Description
A quick and flavorful Southwest Chicken Salad featuring grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lime dressing, perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal ready in 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for chicken)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (for chicken)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (for dressing)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for dressing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Tortilla strips
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lime juice, salt, and pepper evenly on both sides to infuse flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Grill or pan-sear the chicken breasts over medium heat for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and juices run clear. Once done, remove from heat and let rest to retain moisture, then slice thinly.
- Prepare Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, drained black beans, and chopped fresh cilantro to create a vibrant salad mix.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste until well emulsified.
- Combine Chicken and Salad: Add the sliced chicken to the salad bowl with vegetables and beans.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together ensuring even coating and flavor balance.
- Garnish and Serve: Add optional toppings like shredded cheese, tortilla strips, sour cream, or jalapeños for added texture and flavor if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor in both the chicken marinade and dressing.
- Allow the chicken to rest after cooking to keep it juicy and tender.
- This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- Substitute grilled chicken with rotisserie chicken for an even quicker preparation.
- Optional toppings can be adjusted according to dietary preferences or omitted for a lighter salad.
