Description
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant, Tex-Mex-inspired dish packed with juicy seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and a zesty yogurt dressing. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a refreshing lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Salad:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, cubed
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tbsp salsa
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked. Let rest before slicing into strips.
- Prepare the Salad Base: Chop romaine lettuce and place in a large salad bowl.
- Add the Vegetables: Add cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and avocado.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together Greek yogurt (or sour cream), salsa, honey, and lime juice in a small bowl.
- Assemble the Salad: Top the salad with sliced chicken and shredded cheese. Drizzle dressing over the top and gently toss.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- Grilled Option: Instead of pan-searing, grill the chicken for added smokiness.
- Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or extra chili powder.
- Vegan Alternative: Swap chicken for grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas.
- Dressing Variations: Try chipotle ranch or avocado lime dressing.
- Low-Carb: Omit black beans and corn.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern, Tex-Mex
Keywords: Southwest Chicken Salad, Tex-Mex Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, Meal Prep Salad, Easy Dinner Recipe