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Southwestern Chicken Salad

Southwestern Chicken Salad That You'll Want for Dinner Tonight

This Southwestern Chicken Salad is a quick and healthy meal, packed with vibrant ingredients and customizable flavors, ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Southwestern
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts Can be substituted with rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Full-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt Opt for lighter alternatives if desired.
  • 2 tablespoons Lime Juice Can be switched with lemon juice.
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin Adjust seasoning based on personal taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder Increase or decrease according to heat preference.
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika Optional but highly recommended.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper Optional for added heat.
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt Taste and adjust to liking.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper Taste and adjust to liking.
For the Salad
  • 1 can Black Beans Rinse until drained.
  • 1 cup Corn Kernels Fresh or frozen works well.
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper Diced.
  • 1/2 medium Red Onion Finely chopped; shallots can be used.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro Can be replaced with parsley.

Equipment

  • Medium pot
  • mixing bowl
  • large mixing bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a medium pot, place boneless, skinless chicken breasts and season them with kosher salt and black pepper. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until smooth.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over and stir gently to coat.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 29gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 10gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg

Notes

You can make this salad up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container. Add fresh ingredients like cilantro just before serving.

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