Southwest Chicken Salad (20g Protein) Recipe
A vibrant and protein-packed Southwest Chicken Salad featuring shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a creamy, zesty chipotle-lime dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, snack with chips, or a flavorful addition to wraps and lettuce cups.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook mixing
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: Low Fat
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 mayonnaise 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 Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the chicken, corn, black beans, red bell pepper, red or green onion, fresh cilantro, and avocado. Add the lime juice alongside the mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, hot sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing and flavors meld.
- Chill (Optional): If time permits, refrigerate the salad for about 15 minutes. This resting period helps the flavors blend and intensify, making the salad taste even better.
- Serve: Enjoy the salad on its own, with tortilla chips, atop crostini, stuffed into lettuce cups, or wrapped in a tortilla for a satisfying meal or snack.
Notes
- Avocado is best added just before serving to prevent browning.
- Using Greek yogurt instead of mayo will reduce calories and add a slight tang.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity to your preferred spice level.
- For a gluten-free option, serve with lettuce cups or gluten-free chips.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Southwest chicken salad, chicken salad, healthy chicken recipe, black bean salad, avocado chicken, high protein salad
Find it online: https://topreci.com/southwest-chicken-salad-20g-protein-recipe/
