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You are here: Home / Recipes / Salads / Southwestern Chicken Salad

Southwestern Chicken Salad

Published April 24, 2019. Last updated August 4, 2019 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

This Southwestern Chicken Salad is full of healthy ingredients! Kale, vegetables, cheese, corn, black beans, and chicken are chopped and combined, then topped with an incredibly delicious Cilantro Lime Avocado Dressing!

Southwestern Chicken Salad in a white bowl with a half of avocado and a second bowl of salad in the back ground on a white backdrop with a fork

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My fiancé and I have both been working really hard to get back in shape after a crazy couple of years with our kids. Healthy living is something that has always been important to both of us. Delicious salads are once again back on regular rotation.

A healthy salad recipe that’s easy to make, filling, and full of flavor is always a great choice for lunch or dinner. This Southwestern Chicken Salad meets all those requirements. The icing on the cake (or rather, the dressing on the salad) is a Cilantro Lime Avocado Dressing that is so good. You will want to eat it straight off the spoon!

Why This Recipe Works

  • This salad is loaded with healthy ingredients like kale, chicken, red peppers, black beans, spicy cheese, and avocado.
  • You can enjoy this salad as a complete meal for lunch or dinner.
  • Have this salad prepared and on the table in just 20 minutes.

How to Make Southwestern Chicken Salad

Prep!

Ingredients for Southwestern Chicken Salad on a white background. Ingredients are in small bowls or on small plates.

Dice the chicken into small cubes, chop the kale into small pieces, and cut the cheese into small cubes.

Create!

Seasoned chicken chunks cooking in a cast iron skillet

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the chili powder.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a medium skillet over medium heat and add the chicken.  Cook for about 5 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center.  Set aside to cool.

Corn, black beans, and diced red pepper mixed with chili powder in a small silver bowl.

In a small bowl, combine the corn, black beans, red pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the chili powder.  Stir to combine.

Cilantro Lime Avocado Dressing in a Small Green Bowl

To make the avocado puree, add the avocado, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, and agave to a blender cup.  Season with salt and pepper.  Blend until well combined and smooth.

Present!

Overhead view of Southwestern Chicken Salad in a white bowl with a half of avocado and a second bowl of salad in the back ground on a white backdrop with a fork

Divide the kale, corn mixture, cheese, and chicken between 2 bowls.  Top with 1-2 spoonfuls of the Cilantro Lime Avocado Dressing.

A forkful of Southwestern Chicken Salad with the bowl of salad and an avocado half in the background

Toss, if desired, and enjoy!

Tips & Technique for the Best Southwestern Chicken Salad

  • If you absolutely do not like kale, you can substitute Romaine lettuce instead.
  • Store any leftover salad and dressing separately, tightly covered in the refrigerator.

FAQ’s

  • Is Southwestern Chicken Salad gluten free? Yes, this recipe is 100% gluten free without any needed modifications.
  • Is Southwestern Chicken Salad healthy? With the definition of “healthy” meaning different things to different people, I can say that this salad is loaded with good-for-you vegetables and healthy fats like avocado and extra virgin olive oil.

Other Recipes to Try

  • Southwestern Chicken Quinoa
  • Southwestern Chicken Cups
  • Roasted Apple Arugula Salad

Love this Southwestern Chicken Salad? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

Ingredients Chopped and in Bowls
Print

Southwestern Chicken Salad

This Southwestern Chicken Salad is full of healthy ingredients! Kale, vegetables, cheese, and chicken are chopped and combined, then topped with an incredibly delicious Cilantro Lime Avocado Puree!
Course Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine Chicken, Gluten Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 598kcal
Author Lauren Vavala

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1/2 pound chicken * diced small
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1.2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder * divided
  • 2 cups kale * chopped
  • 1/2 cup corn
  • 1/2 cup black beans
  • 1/4 cup red pepper * diced small
  • 1/4 cup pepperjack cheese * diced small

Cilantro Lime Avocado Dressing

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 lime * juiced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon agave
  • salt and pepper * optional, to taste

Instructions

  • Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the chili powder.
  • In a small bowl, combine the corn, black beans, red pepper, and remaining 1/2 t of chili powder.  Stir to combine.
  • In a small bowl, combine the corn, black beans, red pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the chili powder. Stir to combine.
  • To make the avocado puree, add the avocado, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, and agave to a blender cup. Season with salt and pepper. Blend until well combined and smooth.
  • Divide the kale, corn mixture, cheese, and chicken between 2 bowls. Top with 1-2 spoonfuls of the Cilantro Lime Avocado Dressing, toss, and enjoy!

Notes

Tips & Technique for the Best Southwestern Chicken Salad

  • If you absolutely do not like kale, you can substitute Romaine lettuce instead.
  • Store any leftover salad and dressing separately, tightly covered in the refrigerator.

FAQ’s

  • Is Southwestern Chicken Salad gluten free? Yes, this recipe is 100% gluten free without any needed modifications.
  • Is Southwestern Chicken Salad healthy? With the definition of “healthy” meaning different things to different people, I can say that this salad is loaded with good-for-you vegetables and healthy fats like avocado and extra virgin olive oil.
 
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 1558mg | Potassium: 1005mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 8065IU | Vitamin C: 122.5mg | Calcium: 241mg | Iron: 3.3mg

This recipe was originally published on July 17, 2017. It was updated with new images, more thorough instructions, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in April 2019.

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Filed Under: Chicken, Gluten Free, Recipes, Salads

Comments

  1. Karyn says

    July 26, 2017 at 1:48 pm

    What an amazing looking salad so fresh and tasty..a real summer dish now bring on the sun

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 27, 2017 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you! It’s been dreary here too and no end in sight 🙁

      Reply
  2. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

    July 25, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    We eat salad every single evening and many times for lunch. I guess you could call us experts! Your salad looks and sound delicious. I really think the dressing you picked for it really compliments the ingredients.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 26, 2017 at 11:42 am

      I thought we ate a lot of salad! Thanks so much for your kind words 🙂

      Reply
  3. Ashley - Forking Up says

    July 25, 2017 at 11:43 am

    I love chopped salad–it’s so easy to get a little bit of everything in one bite! And that cheese is my favorite.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 26, 2017 at 11:45 am

      That’s exactly why I love chopped salad too!

      Reply
  4. Molly Kumar says

    July 25, 2017 at 11:31 am

    This looks so delicious and I love chicken salad. Love all the flavor combination you’ve used and would try this soon.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 26, 2017 at 11:45 am

      Thanks so much Molly!

      Reply
  5. Kylee from Kylee Cooks says

    July 25, 2017 at 11:05 am

    I sure do love a good chopped salad. The jalapeno jack cheese is an awesome addition! Southwestern flavors are the best!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 26, 2017 at 11:45 am

      Yes!! I love Southwestern evvvverything!!

      Reply
  6. Christine - Jar Of Lemons says

    July 25, 2017 at 10:42 am

    I’ve actually been looking for a new salad recipe for an upcoming gathering with friends, so this Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad is perfect!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 26, 2017 at 11:46 am

      Perfect! I hope everyone enjoys it!

      Reply
  7. Veena says

    July 25, 2017 at 7:39 am

    I really wish we could get Haluva good cheese here. I’ve tasted it before and it’s really good. I love using cheese in my salads too. This looks so pretty – yum..

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 26, 2017 at 11:47 am

      Thank you Veena! Hopefully Heluva Good starts expanding – it’s my favorite!

      Reply
  8. Adriana says

    July 25, 2017 at 3:42 am

    This is cool I did not know Helluva Good had cheese too, I must try the cheese and yoru yummy salada soon =) Looks so appetizing.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 26, 2017 at 11:48 am

      So funny – I always forget they make dips! The cheese is the best! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  9. valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says

    July 25, 2017 at 12:04 am

    I always have cheese in the house, it’s one of those things I don’t like to be out of. That sounds tasty. Hubby loves salads, I bet he’d enjoy this one.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 26, 2017 at 11:49 am

      Thank you! We are a house full of cheese addicts so I can totally relate to always having to have it on hand!

      Reply
  10. Pam says

    July 24, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    Wow, that looks awesome. I love salads like this, especially during the summer months when I am craving fresh foods.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 24, 2017 at 8:58 pm

      Thanks Pam!

      Reply
  11. Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen says

    July 24, 2017 at 3:32 pm

    I’m so sad that Heluva Good cheese isn’t in my area. I’m hoping they go Nationwide soon! This chickpea salad looks awesome! I am always looking at ways to get more chickpeas into my diet and this is the perfect idea!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 24, 2017 at 8:58 pm

      Ahh! That’s actually chicken but diced small that I think you are mistaking for chickpeas – but you could easily swap the two 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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