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0 from 15 votes

Southwest Salad Recipe

Southwest Salad is a hearty mix of flavorful grilled chicken, avocado, cheese, corn, and beans served with a creamy cilantro dressing! It has that rich Mexican vibe, and it is done in 30 minutes or less!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 481 kcal
Course: Main Course , Salad
Cuisine: American , Mexican

Ingredients

For the Chicken:
  • 2 medium chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 lime zested and juiced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Salad:
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 ripe avocado sliced
  • 8 small cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 1/2 cup black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup corn rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
  • 1/4 cup cilantro for topping
Creamy Cilantro Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1/4 cup cilantro packed
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnish:
  • chopped green onions
  • cilantro

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add chicken breasts, taco seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, lime juice, zest, and olive oil in a medium ziplock bag. Close and shake well to fully coat the chicken into the mixture.
  2. Allow marinating for 10 minutes or up to 1-2 days in advance.
Cook the Chicken:
  1. Place a cast-iron grill skillet over medium-high heat and once it is hot brush it with about 1 teaspoon of oil.
  2. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, depends how thick the chicken is.
  3. You can also cook the chicken on a gas grill. Turn on the grill to medium-high, clean the grates, and grill the chicken on both sides for about 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
  4. Allow chicken to rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing it.
Creamy Cilantro Dressing:
  1. Add all the dressing ingredients to a food processor and pulse to combine until smooth.
Assemble:
  1. Place the chopped romaine lettuce on the bottom of a salad plate or bowl.
  2. Top with avocado, chopped tomatoes, black beans, corn, cilantro, cheddar cheese, and sliced chicken.
  3. Drizzle the dressing on top just before serving.
  4. Garnish with chopped cilantro and chopped green onions.

Nutrition Information

Calories 481kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 38g (76%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 85mg (28%) Sodium 754mg (31%) Potassium 995mg (28%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 2869IU (57%) Vitamin C 23mg (26%) Calcium 179mg (18%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 481

% Daily Value*

Calories 481kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 38g 76%
Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 85mg 28%
Sodium 754mg 31%
Potassium 995mg 21%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 2869IU 57%
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Calcium 179mg 18%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.