Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (2024)

5 from 49 votes

112 comments

November 30, 2018

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This Southwest Chicken Salad is a crunchy, fresh, salty, sweet, and creamy salad perfect for dinner, parties, or by itself!

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (1)

Southwest Salad Recipe

The other day I thought I’d experiment with some leftover black beans and roasted chicken I had in my fridge. Best decision ever. The results are a tasty Southwest Salad with a little something for everyone! Plus, there was no cooking involved! BONUS.

Main Ingredients Needed

You should expect 20 minutes of work time, I’d say. Besides that, you should be good to go. This is a really straight forward Southwest Salad recipe and superly awesomely amazing tasting. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Corn, Avocado, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, and Romaine Lettuce –all of this fresh produce makes up the filling of this salad and helps make it southwestern.
  • Chicken and Black Beans –IF you’re vegetarian or just don’t have chicken on hand, don’t worry about it and just add in the black beans.
  • Scallions and Cilantro – these make the salad so much more flavorful!
  • Tortillas Chips – pick your favorite brand and add them in. They give the most wonderful crunch to this chopped salad.
  • Southwest Salad Dressing – This is made from ranch mix, taco seasoning, sour cream, and mayo. It’s beyond delicious, I promise.

If you’re looking for other salads, don’t look far, here are a couple of favorites: macaroni salad,cucumber salad,classic coleslaw, chicken salad with grapes or broccoli salad.

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (2)

How to Make Southwest Chicken Salad

  1. Prepare or chop the chicken, green pepper, black beans, corn, tomatoes, scallions, lettuce, and cilantro.
  2. In a large bowl, stir all ingredients together, excluding the tortilla chips and avocado.
  3. Make Southwest Salad Dressing (outlined below).
  4. When ready to serve, toss the salad with dressing then gently stir in avocado and tortilla chips.

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (3)

Southwest Salad Dressing

  1. For the dressing, take equal parts of mayo and sour cream and stir together with some taco seasonings, ranch dip mix, and pepper and salt to taste.
  2. Stir it up and voila! Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing.

Note: Pour just enough dressing over the salad to moisten everything and toss.

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (4)

Make-Ahead

To make this recipe ahead of time, simply chop and combine everything except the avocados, tortilla chips, and dressing. Refrigerate the dressing and salad separately, then when ready to serve, top with the dressing andstir in some crushed tortilla chips with that ripe avocados.

If you let the salad, tortilla chips, and dressing mingle too long together in the fridge things tend to get soggy, that’s why it’s best to wait until you’re ready to devour this salad.

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (5)

Leftovers

Any leftover Southwest Chicken Salad can be refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days. After that things tend to get soggy and gross.

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (6)

More Salads To Try!

  • BLT Chopped Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing
  • Super Greens Southwest Kale Salad
  • California Club Blue Cheese Chop Salad
  • Epic Chicken Salad

Once you stir it all together you can see how yummy and colorful this Southwest Salad looks! Mmmm…

I hope you like this one, guys! Have a great day!

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (7)

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5 from 49 votes

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken

This Southwest Salad Recipe is a crunchy, fresh, salty, sweet, and creamy salad perfect for dinner, parties or by itself!

servings 4 servings

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken diced
  • 1 green pepper diced
  • 1 cup black beans
  • 1 cup sweet yellow corn canned or frozen and defrosted
  • 2 roma tomatoes diced
  • 4 scallions washed and sliced, white and green parts
  • 1 large romaine heart washed and chopped
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro washed and chopped
  • 2 just under ripe avocados diced
  • 2 cups tortilla chips crushed

for the dressing-

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 tablespoon ranch seasoning
  • 1/2 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1/2 tablespoon lime juice optional
  • salt & pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, stir all salad ingredients together, excluding the tortilla chips and avocado.

  • In a small bowl, stir all dressing ingredients together until smooth.

  • When ready to serve, toss salad with dressing then gently stir in avocado and tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 912kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 60g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 819mg | Potassium: 1279mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3465IU | Vitamin C: 44.6mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 4mg

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Southwestern

Keyword: southwest chicken salad, southwest salad, southwest salad recipe

Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken (2024)

FAQs

What is a southwest salad made of? ›

Today's southwestern salad is so super simple and classic – just spicy golden roasted sweet potatoes tossed with sweet corn (fresh or grilled? – you choose), black beans, chopped romaine lettuce, and a cool n' creamy avocado dressing that is packed with cilantro, lime, and other good things.

What comes on Chick Fil A Southwest salad? ›

Slices of grilled spicy chicken breast served on a fresh bed of mixed greens, topped with grape tomatoes, a blend of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and a zesty combination of roasted corn, black beans, poblano chiles, and red bell peppers.

What is in Red Robin Southwest chicken salad? ›

Ancho-grilled chicken breast, black beans, avocado, fried jalapeño coins, tomato, corn, shredded cheddar, fresh lime and tortilla strips. Served on a bed of mixed greens with a side of salsa-ranch dressing.

What does Wendy's Southwest salad have in it? ›

What's On It. Made fresh daily with Wendy's signature lettuce blend, pepper jack cheese, diced tomatoes, cool, creamy avocado, Applewood smoked bacon, and grilled chicken breast hot off the grill, all topped with Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Southwest Ranch Dressing. It's zesty and Southwesty!

What is in Zaxby's Southwest salad? ›

"The salad brings together fire-roasted corn, crunchy tortilla strips, freshly sliced Roma tomatoes and Cheddar Jack cheese nestled on crisp mixed greens, topped with Zaxby's grilled or hand-breaded chicken."

What's the healthiest salad at Chick-Fil-A? ›

The Market Salad has fruits, veggies, and protein.

With a combination of greens, fresh fruit, nuts, and grilled chicken, the Market Salad is one of the most nutritionally balanced options at Chick-fil-A, according to Amer.

How healthy is the Southwest salad at Chick-Fil-A? ›

Chick-fil-a Spicy Southwest Salad (1 serving) contains 32g total carbs, 24g net carbs, 19g fat, 34g protein, and 420 calories.

How much is Wendy's Southwest chicken salad? ›

Southwest Avocado Chicken Sandwich

For a limited time, avocado lovers can grab the perfect on-the go meal with Wendy's full-size Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad at $6.69 , or squeeze in a snack with the half-size option for $4.69 .

What is in Wendy's garden salad? ›

GARDEN SIDE SALAD

A delicious side choice with mixed lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and red bell peppers topped with any one of our Marzetti® Simply Dressed® dressings.

What is in Browns Social House Cowboy salad? ›

It's easy to throw together with greens, corn, bacon, cheese, beans veggies and a BBQ ranch dressing!

Did Wendy's get rid of the Southwest salad? ›

Wendy's Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad

If you've tried to order a salad from Wendy's lately, you'll notice that the salad menu has shrunk considerably to only three salads. Sadly, the Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad is the latest casualty on Wendy's salad menu and has disappeared from the menu as of March 2023.

Why does my chicken salad have no taste? ›

Lack of Seasoning: One of the most common reasons for bland chicken salad is insufficient seasoning. Make sure to add enough salt, pepper, and other seasonings like herbs and spices to enhance the flavor. Overcooking the Chicken: Overcooked chicken can become dry and lose its flavor.

Is it better to put warm or cold chicken on salad? ›

Cold meat just doesn't smell or taste as flavorful as it does at room temperature or warmer. This is why chilled chicken, even on salads, isn't as delicious as it could be. Warming that chicken before adding it to your salad would return it to its juicy, satisfying best.

How to make a salad that actually tastes good? ›

How to Make a Salad You'll Actually Want to Eat
  1. 1: Think Beyond Lettuce and Greens.
  2. 2: Add Heft with Grains and Nuts.
  3. 3: Add Beans or Other Proteins.
  4. 4: Make Your Own Homemade Salad Dressing.
  5. 5: Make it a Flavor Party.
Jan 18, 2024

Is spicy southwest salad healthy? ›

Is the Spicy Southwest Salad Healthy? While the Chick-Fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad is healthy in that it is full of nutrient-loaded vegetables and ingredients, it's definitely one of the higher-calorie salads on their menu.

What is Southwest ranch dressing made of? ›

In a medium bowl, measure and add 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons sriracha, 1 teaspoon ketchup, 2 tablespoon ranch seasoning, 1 tablespoon southwest seasoning, 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning and 1 teaspoon chili powder. Pour in 1/2 cup milk. And stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before using.

What is the taste of Southwest dressing? ›

The taste of this dressing is sweet and tangy with a little bit of spicy taste. This dressing is a perfect flavour enhancer for any food, especially sandwiches.

Does McDonald's still make the Southwest salad? ›

"Unfortunately, McDonald's has phased out its Southwest Salad.

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