Description
This Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and fresh veggies with a zesty, creamy dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, it can be served on its own, with tortilla chips, or wrapped in lettuce for a healthy twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 2 cans chicken, drained and flaked OR 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 cup corn, canned or thawed from frozen
- 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/3 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/4 cup red onion or green onions, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 small avocado, diced (add just before serving)
- Juice of 1 lime
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayo or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp hot sauce or chipotle sauce
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chicken, corn, black beans, red bell pepper, red or green onions, cilantro, lime juice, and diced avocado (except avocado is best added just before serving to maintain freshness). Add in the dressing ingredients — mayo or Greek yogurt, hot sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well: Stir everything thoroughly to evenly coat the salad with the seasoning and dressing, ensuring all ingredients are well combined for consistent flavor.
- Chill (optional): If you have time, refrigerate the salad for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen. This step is optional but recommended.
- Serve: Enjoy the salad as is or serve it with tortilla chips, on crostini, or wrapped in lettuce cups or tortillas for a lighter meal option.
Notes
- Add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter, tangier dressing.
- Adjust the hot sauce quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
- This salad can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge without avocado for up to 2 days.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
