Southwest Chicken Salad with Homemade Creamy Avocado Dressing

Introducing the ultimate Southwest Chicken Salad featuring a luscious Avocado Dressing! This salad combines vibrant vegetables, marinated grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and crumbled cotija cheese, all tossed together with the most scrumptious avocado cilantro dressing!

This recipe for Southwest Chicken Salad includes all your favorites and is bound to become your top-choice salad! Creamy dressing, juicy flavorful chicken, fresh vegetables, black beans, and sweet corn all bathed in the BEST avocado dressing. This is my preferred recipe when I need to put together a salad for a gathering. I enjoy preparing this dish in advance for lunches throughout the week, and the marinade is packed with flavor! This nutritious recipe is a fantastic means to achieve your protein needs, incorporate healthy fats, and stay satisfied.

Reasons to Adore this Salad

• This salad is filling, nutritious, and brimming with all your favorite southwestern tastes. Your palate will be grateful!
• Loaded with protein and healthy fats for an ideal nutritious meal.
• A perfect option for meal preparation since all ingredients can be prepared ahead for swift assembly.
• The creamy avocado dressing is not only easy to whip up but also transforms this salad!
• An ideal meal-sized salad designed to cater to a crowd!

Here’s What You’ll Require

Salad Components

• romaine lettuce – finely chopped romaine, though any leafy greens such as arugula, kale, or spinach will suffice.
• veggies – a vibrant mix of grape tomatoes, fresh corn (or fire-roasted corn), crunchy red onion, and a ripe avocado. Consider adding green onions for extra flavor.
• black beans – I utilized canned black beans, a fantastic protein source in this salad. Ensure you drain and rinse the beans well.
• cilantro – a perfect enhancer for this salad, providing fresh flavor and a splash of color. If you’re not fond of cilantro, opt for other fresh herbs like parsley.
• cotija cheese – imparts creaminess and flavor.

Chicken Components

• chicken – you’ll require 2 or 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Alternatives like boneless, skinless chicken thighs or tenderloins work as well.
• olive oil – aids in flavor infusion into the chicken while preventing it from adhering to the grill or pan. Opt for a quality olive oil that is cold-pressed and organic for the best taste without breaking the bank.
• lime juice – fresh lime juice adds a zesty kick, needing about half a lime for the marinade. Feel free to incorporate lime zest for an extra burst of flavor!
• taco seasoning – I utilized my homemade taco seasoning that is far more flavorful than the sodium-packed packets from stores. It’s crafted with chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
• salt + pepper – essential for seasoning the chicken.

For the Avocado Dressing

• avocado – the star of the dressing! Ripe avocados are essential for achieving a creamy texture.
• garlic – fresh garlic yields the best flavor for this recipe, but one teaspoon of garlic powder can substitute if needed.
• greek yogurt – I adore the tanginess greek yogurt contributes to this dressing. Regular yogurt or sour cream can work as replacements if that’s what you have.
• avocado oil – I enjoy the subtle taste of avocado oil in this dressing that allows other flavors to shine. Olive oil can be an alternative for a richer flavor.
• lime juice – adds a burst of freshness and zest to the dressing while preventing the avocado from browning.
• cilantro – fresh cilantro adds flavor and vibrant green color. You can include the stems as they add more flavor and will be blended!
• seasonings – a mix of cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Steps to Create Southwestern Salad

1. Marinate chicken. In a small bowl, whisk the lime juice, olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper and toss with chicken. Set it aside and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes up to 12 hours.
2. Chop veggies. While the chicken marinates, prep the salad. Wash and slice the romaine lettuce, cut the tomatoes and red onion, and chop the cilantro. If you’re baking the chicken, it’s also a good idea to preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. I recommend chopping the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh!
3. Cook the chicken. Bake the chicken at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F using a digital thermometer. Alternatively, grill the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until the juices run clear.
4. Prepare the dressing. While the chicken cooks, place all dressing ingredients in a food processor or high-powered blender and process until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add a few tablespoons of water to thin the dressing if desired. Store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container until ready to use.
5. Assemble the salad. In a large mixing bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, avocado, red onion, cilantro, cheese, and diced chicken. Drizzle the avocado dressing and toss until thoroughly mixed. Serve as a main dish or check out the side options below.

Variations and Alternatives

• More veggies – although this salad is already packed with veggies, feel free to add even more like strips of red bell pepper, green pepper, celery, carrots, and beyond.
• Add a crunch – this salad features plenty of texture and flavors, but consider adding some crushed tortilla chips, tortilla strips, pepitas, or crunchy vegetables.
• Add fresh fruit – bring in a sweet touch with fresh berries or sliced grapes.
• Swap cheese – you can substitute crumbled cotija cheese for shredded cheddar cheese, feta cheese, or blue cheese crumbles.
• Make it spicy – to add some heat to the salad, consider incorporating red pepper flakes, hot sauce like sriracha, or even adobo sauce into the seasoning for the chicken or dressing. You could also toss in green chilis.
• Serve over rice – this southwest chicken salad transforms wonderfully into rice bowls! Serve over brown rice or even fluffy Mexican rice made fresh in the Instant Pot.
• In a wrap – place this salad into a large tortilla and create a hearty southwest chicken wrap or sandwich.
• Utilize the dressing on other salads, as a dip for veggies, drizzled over tacos and fajitas, or even as a spread for sandwiches and wraps.

How to Serve

This southwestern chicken salad stands well on its own but can also be enjoyed as a side salad alongside these other dishes:

Preparing this Salad in Advance