Description
A vibrant and flavorful Southwestern Chicken Salad combining grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and zesty spices for a bold and nutritious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- Optional: 1/4 cup jalapeños, sliced
- Optional: 1/4 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Mix olive oil, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and rub over chicken breasts.
- Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Chop lettuce, halve tomatoes, dice avocado, and slice red onion.
- Grill chicken 6-7 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Let chicken rest before slicing into strips.
- In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, avocado, red onion, and cilantro.
- Add grilled chicken slices.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese and optional toppings if using.
- Toss gently and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for more flavor. Toss avocado with lime juice to prevent browning. Don’t overcook the chicken—check internal temperature to ensure juiciness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken salad, southwestern salad, healthy chicken recipe, grilled salad