Description
A vibrant and flavorful Southwest Inspired Chicken Salad featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, black beans, and corn, tossed in a zesty homemade dressing with a hint of taco seasoning and creamy avocado. Perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner with a refreshing lime finish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large head of romaine, chopped
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 cup cooked black beans, rinsed and drained if using canned
- 1 cup organic frozen corn, thawed
- 4 celery ribs, sliced
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tsps homemade taco seasoning
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- juice of 1 fresh lime
Dressing
- 1/2 cup homemade mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 fresh garlic clove, minced
- 2 tsps apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the homemade mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and ground pepper until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. Set aside.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large salad serving bowl, place the chopped romaine lettuce, cooked shredded or diced chicken, diced yellow bell pepper, cooked black beans, thawed corn, sliced celery, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro. Mix gently.
- Toss salad with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss all components together to combine thoroughly but carefully to maintain the salad ingredients’ texture.
- Add seasoning: Sprinkle the homemade taco seasoning evenly over the tossed salad to taste, then gently mix in the seasoning to distribute the flavors without bruising the vegetables.
- Add avocado and lime juice: Fold in the diced avocado and immediately squeeze fresh lime juice over the avocado and salad to enhance flavor and keep the avocado from browning.
- Serve: Divide the salad among plates and serve immediately, enjoying the fresh, zesty flavors.
Notes
- For meal prep, store the salad without the avocado and lime juice; add them just before serving to maintain freshness and prevent browning.
- This salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days if sealed tightly and with sufficient lime juice on the avocado.
- Homemade taco seasoning can be adjusted in spice level according to preference.
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Use fresh lime juice instead of bottled for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
