Southwest Chicken Salad: A Flavor-Packed, Easy Meal for Any Occasion
A fresh and flavorful twist on classic chicken salad! Packed with protein, veggies, and a zesty lime dressing, this Southwest Chicken Salad is perfect for a light lunch, meal prep, or a filling wrap. Customize the spice level with jalapeños and adjust the dressing to your liking!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base:
- 1 lb cooked shredded chicken (about 2–3 breasts)
- 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, rinsed & drained
- 1 can (15.25 oz) corn, drained
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded & 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 if needed)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayo (or yogurt), lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt until smooth.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeños, tomatoes, red onion, and pepitas.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour dressing over the salad and gently stir until everything is well coated.
- Serve & Enjoy: Eat as is, in a wrap, on a sandwich, or over a bed of greens!
Notes
✅ Meal Prep Friendly – Stores well in the fridge for 4-5 days.
✅ Spice Control – Remove jalapeño seeds for mild heat or keep them for extra spice.
✅ Lighter Option – Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a protein boost.
✅ Extra Crunch – Add diced bell peppers or cucumbers for more texture.
Nutrition
- Calories: 251kcal Per Serving
- Sugar: 3.1g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 14.5g
- Carbohydrates: 14.9g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Protein: 18.9g
- Cholesterol: 49mg