High Protein Southwest Chicken Salad
A vibrant, protein-packed Southwest-inspired salad with tender chicken, black beans, and zesty dressing. Perfect for quick meals or meal prep, this colorful dish balances sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors for a satisfying, healthy boost.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 2 to 3 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stirring/Mixing
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: High Protein
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup corn kernels
1/2 cup black beans, cooked
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium avocado, cubed
4 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Cook chicken breast in a pan or oven until fully cooked; shred or dice into cubes.
In a large bowl, combine corn, black beans, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, cherry tomatoes, and avocado.
In a separate small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Toss the dressing into the salad mixture and gently fold in cooked chicken.
Chill for 10–15 minutes before serving for optimal flavor.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
For a low-carb option, serve in lettuce cups instead of a bowl.
Add tortilla chips for crunch, if desired.
Chicken can be grilled for extra smoky flavor.