Southwest Chicken Salad

I LOVE a good salad as much as anyone, but if I had to choose just one as my favorite, go-to, and most craved, it would undoubtedly be this Southwest Chicken Salad recipe. The combination of flavors and textures is absolutely perfect, and what truly ties it all together is the irresistible Chipotle Ranch dressing. I could put it on anything!

Southwest Chicken Salad INGREDIENTS

Made with simple pantry ingredients, this easy southwest chicken salad recipe is super easy to make and easily customizable.

Chicken– Boneless, skinless chicken breast ensures a quick and easy cook time.
Oil– For cooking the chicken. Olive oil or any neutral oil will work.
Lettuce– Any kind will work; I prefer a crisp romaine lettuce for this recipe.
Beans– Canned black beans that have been drained and rinsed.
Corn– Canned corn, drained and rinsed, keeps this recipe quick and easy, but you can also use frozen corn or grill a fresh ear of corn for added flavor.
Tomato– Any kind will work. I love using cherry or grape tomatoes in this chicken salad recipe.
Bell Pepper– Red, yellow, green or orange. Your choice.
Onions- For a great pop of color and sharp flavor I always opt for red onions. Yellow or white work just fine too.
Avocado– For the creamy texture and delicious flavor!
Cheese– If you like to top your salad with cheese, cheddar, queso fresco, Oaxaca, or Mexican blend are all great choices.
Tortilla Strips– These can be found on the condiment aisle. Using regulate tortillas chips is another great option.
Spices/Seasonings– A combination of herbs and spices for seasoning the chicken: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, chipotle powder and dried oregano.

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Southwest Dressing INGREDIENTS: Chipotle Ranch

Making a homemade southwest dressing is super easy. Just add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust the spice level by adding more chipotle sauce.

Mayo
Sour Cream
Fresh Garlic Cloves
Ranch Seasoning Mix
Fresh Cilantro
Chipotle Sauce– Or Chipotles in adobo sauce.
Fresh Lime Juice
Cumin
Smoked Paprika
Chili Powder
Milk

How To Make This Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

From start to finish this easy salad recipe takes about 45 minutes to make.

STEP 1

Add the chicken and seasonings to a bowl, mixing until the chicken is fully coated.

STEP 2

Heat a skillet or cast-iron griddle over medium heat, add the oil, and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

STEP 3

To assemble the salad, start with a base of lettuce, then add the vegetables, sliced chicken, tortilla strips, and finish with a drizzle of chipotle ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Meal Prepping & Storing Southwest Chicken Salad

When meal prepping this salad: Fully cook, cool and slice the chicken. Store in an airtight container. Make the southwest dressing and store in an airtight container. All of the other salad ingredients, except the avocado and tortilla strips, can be stored in an airtight container together.

Storing: Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

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Southwest Chicken Salad

This Southwest Chicken Salad has it all! Packed with juicy grilled chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and a zesty homemade Southwest dressing, it’s perfect for lunch, dinner and meal prep.

Author: Sky Pilgreen Cooking Method: Pan searing Categories: Dinner, Lunch Recipe Keys: D Dinner M meal prep S southwest chicken salad

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 15 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 45 mins Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 2

Ingredients

Servings

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon pepper

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon chili powder

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon chipotle powder

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon dried oregano

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 cup corn (drained and rinsed)

• 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)

• ¹⁄₄ cup red onion (diced)

• ¹⁄₂ cup bell pepper (diced)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)

• 4-6 heads romaine lettuce (chopped)

• 1 avocado sliced

• as needed tortilla strips

• as needed cheddar cheese (shredded)

Southwest Dressing: Chipotle Ranch

• ¹⁄₂ cup mayo

• ¹⁄₂ cup sour cream

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 tablespoon ranch dressing seasoning mix

• ¹⁄₄-¹⁄₂ cup fresh cilantro

• 4 teaspoons chipotle sauce (or 1-2 chipotle peppers with 1-2 teaspoons of adobo sauce)

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon cumin

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon chili powder

• 2 tablespoons milk (more if the dressing needs to be thinned out)

Instructions

1. Add the chicken 2 teaspoons of olive oil and seasonings to a bowl, mixing until the chicken is fully coated.

2. Heat a skillet or cast-iron griddle over medium heat, add the oil, and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side. Squeeze some fresh lime juice on the chicken if desired. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

3. To make the dressing, add all of the dressing ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Add more chipotle sauce if you want the dressing to be spicier. 

4. To assemble the salad, start with a base of lettuce, then add the vegetables, sliced chicken, tortilla strips, cheese, and finish with a drizzle of chipotle ranch dressing. Enjoy!