My 5 Minute Southwest Chicken Salad is a no-cook meal that I can’t get enough of. Mixed greens are topped with diced chicken, avocado, corn, tomato, black beans, cheddar cheese, and a chipotle ranch dressing.
This is the type of meal that I make when I don’t feel like cooking but want something a bit more nutritious than ordering a pizza. You can prepare this salad with leftover chicken if you have some, or you can buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. I am able to find Chipotle Ranch salad dressing at my grocery store and I love the subtle kick of spice if gives this meal, but you could opt to use standard ranch dressing.
I think this salad is much more fun than a traditional Cobb Salad. The flavor combination of black beans, cheddar, and avocado is one of my favorite things. The best part? This meal takes about 5 minutes to prepare and it is loaded with vegetables and protein.
I based this salad on the salad that I regularly ordered from a restaurant by my office when I was working at Groupon six years ago. It’s crazy to think that I was paying $14 for this easy to make salad. The preparation work is just some chopping. If you want to pack this salad for lunch, use a mason jar, or cylindrical container and pack the toppings from most wet, to most dry with the lettuce on top.
Sometimes I add bacon or tortilla strips to add a little crunch. Other delicious additions would be a hard boiled egg, slices of jalapeño, chopped bell pepper, or cucumber.
5 Minute Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe:
Southwest Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups diced Chicken
- 2 cups Mixed Greens
- 1/2 cup Black Beans
- 1/2 cup Whole Kernel Corn
- 1/2 cup diced Avocado
- 1/2 cup diced Tomato
- 1/2 cup diced Cheddar Cheese (I used Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar)
- Chipotle Ranch Dressing
- Optional Toppings:
- Red Onion
- Bacon
- Tortilla Chips
Instructions
Drain and rinse the black beans. Drain the corn.
Chop the chicken, avocado, tomato, and cheese.
Assemble! Place a generous handful of greens on a plate. Top with the chicken, cheese, and vegetables. Either pour dressing over or serve it on the side.
Notes
This packs up well in a mason jar. Place the dressing and tomatoes in the bottom, then add the beans, corn, cheese, chicken, and greens. It's best to add the avocado just before eating.
Want to save this Southwest Chicken Salad recipe for later? Here is an image for you to save to Pinterest:
