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Best Southwest Chicken Salad: Fresh, Easy & Flavor-Packed

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Hot day. Empty fridge. Zero energy to cook. That’s exactly how this Southwest Chicken Salad earned its permanent spot in my meal rotation. It’s cool, hearty, and full of bold flavor, thanks to juicy chicken, black beans, sweet corn, crisp veggies, and a creamy, zesty dressing that pulls it all together. The best part? It comes together in about 10 minutes, no stove required. Whether you’re meal prepping or just need something fast that actually tastes amazing, this salad shows up every single time.

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb cooked shredded chicken about 23 breasts

1 can (15.5 oz) black beans rinsed and drained

1 can (15.25 oz) corn drained

12 fresh jalapeños seeded, chopped

3/4 cup cherry tomatoes quartered

1/2 cup red onion chopped

1/4 cup pepitas or sunflower seeds

DRESSING

3/4 cup mayo or greek yogurt

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a medium bowl and mix until everything’s well combined.
  2. Add the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeños, tomatoes, red onion, and pepitas to a large bowl.
  3. Pour the dressing over the top and stir until everything’s evenly coated.
  4. Serve it as-is, pile it into a sandwich, or spoon it over a bed of lettuce. Enjoy!

Notes

Great for meal prep: Store it in the fridge in an airtight container and it’ll stay fresh for 4–5 days, perfect for easy lunches all week!

  • Author: Jennifer West
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American