This Southwest chicken salad recipe is bursting with delicious bold flavors and packed with protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy meal prep option for busy days.
What makes this salad even better is how easy it is to customize. I used mixed greens as the base, but feel free to switch it up with your favorite lettuce—crunchy romaine adds a great texture. Want to turn up the heat? Sprinkle a little extra chili powder on the chicken for that spicy kick. I love drizzling it with Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado dressing, but if you’re in the mood to get creative, a homemade greek yogurt cilantro lime dressing works beautifully too.
Ingredients in SouthWest Salad Recipe 
1 1/4 lb Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp Cumin
½ tsp chili pepper (double this if you like it spicy!)
1 tsp Garlic powder
½ tsp salt
2 TBSP Olive oil, divided
1 TBSP Lime juice
8 Cups Salad greens
1 Cup Red onion, chopped
1.5 Cups Cherry tomato
1 Cup Black beans, rinsed and drained
1 Cup Corn kernels
8 TBSP Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado dressing
How to Make a SouthWest Chicken Salad
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F and lightly spraying the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Next, in a small bowl, mix together the cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt.
- Brush the chicken breast with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then generously sprinkle the seasoning on both sides.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes. Flip, then cook for an additional 6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden. While the chicken is cooking, it’s the perfect time to prep the rest of the salad.
- In another small bowl, stir together the corn, black beans, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and lime juice, set aside.
- Next, chop the red onion.
- Divide the lettuce into four bowls.
- Top each with the tomatoes, red onion, and the corn and bean mixture.
- Once the chicken is done, slice it into strips and add it to each salad bowl.
- When you’re ready to eat, drizzle with Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado dressing—or your favorite dressing—and dig in!
Nutrition Facts: This recipe makes 4 Salads: Calories: 411 Total Fat: 13 g Saturated Fat: 2 g Carb: 32 g Fiber: 8 g Sugar: 8 g Protein: 43 g Sodium: 750 mg
Variations of Southwest Salad
Protein: Not in the mood for chicken? Try grilled shrimp or ground turkey. Rotisserie chicken is also a great shortcut if you’re in a time crunch.
Mix Up the Greens
Mixed greens work great, but you can also use romaine lettuce, spinach, or even a cabbage slaw mix for extra crunch.
Kick up the Heat Or Clam Down the Spice
Do you like it hot? Add extra chili powder and or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend. Prefer a milder flavor? Skip the chilli powder and just use a little cumin and garlic for a milder flavor.
How to Store
This Southwest chicken salad is perfect for meal prep and holds up well for 3 days IF you store and pack it up right. Here are a few simple tips:
- Store Components Separately
To prevent everything from getting soggy, store the salad ingredients, chicken, and dressing in separate containers. - Use Airtight Containers
Use airtight containers to store each component in the fridge.
FAQs:
Q: Is southwest chicken salad healthy?
A: YES, this salad is loaded with lean protein and fiber. That is the right combination of ingredients if you are watching your weight or trying to control your blood sugar or cholesterol.
Q: What comes on a Southwest Chicken Salad?
A: Southwest salads can always be customized, but the usual ingredients include salad greens with avocado, corn and black beans. Typically, you will see seasonings like cilantro, lime and cumin and of chili powder.
Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Chili powder double if you like it spicy!
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsps Olive oil divided
- 1 tbsp Lime juice
- 8 cups Salad greens
- 1 cup Red onion chopped
- 1 1/2 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup Black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup Corn
- 8 tbsp Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado dressing
Instructions
- Preheating your air fryer to 400°F and lightly spraying the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and salt.
- Brush the chicken breast with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then generously sprinkle the seasoning on both sides.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes. Flip, then cook for an additional 6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden. While the chicken is cooking, it’s time to prep the rest of the salad.
- In another small bowl, stir together the corn, black beans, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and lime juice.
- Next, chop the red onion.
- Divide the lettuce into four bowls.
- Top each with the tomatoes, red onion, and the corn and bean mixture.
- Once the chicken is done, slice it into strips and add it to each salad bowl.
- Drizzle with Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado dressing—or your favorite dressing—and dig in!
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author: Rachel Roberts Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist
Rachel Roberts is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist in Rhode Island, a Certified Personal Trainer, business owner, mom, wife, and self-proclaimed foodie with over 20 years of experience in the field of health and wellness. She believes that healthy eating should not be complicated or time-consuming. Follow her on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram for more Dietitian approved recipes and healthy lifestyle tips to improve your health.
Need some help getting your health on track? Rachel and her team of Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists help people lose weight and achieve their health and wellness goals! Meet in person with one of our Nutritionists in RI. We also offer online nutrition coaching sessions to people in RI, MA, CT and FL. Click here to schedule a consultation. In most cases our nutritionists are 100% covered by health insurance.
