Description
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant, protein-packed meal combining shredded chicken with black beans, corn, fresh jalapeños, and a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this versatile salad can be served on its own, in a sandwich, or over greens for a satisfying and flavorful dish that comes together in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 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
- ¾ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ½ cup red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup pepitas or sunflower seeds
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayo or Greek yogurt (dairy free or regular)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayo or Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt. Whisk together until smooth and fully incorporated to create a zesty southwest dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the shredded cooked chicken, rinsed black beans, drained corn, chopped jalapeños, quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and pepitas or sunflower seeds. Mix gently to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Add Dressing to Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Stir well to coat all the ingredients with the flavorful dressing and ensure an even taste throughout.
- Serve: Enjoy the salad immediately on its own, stuff it into a sandwich, or serve it over a bed of fresh lettuce for a more substantial meal. This salad is versatile and perfect for quick meals or meal prep.
Notes
- Great for meal prep: store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- For shredding chicken quickly, consider poaching, slow cooking, rotisserie, or using a stand mixer.
- Nutrition information is estimated and should only be used as an approximation.
Keywords: quick chicken salad, southwest chicken salad, easy chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, meal prep salad, no-cook chicken salad