Southwest Chicken Salad
Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish that bursts with flavor in every bite. Featuring grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and a zesty lime dressing, this salad is ideal for gatherings or a healthy weeknight meal. Its colorful presentation and customizable ingredients ensure everyone leaves satisfied!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 6 cups mixed romaine and spinach lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup corn (canned or fresh)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans (rinsed)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- Juice of 2 limes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat grill or skillet over medium heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through (internal temperature of at least 165°F). Let cool slightly before slicing.
- While the chicken cooks, chop cherry tomatoes, rinse the black beans and corn, and dice the avocado.
- In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
- In a large bowl or platter, layer the lettuce followed by sliced chicken, tomatoes, corn, black beans, and avocado.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1.5 cups (260g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: For added crunch, top with tortilla strips or nuts. To make this vegetarian-friendly, substitute chicken with chickpeas or tofu. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.