Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

When you’re craving something fresh, filling, and full of bold flavor, nothing quite beats a southwest chicken salad.

This colorful salad layers juicy chicken with crunchy vegetables, creamy dressing, and hearty beans, making it a balanced dish that feels both nourishing and satisfying.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a healthy lunch, or a make-ahead option for meal prep, this salad has you covered.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from picking the right ingredients to making the perfect southwest dressing, so you can enjoy this chicken salad recipe again and again.

What makes a southwest chicken salad so special?

The magic of a southwest chicken salad lies in its bold mix of textures and flavors. You get smoky grilled chicken breast paired with creamy avocado, crunchy bell pepper, and juicy tomato.

Add in black beans and sweet corn for substance, and suddenly your salad bowl feels like a complete meal.

Cilantro brings about the freshness and lime juice gives that bright zing. Toss everything with a creamy dressing that ties the southwest flavors together, and you have a dish that manages to be both hearty and light.

It’s no wonder people call this their favorite salad. The combination of protein, veggies, and healthy fats means it’s not just another side salad, it’s the kind of satisfying salad you’ll want to make on repeat.

How do you make this southwestern chicken salad at home?

If you’re thinking this will take all afternoon, let me reassure you: this salad recipe is super easy to make.

You can start with grilled chicken, shredded chicken, or even rotisserie chicken to keep things simple.

A large bowl is your best friend here, toss in romaine lettuce or salad greens, layer in black beans, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and red onion, then top it with sliced chicken.

The real star is the southwest salad dressing. Whether you go for a creamy dressing made with plain greek yogurt or a lighter lime dressing with olive oil and fresh lime juice, this salad dressing brings everything together.

It gives you that creamy texture without weighing down the freshness of the ingredients.

What Ingredients Do You Need

For the Salad:

• 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 cups cooked chicken (grilled chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or shredded chicken all work)
• 1 cup of black beans that are rinsed and drained (canned black beans are fine)
• 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen corn thawed, or canned corn, drained)
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, that are halved (or diced tomatoes if that’s what you have)
• 1 red bell pepper, have it diced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup cotija cheese or shredded cheese
• Tortilla chips, crushed, for topping (optional)

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup greek yogurt (plain greek yogurt or nonfat greek yogurt both work)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or substitute more yogurt for lighter dressing)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (or fresh lime juice if you have it)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make This Salad

1. Start with a large bowl and layer in the romaine lettuce. This will be the base or first layer of your salad.
2. Add in the black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, avocado, and cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
3. Shred your cooked chicken if it isn’t already shredded. Add it on top of the salad mixture.
4. Have a small bowl, add in the greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, taco seasoning, olive oil, salt, and pepper, whisk them until smooth. This creates a creamy spicy southwest salad dressing with just the right amount of tang.
5. Pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss everything together until well coated.
6. Sprinkle cotija cheese and crushed tortilla chips over the salad for a finishing touch.
7. Serve right away, or store in the fridge in an airtight container if making ahead. For meal prep, have the dressing kept separately until ready to eat.

What’s the best way to serve and enjoy this chicken salad recipe?

This is one of those salads that feels right at home in so many settings. Serve it in a big salad bowl for family dinners, or portion it out for healthy lunches during the week. Top it with cotija, shredded cheese, or crushed tortilla chips for extra flavor.

If you want to make this southwest chicken salad recipe the centerpiece of a meal, serve it with warm bread or even as a filling in wraps. The creamy dressing, juicy chicken, and fresh vegetables make it versatile enough to enjoy this chicken salad in countless ways.

Why will you love this recipe?

Because it’s everything you want in a satisfying salad: fresh, filling, colorful, and easy to make. It balances protein with vegetables, creamy dressing with crunchy toppings, and healthy fats with bright flavors. It’s one of those healthy salad recipes that feels indulgent but is nourishing at the same time.

If you’ve ever thought of salad as a side dish, this one will change your mind. You’ll find yourself saying, “I love this recipe” every time you make it. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you that eating well can also mean eating joyfully.

Can you make this southwestern chicken salad ahead of time?

Yes, and in fact, I recommend it if you want to save time during the week. Make this southwestern chicken salad once, and you’ll have multiple meals ready to go. Just keep the creamy dressing separate until serving, so everything stays crisp.

This is the kind of meal prep dish that feels fresh even on day three. The beans, chicken, and veggies hold up beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge, and when you’re ready to eat, all you have to do is add avocado, drizzle on your chicken salad dressing, and dig in.