Description
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender shredded chicken with black beans, corn, fresh jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy pepitas, all tossed in a zesty lime and chili-spiced mayo dressing. Perfect for a fast and satisfying lunch, dinner, or meal prep, this salad can be enjoyed on its own, in sandwiches, or over a bed of lettuce for a lighter option.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 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
- 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup pepitas (or sunflower seeds)
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt, dairy free or regular)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Mix Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise or Greek yogurt with fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt. Whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and smooth.
- Mix Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the shredded chicken, rinsed black beans, drained corn, chopped jalapeños, quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and pepitas. Toss gently to mix all components evenly.
- Combine: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are coated evenly with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately on its own, use it as a filling for sandwiches, or place it over a bed of fresh lettuce for a lighter meal. Enjoy your quick and tasty Southwest Chicken Salad!
Notes
- For a spicier salad, leave some seeds in the jalapeños or add more jalapeños.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make the dressing dairy free, substitute mayonnaise or use a plant-based yogurt.
- Add avocado slices or cilantro for additional freshness.
- Serve with tortilla chips for a crunchy side or appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: southwest chicken salad, quick chicken salad, black bean salad, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken salad, no cook salad, meal prep salad, lime chicken salad, spicy chicken salad
