Description
Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines bold flavors with fresh ingredients, making it an ideal option for a quick lunch, dinner, or picnic. With zesty lime juice and a hint of chili spice, each bite offers an explosion of taste. This salad is not only easy to prepare but also customizable, allowing you to incorporate your favorite toppings or swap ingredients based on what you have on hand. Enjoy it as a light meal or serve it as a colorful side at your next gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels, fresh, canned, or thawed frozen
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until well coated.
- Top with cheese if desired and serve immediately or chill until ready to enjoy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: For added crunch, consider incorporating tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips. Customize the protein by substituting chicken with turkey or beef for variety. Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of chili powder according to your preference.