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–+ servings
Southwest Chicken Salad

Southwest Chicken Salad

Discover the perfect Southwest Chicken Salad with smoky grilled chicken, crunchy tortilla strips, and zesty dressing. Explore recipes and tips here.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp tsp garlic powder
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 head whole romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
  • 1 can can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can can corn (or fresh corn if in season)
  • ½ cup cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tbsp tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp tsp cumin (for dressing)
  • ½ tsp tsp chipotle powder (for dressing)
  • 1 tbsp tbsp honey (for dressing)
  • to taste Shredded pepper jack or cheddar cheese
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • to taste Tortilla strips, crushed
  • to taste Green onions (optional)
  • to taste Cilantro (optional)

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Mixing bowls
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Season chicken breasts with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and cayenne.
  2. Let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  5. In a large bowl, chop romaine lettuce and add diced bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, black beans, and corn.
  6. For the dressing, mix ranch dressing, lime juice, cumin, chipotle powder, and honey in a bowl.
  7. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss lightly.
  8. Layer the salad with sliced grilled chicken on top.
  9. Add shredded cheese, diced avocado, and crushed tortilla strips before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 10gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2800IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For meal prepping, keep ingredients separate and assemble right before eating to prevent sogginess. If you're looking for extra crunch, consider roasting the corn before adding it to the salad. Feel free to customize the proteins; shrimp or steak work well in place of chicken! To make it vegetarian, substitute chicken with extra black beans or grilled portobello mushrooms.
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