Southwest Chicken Salad (20g Protein) Recipe
A flavorful and protein-packed Southwest Chicken Salad combining shredded chicken, beans, corn, fresh veggies, and a creamy, zesty dressing. Perfect as a light meal or snack, this salad offers a nutritious and delicious blend of textures and Southwestern spices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southwestern, American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cans chicken (drained and flaked) OR 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1/2 cup corn (canned or thawed from frozen)
- 1/2 cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1/3 cup red bell pepper (finely diced)
- 1/4 cup red onion or green onions (finely diced)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 small avocado (diced, add just before serving)
- Juice of 1 lime
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayo or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp hot sauce or chipotle sauce
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, corn, black beans, red bell pepper, red or green onions, chopped cilantro, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the diced avocado and squeeze the juice of one lime over the mixture. Incorporate the mayo or Greek yogurt along with the hot sauce or chipotle sauce and stir everything well until evenly coated.
- Chill the Salad: For best flavor, place the salad in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld together. This step is optional but recommended for enhancing the taste.
- Serve: Enjoy the Southwest Chicken Salad as is or serve it with tortilla chips, on crostini, or wrapped in lettuce cups for a lighter option.
Notes
- You can substitute mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Adjust the hot sauce quantity to suit your spice preference.
- Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- This salad works great as a dip, wrap filling, or standalone meal.
Keywords: Southwest chicken salad, chicken salad, low fat protein salad, no cook chicken recipe, black bean salad, healthy lunch, quick salad
