What is Southwest chicken salad?

Southwest chicken salad is a Tex Mex inspired dish with marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, beans, and a creamy dressing, often avocado based.

What is in southern chicken salad?

Southern chicken salad usually includes shredded chicken, mayonnaise, celery, and sometimes pickles or grapes, which differs from the bold, zesty Southwest chicken salad.

What makes a good Southwest Salad?

A good Southwest chicken salad balances smoky spices, fresh veggies, creamy dressing, and protein. Texture and flavor contrast matter a lot.

What's in Panera Southwest chicken salad?

Panera’s version includes chicken, greens, corn, beans, tomatoes, and a creamy dressing, similar in spirit to a homemade Southwest chicken salad.

Southwest Chicken Salad Amazing Easy Dinner

Name: Southwest Chicken Salad Amazing Easy Dinner
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 6 h 20 min
Cuisine: Tex Mex
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 3 tbsp olive oil divided; 2 limes juiced and zested; 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; 3 cloves garlic minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce; 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes halved; 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained; 1 cup corn rinsed and drained; 1/3 cup red onion thinly sliced; 1/2 avocado sliced; 1/4 cup olive oil for dressing; 1/4 cup water; 1/4 cup fresh herbs cilantro or parsley; 1 lime juiced for dressing; 2 cloves garlic minced for dressing; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

A bold and fresh Southwest chicken salad packed with juicy grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy avocado dressing. This protein-rich dinner is vibrant, satisfying, and perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

3 tbsp olive oil divided

2 limes juiced and zested

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

3 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

4 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes halved

1 cup black beans rinsed and drained

1 cup corn rinsed and drained

1/3 cup red onion thinly sliced

1/2 avocado sliced

1/4 cup olive oil for dressing

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup fresh herbs cilantro or parsley

1 lime juiced for dressing

2 cloves garlic minced for dressing

Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Whisk olive oil lime juice zest cilantro garlic cumin chili powder salt and pepper to create marinade

2. Coat chicken thoroughly and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours

3. Blend olive oil water herbs lime juice garlic salt and pepper to make dressing

4. Heat skillet with oil and cook chicken 4 to 5 minutes per side until cooked through

5. Let chicken rest then slice into strips

6. Arrange romaine lettuce in bowls

7. Add tomatoes black beans corn and red onion

8. Top with sliced chicken

9. Drizzle avocado dressing over salad

10. Serve immediately

Notes

For a vegetarian option replace chicken with chickpeas or roasted vegetables

Use grilled corn for a smoky flavor

Store ingredients separately for up to 5 days

Reheat chicken before assembling if meal prepping

Adjust dressing consistency with water as needed

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Tex Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 85mg