Description
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring shredded chicken combined with black beans, corn, fresh jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and crunchy pepitas, all tossed in a zesty Southwest-inspired dressing made with lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad can be served on its own, in a sandwich, wrap, or over a bed of lettuce for a healthy, satisfying meal that's ready in just 10 minutes.
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 mayo 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
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayo or Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt. Whisk everything together until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, rinsed black beans, drained corn, chopped jalapeños, quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and pepitas. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Combine salad and dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients. Stir gently but thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Enjoy the southwest chicken salad on its own as a light meal, spread it in a sandwich or wrap, or serve over a bed of fresh lettuce for an added crunch and freshness.
Notes
- Great for Meal Prep - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days to enjoy throughout the week.
- This recipe is versatile: use either mayo or Greek yogurt depending on your preference or dietary needs.
- To adjust the heat, modify the amount of jalapeños used or leave the seeds in for an extra kick.
- Try different seeds or nuts as toppings for added texture and flavor.
- *Find out 4 easy ways to shred chicken that can be used in this recipe and other chicken salad recipes.
- **Nutrition information is estimated and should only be used as an approximation.
