Description
A vibrant and healthy Southwest Chicken Salad combining shredded chicken with fresh vegetables, black beans, corn, and a zesty lime dressing. Perfect as a light meal or appetizer, this salad is easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips, crostini, or lettuce wraps.
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, add the chicken, corn, black beans, red bell pepper, red or green onions, fresh cilantro, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to mix the dry and protein ingredients evenly.
- Add Dressing and Avocado: Add the mayo or Greek yogurt, hot sauce, lime juice, and diced avocado just before mixing. Stir everything together carefully until the salad is well coated with the dressing.
- Chill (Optional): If time allows, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and develop better taste. This step is optional but recommended.
- Serve: Spoon the salad onto tortilla chips, crostini, lettuce cups, or wraps. Enjoy it as a hearty snack or a light meal.
Notes
- You can use canned chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken as preferred.
- Adding the avocado just before serving prevents it from browning quickly.
- Adjust hot sauce amount to suit your spice preference.
- Refrigerating the salad enhances the flavor melding but can be served immediately.
- Serve with tortilla chips, crostini, lettuce cups, or wraps for varied presentations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
