Description
This Quick Southwest Chicken Salad is bursting with vibrant flavors from shredded chicken, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, creamy lime dressing, and crunchy pepitas. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, it’s a fresh, protein-packed dish that comes together in minutes!
Ingredients
3 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie, crockpot, or canned)
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup canned corn, drained (or frozen/cooked corn)
1–2 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely diced (optional for spice)
½ cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, diced (optional, but delicious!)
Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Lime Dressing:
½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
2 tablespoons lime juice
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.
Pour the lime dressing over the chicken mixture. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Sprinkle pepitas over the top before serving for extra crunch.
Serve immediately, or chill for 30 minutes if you prefer it cold. Enjoy as a salad, in lettuce wraps, or stuffed into tortillas for wraps!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Salad , Lunch
- Method: No cook , Tossed
- Cuisine: Southwest / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg