Southwest Chicken Salad

Behind This Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

It’s no secret that I love a good chicken salad. In fact, it’s one of the things I make most frequently for lunch during the summer because it typically requires no cooking, and it’s great for meal prep. It’s also no secret that I love big, bold flavors.

So, naturally, I am always finding new ways to combine chicken salad and bold flavors. This Southwest chicken salad is now one of my all-time favorites for that reason. It definitely ranks high next to jalapeno popper chicken salad and buffalo chicken salad for “chicken salads that pack in flavor AND protein”.

It’s packed with fiber and protein, thanks to the black beans and shredded chicken, while bell peppers, jalapenos, corn, and onions add lots of freshness and crunch. It’s all tossed with a chipotle honey lime dressing to really amplify all those yummy Southwest flavors. I used Greek yogurt and just a small amount of mayonnaise for the dressing, making it much lighter than most chicken salads (but still creamy).

This one works so well for meal prep because it lasts for a few days in the fridge, and it’s so filling, whether you enjoy it with veggies and crackers or turn it into a sandwich.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Use rotisserie chicken. One of my favorite hacks for making any chicken salad is to use rotisserie chicken. It’s already perfectly cooked, seasoned, and juicy without any effort on my part. (And the rest of it can be used for other meals, too.)
• Taste test the dressing. I always like to give the chipotle honey lime dressing a taste before adding it to the chicken. That way, I can adjust any of the ingredients if it needs more salt, more lime, a bit more chipotle, etc.
• Customize the spice level. This Southwest chicken salad is definitely more flavorful than spicy, but the jalapeno peppers and spices do add a bit of a kick. For a milder version, omit the jalapenos or remove the seeds. For a spicier version, add some red pepper flakes, use hotter peppers, or add a splash of hot sauce.
• Make ahead. While you can totally enjoy this salad right after making it, I definitely recommend making it at least an hour or two ahead of time. It tastes so much better once the flavors have had a chance to meld together.

Ingredients You’ll Need & Why

Here’s an overview of everything you’ll need to add to your shopping list to make this Southwest chicken salad recipe. You’ll find precise measurements in the recipe card below.

• Chicken – I like to use rotisserie chicken to keep things simple, but feel free to poach your own chicken at home. Canned chicken also works in a pinch.
• Black beans – Be sure to drain and rinse canned beans. They add lots of filling fiber, extra protein, and great flavor.
• Corn – Canned sweet corn works great in a pinch. Frozen and thawed corn also works. For a twist, try using fire-roasted corn.
• Peppers – A combination of red and green bell peppers and jalapenos adds flavor, heat, and a pop of color to the salad.
• Onion – I opted for a green onion (using both the green and white parts) because it isn’t quite as potent as raw red onion. But feel free to use red onion if that’s what you have on hand!
• Cilantro – Fresh cilantro adds lots of vibrant flavor. If you think cilantro tastes like soap, go ahead and skip it – the salad will still taste great!
• Greek yogurt – Using Greek yogurt as the base of the dressing keeps this dish lighter than most chicken salad recipes and adds a bit more protein. Just be sure to use regular plain Greek yogurt.
• Mayonnaise – I still like to add a bit of mayo to balance the tangy Greek yogurt flavor.
• Chipotle adobo sauce – This is the sauce that comes in jars with chipotle peppers. It adds the warm, smoky chipotle flavor to the dressing.
• Lime – Adding both fresh lime juice and lime zest adds some tangy citrus that brightens the dressing and balances the creaminess.
• Honey – A tiny amount of honey helps balance the tart, tangy flavors in the dressing.
• Spices – Chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper add more great Southwest flavor to the dressing.

How To Make Southwest Chicken Salad

I’m not exaggerating when I say that this salad comes together in less than 15 minutes!

• Make the dressing. Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Give it a taste and adjust as needed.
• Add the ingredients. Combine all of the remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl.
• Toss. Pour the dressing on top. Toss to coat. Enjoy immediately or pop in the fridge to chill.

Ways to Serve It

One thing I love about this salad is just how versatile it is to enjoy as a light lunch or even a snack. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it.

• Tortilla chips – The Southwest flavors pair perfectly with tortilla chips. If you really want to go wild, they are even better with Nacho Doritos.
• Lettuce – Either serve scoops of chicken salad over a bed of lettuce, or you can scoop it into romaine lettuce boats.
• Make it a sandwich – I love to put chicken salad in between two toasted slices of bread or a croissant (just like how Chicken Salad Chick does it).
• Veggies – Cucumber spears or rounds, celery, carrots, and zucchini spears work particularly well here.
• Just dig in – Sometimes just grabbing a spoon and eating it straight up is one of my favorite ways to enjoy chicken salad.

How to Store

Place the Southwest chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I do not recommend freezing it.

Some of my favorite meal prep containers are these cups with lids that comes with a spoon. Or, these dual-compartment containers are perfect for storing your salad on one side and the dippers on the other side.

Looking for More Chicken Salad Recipes?

• BLT Chicken Salad
• Dill Pickle Chicken Salad
• Italian Grinder Chicken Salad
• Thai Cucumber Salad with Chicken
• Street Corn Chicken Salad
• Buffalo Chicken Salad

I hope you enjoyed this recipe for my Southwest Chicken Salad. Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback!

If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured on my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day!