Southwest Chicken Salad with Homemade Dressing

Name: Southwest Chicken Salad with Homemade Dressing
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8 cups mixed greens (I like to use a combination of romaine + mixed greens); 1 cucumber (chopped); 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved); 1 bell pepper (red or yellow, chopped); ¼ cup red onion (minced); 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed); 2 cooked chicken breasts (sliced or chopped); Garnish: pepitas, chopped avocado; Creamy Cilantro Lime Greek Yogurt Dressing

by Pam Fullenweider, MS, RD | Oct 22, 2023 | Recipes, Dinner, Lunch, Salads

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This Healthy Southwest Chicken Salad is a hearty and satisfying meal made with greens, beans, chicken and a creamy cilantro dressing.

We love this recipe because it’s packed with lean protein, fiber, antioxidants and it’s easy to assemble. Try this delicious Southwest salad for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Does salad sometimes leave you feeling unsatisfied or hungry soon after eating? If so, you will love this satisfying option. If salad is going to be your main meal, it’s important to include plenty of fiber and protein to help you feel full and energized. You can make this salad with rotisserie chicken, or any cooked chicken.

What Is A Southwest Chicken Salad

Southwest Chicken Salad is a flavorful salad generally made with beans, vegetables, and a lime cilantro topping. This salad sometimes includes cheese, red onions, and corn as well. We choose to add avocado for another creamy component because avocado is full of healthy fats that support heart health.

This salad is best with our Creamy Cilantro Lime Greek Yogurt Dressing to combine all the flavors. You can make a batch of the dressing and store it to use throughout the week.

What Is A Southwest Salad Made Of?

Mixed greens
Cucumber
Cherry tomatoes
Bell pepper
Red onion
Black beans
Cooked chicken breast
Pepitas
Avocado
Creamy Cilantro Lime Greek Yogurt Dressing

What Is On a Chick Fil A Southwest Salad?

The Chick Fil A Southwest Salad is a popular item on their menu. Their Southwest Salad contains many similar ingredients such as a base of greens, tomatoes, peppers, black beans and chicken strips. The Chick Fil A Southwest Chicken Salad also includes corn, cheese, and a variety of additional additives.

Is the Chick Fil A Southwest Salad Healthy?

The Chick Fil A salad can be a healthy option on occasion, if you are on-the-go and you want to eat a veggie-rich meal. It is important to note the high sodium content in this meal which is 1,570 milligrams in one serving. This is almost 80% of the recommended sodium limit per day. Fast food options on occasion can be part of an overall healthy diet but it’s best not to consume them every day.

If the Chick Fil A Southwest Chicken Salad is one of your favorite quick meal options, we recommend trying our Southwest Chicken Salad recipe! Our recipe has a similar lime and cilantro flavor with the crunchy pepitas, chicken slices, and fresh veggies.

What Is In A Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad?

The Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad is a premade salad topped with cotija cheese and a ranch dressing. The salad contains greens, black beans, corn, cabbage, peppers, and onion. This salad doesn’t contain chicken so it is a vegetarian option. The salad contains about 200 calories and 560 milligrams of sodium. This is a lower calorie item so you may want to pair it with a lean protein source to make it more filling.

Is the Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad Healthy?

The Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad is a healthy option if you are looking for something premade. Similarly to the Chick Fil A salad, it’s important to keep an eye on your sodium intake. Making your favorite meals at home is a great way to adjust the ingredients to support your health goals.

How To Make This Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

Begin by making your Creamy Cilantro Lime Greek Yogurt Dressing. You can use a store-bought cilantro dressing if you prefer. Choose one that is low in sodium and saturated fat if possible.

Assemble your salad, starting with the base of greens. Top with the vegetables, beans, and chicken. Add the pepitas and avocado. Drizzle with the cilantro dressing. Enjoy!