Description
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a flavorful, hearty, and healthy meal packed with vibrant ingredients. With tender shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and a touch of spice from fresh jalapeños, this salad is the perfect balance of protein, crunch, and zest. The homemade dressing made with lime juice, mayo, and southwestern spices adds an extra kick that ties everything together. This salad is perfect for lunch or dinner, and it comes together in no time!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb cooked shredded chicken (about 3 breasts)
- 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15.25 oz) corn, drained
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and chopped
- ¾ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ½ cup red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, chopped jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and pepitas.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayo, fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss everything together until well coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of jalapeño to your desired spice level.
- Add avocado for extra creaminess if desired.
- For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of mayo in the dressing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: No cooking required (uses pre-cooked shredded chicken)
- Category: Salad,
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican, American