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Spicy Southwest Salad with grilled chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and tortilla strips in a bowl

Spicy Southwest Salad


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  • Author: elodie
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 large salads or 3 smaller portions 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Spicy Southwest Salad is bold, fresh, creamy, and packed with protein. Juicy grilled chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and a smoky chipotle dressing come together in one vibrant, crave-worthy bowl you can make in under 20 minutes. Perfect for lunch meal prep, quick dinners, or a healthier homemade twist on the Chick-fil-A favorite.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

  • 1 cup roasted or canned corn

  • 1 avocado, diced

  • 1 cup grilled chicken breast, sliced (or rotisserie chicken)

  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced

  • ¼ cup tortilla strips

  • 2 tbsp pepitas (optional)

For the Spicy Southwest Dressing

  • ½ cup Greek yogurt (or mayo)

  • 12 chipotle peppers in adobo (adjust heat)

  • 2 tbsp lime juice

  • 1 tbsp honey

  • 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped

  • ½ tsp chili powder

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • Salt to taste

  • 12 tbsp water (to thin, if needed)


Instructions

  1. Prep the base: Add romaine, tomatoes, beans, corn, red onion, and avocado to a large bowl.

  2. Add protein: Top with grilled chicken slices (warm or chilled).

  3. Make the dressing: Blend Greek yogurt, chipotle, lime juice, honey, cilantro, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt until smooth. Thin with water as needed.

  4. Assemble: Drizzle the dressing over the salad.

  5. Finish: Add tortilla strips and pepitas for crunch.

  6. Toss gently and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a mild version, use chili powder instead of chipotle.

  • For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken for extra beans or tofu.

  • Add lime juice right before serving to keep flavors bright.

  • Keep dressing separate if meal-prepping (stays fresh 3–4 days).

  • Add avocado fresh to avoid browning.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes (for chicken, optional)
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: Tossed
  • Cuisine: Southwest

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: ~480
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 580mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 9g
  • Protein: 33g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg