This Southwest Salad is a quick healthy meal made with chicken breasts, mixed greens, corn, black beans and homemade chipotle ranch dressing. Serve it with crunchy tortilla strips or guacamole if you wish!
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Table of Contents
What is a Southwest Salad
Southwest cuisine is food that includes fusion cooking and recipes from Spanish settlers, Native Americans, and/or Mexicans. Meals usually include tostadas, burritos, cactus fries, salsa, rice, beans, and more.
I have had a few versions of this salad in my life, the most recent was during a trip to the Southwest to Phoenix. I ordered a Southwest Wedge that was loaded with avocado, tomatoes, bacon, corn, and black beans. The dressing was also to die for!
There's also the McDonald's Southwest Salad which is made of baby kale, baby spinach, romaine, red leaf lettuce, poblano peppers, tomatoes, corn, black beans, cilantro, lime, tortilla chips, and Jack and cheddar cheese.
Recipe Ingredients
- Mixed Greens
- Cooked Chicken
- Corn
- Black Beans
- Tomato
- Avocado
What Type of Chicken to Use
I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cooked rotisserie chicken, or store-bought pre-cooked chicken strips.
I like to cook 10-12 ounces of chicken breasts using ¼ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. You can air fry, pan sear, or bake the chicken. Check out my Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe for instructions.
Dressing Ingredients
You can grab the Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing recipe here.
How to Substitute Chipotles in Adobo Sauce in the Dressing
You can use your favorite hot sauce. You can also use fresh tomatoes and smoked paprika (season to your taste).
How to Make Southwest Salad
- Combine mixed greens, corn, cooked chicken, black beans, tomatoes, and avocado on a plate or bowl.
- Drizzle with dressing.
How to Make it Spicy
You can add cayenne pepper to your dressing and even your chicken for an extra kick.
Are Southwest Salads Healthy?
This recipe is made with leafy green vegetables and real food ingredients. The dressings on salads are usually where it can be easy to load up on calories and sugar. Most store-bought brands have a large amount of added sugar. You can avoid that by making your own ranch or using a brand like Primal Kitchen, which has no added sugar.
Additional Toppings and Substitution Ideas
- Guacamole
- Tortilla Strips
- Jalapenos
- Refried Beans
- Bell Peppers
- Onions
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Bacon
- Shrimp
- Olives
- Goat Cheese
- Croutons
- Dried Fruit
- Pecans
- Peanuts
- Sunflower Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Broccoli Sprouts
- Lime
More Chicken Recipes to Pair
Ninja Foodi Grill Chicken Breast
Jerk Chicken Thighs
Jerk Shrimp
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Smoked Salsa Recipe
More Salad Recipes
Healthy Breakfast Salad
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese
Green Goddess Cobb Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Southern Potato Salad
Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Easy Spaghetti Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Southern Macaroni Salad
Southern Coleslaw
Southwest Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups fresh mixed greens
- ¼ cup sliced avocado
- ¼ cup cooked black beans
- ¼ cup cooked whole kernel corn
- ¼ cup chopped tomatoes
- 4-5 oz cooked chicken breast Sliced into strips. See notes.
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl or on a plate.
- Drizzle with dressing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Cara says
Yummmmmmm! We used leftover veggies we had in the fridge (bell peppers, avocado) and frozen corn. This chipotle ranch SLAPS! So good - husband devoured his entire bowl, a feat considering he typically only enjoys Caesar salads. I sautéed the chicken with the seasoning, bell peppers, corn and some of the leftover adobo sauce and for extra spice. Thanks Brandi for another delicious salad!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jacqueline says
Great recipe! Simple and easy
staysnatched says
Gotta love simple and easy!
Lisa says
This was soooooo good. I was planning on making a salad for lunch anyway but it would have been boring and not enjoyable. Then this recipe came on my feed and I jumped up and made it right away including the dressing. I even plated it beautifully my friend made a comment it looks like a salad you’d get at a restaurant. Make this!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad to hear that.
Heather says
People who think salad is boring? Couldn't be me!! Thanks for another A+ recipe.
staysnatched says
haha! Thank you!
Sabrina B says
Loved this! I used ground turkey with your homemade taco seasoning recipe (if ya'll haven't tried that yet go check it out, its fire) and made the dressing as well. Had it all week for lunch at work and literally looked forward to it every day. Thank you for the under-appreciated salad recipe 🙂
staysnatched says
haha you're welcome!
A. G. says
This was definitely delicious, easy and somewhat healthy for me to take for lunch! My first time making my own ranch and wow! Will add this as a staple meal
staysnatched says
I love when a meal becomes a staple!
Felicia says
The Chipotle ranch is fire! Don’t underestimate how a dressing will make your salad pop. I meal prepped this and just finished the last of it today. It was a great, filling lunch. There’s nothing worst than having a salad and being hungry 5 seconds later. You don’t have to worry about that with this recipe. Thank you for this easy and tasty recipe!
staysnatched says
Thank you for sharing!
Hattie says
I’ve made this no less than three times now and I cannot get enough! I add a little lime juice once I have it all mixed together and it’s great!
staysnatched says
I love that idea!
Kasey says
I was missing a couple ingredients so I added a 1/4 of Spanish rice for filler. I also added a little fresh lime juice after it was all put together. This salad combo with the chipotle ranch was so freaking good!!! I think I found my new go to dressing! Simple and incredibly tasty!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Emily says
Such a good salad and the best toppings! And I’m making my own chipotle ranch every time now. So easy!
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear you will be making your own!
Ashley says
Just prepped this salad for the week. Simple and delicious and loaded with flavor. The Southwest Salad Dressing is an amazing compliment to a medley of delicious ingredients! Air fried chicken tenderloins has me ready for the week in a snap.
staysnatched says
Yum! That sounds so good.
Sara says
Prepped this salad for lunches this week. I couldn’t wait to test it out, so I had it for supper tonight! Ingredient prep was simple. I tweaked the components to my preferences and what I had on hand. Chipotle Ranch was fantastic and the perfect way to tie it together!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed the salad!
Sydney says
This salad is so good! The dressing was very easy to make and of course complimented the salad well!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jill says
I made the chicken in this post/recipe for lunches. The chicken is flavorful and all the spices I already had. Definitely make this chicken.
staysnatched says
Glad to hear it!