or dinner and is full of flavor. This salad is not only delicious but also easy to make. With simple ingredients, you can create a meal that is colorful and satisfying.
How to Make Southwest Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- Grilled chicken
- Black beans
- Sweet corn
- Romaine lettuce
- Avocado
- Cherry tomatoes
- Chipotle-lime dressing
Directions:
- Grill the chicken until cooked through and slice it.
- In a large bowl, combine the black beans, sweet corn, chopped romaine, diced avocado, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Add the grilled chicken on top.
- Drizzle with chipotle-lime dressing to taste.
- Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
How to Serve Southwest Chicken Salad
Southwest Chicken Salad can be served as a main dish or as a side. You can enjoy it alone or with tortilla chips for extra crunch. It is also great with a piece of cornbread or a slice of crusty bread.
How to Store Southwest Chicken Salad
If you have leftovers, you can store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best to keep the dressing separate until you are ready to eat. The salad will stay fresh for about 1-2 days.
Tips to Make Southwest Chicken Salad
- Use leftover grilled chicken to save time.
- Make your own chipotle-lime dressing for a personal touch.
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch.
Variation
You can customize this salad by adding ingredients like cheese (cheddar or feta), cilantro, or jalapeños for a spicy kick. If you want a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and use more beans or quinoa for protein.
FAQs
What can I use instead of grilled chicken?
You can use shredded rotisserie chicken or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients in advance and refrigerate them. Just wait to add the dressing until you are ready to serve.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients are gluten-free, making this a great choice for those with gluten allergies.
Southwest Chicken Salad
Equipment
- skillet
- small bowl
- whisk
- large bowl
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp Southwest seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Salad
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen (thawed)
- 1 can (15-oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.25 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped
Creamy Southwest Dressing
- 0.5 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 0.5 tsp chipotle powder
- 0.5 tsp cumin
- 0.25 tsp garlic powder
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.125 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Chicken Preparation
- Season chicken breasts with Southwest seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for a few minutes. Once cooled slightly, shred or dice the chicken.
Dressing Preparation
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, chipotle powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Assemble Salad
- In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro.
- Add the cooked chicken to the salad ingredients. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Serve
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Southwest Chicken Salad!