Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe
This Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish featuring shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing with a kick of taco seasoning and lime. Perfect for a light lunch or a tasty side, this salad combines wholesome ingredients with vibrant Southwestern flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (using pre-cooked chicken)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (approximately 1 pound)
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, corn kernels, black beans, diced tomatoes, finely chopped onion, and chopped fresh cilantro until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, taco seasoning, and lime juice together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring the taco seasoning is fully incorporated into the dressing.
- Mix Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the zesty dressing.
- Season and Serve: Taste the salad and add salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavors. You can serve the salad immediately or cover and chill it in the refrigerator for up to a few hours to let the flavors meld before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Add diced avocado or jalapeños for extra creaminess or spiciness.
- Serve with tortilla chips or on a bed of mixed greens for varied presentation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Southwest chicken salad, chicken salad, black bean salad, corn salad, taco seasoning salad, zesty chicken salad, easy chicken salad recipe
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/zesty-southwest-chicken-salad-recipe/
