Southwest Chicken Salad
A vibrant, nutritious Southwest Chicken Salad that blends fresh ingredients and flavors, perfect for the autumn season.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced Use fresh or rotisserie chicken.
- 4 cups mixed greens (such as romaine, spinach, and arugula) Use a mix of leafy greens.
- 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen (thawed if frozen) Fresh corn preferred.
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained Canned or pre-cooked beans works well.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Slice the tomatoes in half for easier mixing.
- 1 whole avocado, diced Ensure the avocado is ripe.
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced Use as much or as little as desired.
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped Substitute with parsley if desired.
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend) Optional for garnish.
Dressing
- 1 whole lime, juiced Fresh lime juice is best.
- 1/4 cup olive oil Use high-quality olive oil.
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- to taste Salt and pepper Adjust according to preference.
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the chicken until fully done (grilling works great!), then shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Combining Ingredients
- In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens, corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and cooked chicken.
- Gently toss in the shredded cheese and chopped cilantro.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss to evenly coat all ingredients.
Serving
- Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes for enhanced flavor.
Notes
For the freshest flavor, use seasonal produce. Feel free to customize the dressing with your favorite herbs.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 500mgFiber: 10gSugar: 5g
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