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Quick Southwest Chicken Salad


  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

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