Whenever we go out and see a southwest chicken salad on the menu it always catches our eye! Some restaurants do a really solid job, and some are just okay! With this recipe, we wanted to capture all of our favorite parts of a solid southwest chicken salad! Whisk yourself away to the flavors of the southwest with our mouthwatering southwest chicken salad recipe. Packed with bold and vibrant ingredients like grilled chicken, fresh veggies, zesty spices, and creamy avocado. This salad is a fiesta on a plate! The harmonious blend of textures and flavors will satisfy your cravings while delivering a healthy and satisfying meal. Prepare to indulge in a southwest culinary adventure with every bite of our irresistible salad. Be sure to check out our suggested pairing below!

how to make Southwest Chicken Salad

INGREDIENTS :

3 heads of romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
2 bell peppers, finely diced
½ red onion, finely diced
1 ½ cans of black beans
1 ½ cans of whole kernel corn
¾ C cilantro, finely chopped
2 large flour tortillas, sliced into strips & fried
chicken, prepared as desired
goat cheese, crumbled for garnish
avocado, for garnish
limes, for garnish
12 fl oz cilantro ranch dressing

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METHOD

In a large bowl combine lettuce, bell peppers, red onion, beans, corn, cilantro, and tortilla strips. Gently mix together with salad tongs. Pour in the cilantro dressing and mix until all ingredients are combined.

Add the dressed salad to your serving bowl or platter. Then sprinkle a generous amount of goat cheese crumble. Add chicken, limes, and extra cilantro leaves for garnish.

Buon Appetito!

Notes

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A couple of pro tips :

For juicy and flavorful chicken, marinate it in a mixture of lime juice, cumin, chili powder, garlic, and Tajin (one of our favorite seasonings) before grilling.
Roast the corn and bell peppers for added smokiness and depth of flavor.
Customize the salad with your favorite toppings like avocado, pepitas, black beans, or tortilla strips for added texture and taste.

Suggested Pairing for Southwest chicken salad

Level up your southwest feast by pairing this salad with a frosty cantarito cocktail. The cocktail’s tangy kick and tequila buzz match the salad’s bold flavors. Together, they create a flavor explosion that you will want to be serving up at your next gathering. Get ready to savor the ultimate combination of bites and sips!

southwest chicken salad

Bites

Hi there,
We are Elise and Evan and we're so glad you are here! Cheffing up tasty bites and sips is our love language and we are very happy to share these recipes with you. We both have valuable restaurant experience and have learned a thing or two about making tasty bites and sips. Through Carnelian Cooks we are sharing all of our tips and tricks! Please provide a comment or feedback below on any recipes that you give a try.