Description
A vibrant and flavorful Southwest Chicken Salad combining tender shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables with a zesty lime and creamy chipotle dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, served chilled and versatile with tortilla chips, crostini, or wraps.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 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:
- 1/2 cup mayo or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp hot sauce or chipotle sauce
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, corn, black beans, diced red bell pepper, red or green onions, fresh cilantro, and avocado.
- Prepare the dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayo or Greek yogurt, hot sauce or chipotle sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Mix the salad and dressing: Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Add lime juice and toss everything well until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Chill (optional): Refrigerate the salad for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, enhancing the taste. This step is optional but recommended.
- Serve: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature, ideal with tortilla chips, crostini, or wrapped in lettuce cups or tortillas for a light meal.
Notes
- Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter, tangier dressing.
- Adjust the hot sauce amount to taste for desired spiciness.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours, though avocado is best added fresh.
- Perfect as a meal prep salad or casual gathering dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
