Southwestern Chicken Salad

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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

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

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

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

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.