Description
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare meal featuring shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, black beans, and a zesty lime dressing. Perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner, this gluten-free salad combines creamy avocado, crunchy tortilla strips, and a touch of cheddar cheese for delicious texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or chopped)
- 4 cups romaine lettuce (chopped)
- 1 cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing and Toppings
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing or southwest dressing
- Tortilla strips for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, rinsed black beans, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, diced avocado, finely chopped red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped fresh cilantro.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the juice of one lime and 1/3 cup of your choice of ranch or southwest dressing over the salad mixture to add zesty flavor and creaminess.
- Toss Gently: Carefully toss all ingredients together to evenly coat everything with the dressing without mashing the avocado or breaking down the ingredients.
- Serve: Divide the salad into individual bowls. If desired, top each serving with crunchy tortilla strips to add texture and extra flavor.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and convenient option.
- Swap ranch dressing for chipotle or avocado dressing to customize flavor.
- Add diced jalapeños if you want to give the salad a spicy kick.
