Southwest Chicken Salad

This Southwest Chicken Salad has all the bold and satisfying flavors you could want in a salad. Fresh romaine lettuce with tomatoes, green onions, and bell peppers. Add to that some pepper jack cheese, fire roasted corn, and seasoned rotisserie chicken. Delicious!

Southwest Chicken Salad

I love simple, easy to make meals, which is why I use a bag of lettuce and a rotisserie chicken here.

The lettuce has already been washed and chopped, although not chopped enough in my weird opinion.

And who doesn’t love a rotisserie chicken? I eat half of it before it gets into the salad. LOL

One more thing, this recipe is great for doubling if you plan on feeding a small crowd.

Creamy cilantro dressing over a side dish of mixed veggies, romaine lettuce, and pepper jack cheese.

Making a Southwest Chicken Salad

Have a large bowl out so you can dump everything into it as you chop chop chop away.

I start with the lettuce. You don’t have to further chop it, but it sure is easier to eat it when it’s in smaller pieces. Plus, you won’t have dressing all over your face. Win win!

Have the frozen corn defrosting on the counter as you drain the black beans.

I love fire roasted corn, because of the char marks. It looks cool and adds a bit of flavor.

Chopped fresh veggies, seasoned chicken, and romaine lettuce.

For the shredded cheese, I buy a bag of pre-shredded vs. shredding a brick, and here’s why.

Pre-shredded cheese has a starch mixed in with it so it doesn’t clump and stick to itself. In other words, it mixes easier with the other ingredients.

Side note: that’s why, for melting purposes, I use a brick of cheese and shred it myself — no additives.

Southwest Chicken Salad

Ok, back to the salad…chop the green onions, bell pepper, tomato, and avocado.

Beautiful fresh veggies make the best salad, and these colors are so pretty.

For the bell pepper, I love green. Next, I love red. The yellow and orange bell peppers are just as pretty, they’re just on the sweeter side.

Lastly, sprinkle some cumin on your chopped chicken, then toss it all together.

It’s tasty enough to eat just as is, but a Creamy Cilantro Dressing is a perfect Southwest compliment to this salad.

I have to say, however, this salad is just as good with a simple olive oil.

Make the salad ahead of time, then serve the dressing on the side to keep the lettuce fresh and crisp.

Looking For More Salad Recipes?

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5 from 3 votes

Southwest Chicken Salad

Delicious flavors of black beans, fire roasted corn, and cumin-seasoned chicken mixed with romaine lettuce.
Prep Time30 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cool and refreshing, easy dinner, quick and easy
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 236kcal
Author: Sweet Ordeal

Ingredients

  • 9 oz. bag romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 15 oz. black beans, drained
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 cup frozen corn (plain or fire roasted), defrosted
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, etc.)
  • 1/2 green bell pepper (or red, yellow, or orange), chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomato (or 1 medium), chopped
  • 1/2 avocado, chopped
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp. cumin

Instructions

  • Chop the romaine lettuce into smaller pieces and place in large bowl.
  • Add in the black beans, onions, corn, cheese, bell pepper, tomato, and avocado.
  • Season chicken with cumin and add into the salad. Toss and serve with a Creamy Cilantro Dressing, or dressing of your choice. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3086IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetordeal or tag #sweetordeal!

Southwest Chicken Salad

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A beautiful, colorful side dish made with romaine lettuce.Southwest Chicken SaladCopyright © Sweet Ordeal. All content and images are copyright protected. Do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, make sure to re-write the recipe in your own words and only list ingredients making sure to link back to this post for the original recipe and directions.

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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