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Southwest Chicken Salad

July 20, 2020 by Pinch of Wellness 3 Comments

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Put a twist on your normal chicken salad recipe by making this Southwest chicken salad! This salad is made with corn, beans, Greek Yogurt, shredded chicken and Mexican flavored seasonings. No lettuce required!

Southwest chicken salad

Southwest chicken salad may quickly become your new favorite meal. It tastes just as good a couple days after making, as it does the first day. I love to make a big batch and snack on it throughout the week. There’s so many different ways to eat it (dip, sandwich, taco) that it never gets old.

Leave a comment and let me know if you’ve made this! I’d love to hear how it was!

southwest chicken salad ingredients

Ingredients

  • Shredded Chicken Breast: Use boneless, skinless shredded chicken breast. The crock pot is an easy way to make tender, shredded chicken. Another alternative is to cook the chicken in the oven or Instant Pot, and then shred using two forks.
  • Bell Peppers: Choose any color- red, yellow, orange or green. Peppers add nutrition and some extra crunch.
  • Black Beans: Use canned, drained black beans. If concerned about sodium, look for beans labeled "No Salt Added".
  • Corn: Use canned, drained corn. Another alternative is frozen corn that has been defrosted in the microwave until tender and all water is drained.
  • Cilantro: Chop into small pieces. Adds extra flavor!
  • Green Onions: Adds excellent flavor to the dish
  • Greek Yogurt: Traditional chicken salads call for mayo, however this dish uses Greek yogurt as a healthier alternative that is lower in fat and calories. Look for plain Greek yogurt that is non-fat.
  • Spices: taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder & chili powder. All spices add excellent flavor to the dish. Adjust to your liking.
  • Hot Sauce: Use your favorite hot sauce. This is optional. Increase or decrease the amount used to alter the spice level.

Serving suggestions

There’s a variety of different ways that this dip can be eaten. While typical chicken salad is eaten cold, it can also be heated and eaten warm. The best part about this meal is that you can eat it in a variety of different ways, which helps to keep the leftovers interesting.

  • Serve between 2 slices of bread; cold or warm.
  • Serve on a corn tortilla topped with salsa.
  • Make it a dip: tortilla chips, Fritos, pretzels, crackers or veggies. Tastes great hot or cold.
  • Top your salad- Place it atop a bed of romaine lettuce, chopped tomatoes, carrots and avocados.
  • Make a bowl: place on top of a bowl of rice or quinoa and serve warm

Suggested toppings

This dip does not require any additional toppings. But, if you are into toppings and want that extra kick, here’s some ideas:

  • Salsa or Pico de Gallo
  • Guacamole
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Olives
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Extra hot sauce

Spice Level

This dish is relatively mild. Make it extra spicy by adding extra hot sauce. Also, top it with medium or spicy salsa for additional spice.

southwest chicken salad

Allergens

Southwest chicken salad can easily be made gluten free. While most ingredients are naturally gluten free, always double check the labels. Taco seasoning can sometimes contain wheat, so make sure to check the package!

Serve this in a gluten-free way by making a sandwich with gluten free bread, serving on corn tortillas or by dipping with tortilla chips or pretzels.

Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This dip holds up very well and tastes just as good when eaten a few days later, as it did the first day. It is not recommended to freeze this dish.

Nutrition Information

1 serving of Southwest chicken salad is ~½ cup. There are 110 calories/serving and 10 grams of protein/serving.

Southwest chicken salad is made with Greek yogurt, which makes it lower in fat than your normal chicken salad that’s made with mayo. Also, this salad is packed with protein! The beans, chicken and Greek yogurt all provide great protein.

One more thing to note—this salad has lots of fiber (3.6 grams of fiber). The beans are an excellent source of fiber. (More about fiber here!)

southwest chicken salad

More Healthy Dinner Ideas

  • Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl
  • Loaded Mini Pepper Nachos
SW chicken salad
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Southwest Chicken Salad

Southwest chicken salad has Greek yogurt, corn, black beans, bell peppers and flavorful Mexican spices. This dish can be eaten hot or cold as a sandwich, wrap or dip.
Prep Time15 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken recipes, easy dinner, easy mexican dish, Healthy
Servings: 14 servings
Calories: 110kcal
Author: Pinch of Wellness

Ingredients

  • 12 oz cooked chicken shredded
  • 2 red or orange bell peppers chopped
  • 2 cans (15.5 oz cans) black beans drained
  • 1 can (15.5oz) corn drained
  • ½ cup cilantro chopped
  • ¾ cup green onions chopped
  • 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt nonfat
  • ¼ cup taco seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, bell peppers, beans, corn, cilantro and green onions. Mix until combined.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and hot sauce. Mix until combined.
  • Add the Greek yogurt mixture into the chicken. Mix until combined.
  • Serve on bread, tortillas or as a dip with chips/crackers. This can be eaten hot or cold. Enjoy!

Notes

1 serving = ½ cup of mixture
Nutrition facts may vary based on ingredient brands used. 
Make it spicier by adding more hot sauce. 
Optional Toppings: salsa, cheese, guacamole or sour cream

  • BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes
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    Copycat Chipotle Chicken Bowl
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maggie

    July 22, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    The Southwest Chicken Salad looks yummy! I'm always wanting some new dinner options! Thank you!

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Pinch of Wellness

      July 22, 2020 at 4:48 pm

      It’s such an easy dinner option 😊😊
      Reply
  2. Maggie

    July 22, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    BBQ Stuffed Sweet Potatoes sounds awesome! This would be an entree my family would eat! Thank you!

    5 stars

    Reply

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Pinch of Wellness is all about making recipes easy and healthy! I’m a Registered Dietitian, self proclaimed lover of food and have a passion for nutrition and health! Most recipes on Pinch of Wellness are intended for the individual who is looking for convenient meal ideas that taste great and have healthy ingredients! Learn More!

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