Ultimate High-Protein Southwest Chicken Salad with Creamy Chipotle-Lime Dressing
Make this satisfying Southwest Chicken Salad for a quick, healthy lunch or light dinner. It features seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, and a zesty, creamy chipotle-lime dressing that brings bold Tex-Mex flavor to your table.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (for high protein)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 small chipotle pepper in adobo, minced (or 1 teaspoon adobo sauce for less heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: If using pre-cooked chicken, shred it. If cooking fresh, season 1 pound of chicken breast with salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder, then grill or pan-fry until cooked through. Shred or dice the chicken once cooled.
- Make the creamy chipotle-lime dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and minced chipotle pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Adjust lime juice or chipotle to your taste.
- Combine the salad base: In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Assemble the salad: Place the chopped romaine lettuce in serving bowls. Top the lettuce with the chicken and vegetable mixture.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle the creamy chipotle-lime dressing over the salads. Top each serving with diced avocado. Serve immediately or store components separately for meal prep.
Notes
- This recipe holds up well for meal prep. Store the dressing separately and add it just before eating to keep the lettuce crisp.
- For an extra protein boost, add 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese or a sprinkle of pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
- If you prefer a thinner dressing, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or extra lime juice until you reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 105