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!
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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!
Dice the chicken into small cubes, chop the kale into small pieces, and cut the cheese into small cubes.
Create!
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.
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.
Present!
Divide the kale, corn mixture, cheese, and chicken between 2 bowls. Top with 1-2 spoonfuls of the Cilantro Lime Avocado Dressing.
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
Love this Southwestern Chicken Salad? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!
Southwestern Chicken Salad
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.
Nutrition
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.
Karyn says
What an amazing looking salad so fresh and tasty..a real summer dish now bring on the sun
Lauren says
Thank you! It’s been dreary here too and no end in sight 🙁
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
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.
Lauren says
I thought we ate a lot of salad! Thanks so much for your kind words 🙂
Ashley - Forking Up says
I love chopped salad–it’s so easy to get a little bit of everything in one bite! And that cheese is my favorite.
Lauren says
That’s exactly why I love chopped salad too!
Molly Kumar says
This looks so delicious and I love chicken salad. Love all the flavor combination you’ve used and would try this soon.
Lauren says
Thanks so much Molly!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
I sure do love a good chopped salad. The jalapeno jack cheese is an awesome addition! Southwestern flavors are the best!
Lauren says
Yes!! I love Southwestern evvvverything!!
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
I’ve actually been looking for a new salad recipe for an upcoming gathering with friends, so this Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad is perfect!
Lauren says
Perfect! I hope everyone enjoys it!
Veena says
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..
Lauren says
Thank you Veena! Hopefully Heluva Good starts expanding – it’s my favorite!
Adriana says
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.
Lauren says
So funny – I always forget they make dips! The cheese is the best! Thanks for stopping by!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
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.
Lauren says
Thank you! We are a house full of cheese addicts so I can totally relate to always having to have it on hand!
Pam says
Wow, that looks awesome. I love salads like this, especially during the summer months when I am craving fresh foods.
Lauren says
Thanks Pam!
Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen says
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!
Lauren says
Ahh! That’s actually chicken but diced small that I think you are mistaking for chickpeas – but you could easily swap the two 🙂