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Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe is a must-try! Recipe

Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe is a must-try! Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 24 reviews

This Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for lunch or dinner. Packed with tender chicken, black beans, fresh vegetables, and a tangy southwest-inspired dressing, it offers a healthy balance of protein, fiber, and bold flavors. Easy to prepare and versatile, this salad is great for meal prep or serving as a refreshing standalone meal or wrap filling.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/3 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional

  • Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips for crunch

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked shredded chicken breast, rinsed black beans, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and chopped fresh cilantro. Gently fold the ingredients to mix evenly.
  3. Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients and toss gently until everything is coated evenly with the dressing, taking care to keep the avocado from mashing too much.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese on top of the salad. If desired, add tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch. Serve the salad immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.

Notes

  • This salad is great for meal prep; for best freshness, store the dressing separately and add just before serving.
  • Add a diced jalapeño if you want extra spice, or swap the chicken for grilled shrimp or tofu for a different protein option.
  • Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream gives a lighter dressing with extra protein.
  • This salad also tastes delicious as a filling for wraps or tacos.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southwest chicken salad, chicken salad, healthy salad, black bean salad, easy lunch recipe, gluten free salad, Mexican inspired salad

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/zesty-southwest-chicken-salad-recipe-is-a-must-try-recipe/