Description
A fresh and flavorful Southwest Chicken Salad featuring tender rotisserie chicken, crisp vegetables, and a zesty homemade southwest ranch dressing. This quick and easy salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, combining protein-packed chicken with black beans, corn, and a spicy twist from jalapeños and taco seasoning.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups small diced rotisserie chicken (skin and bones removed)
- 5 green onions (sliced thin)
- 2 jalapeños with seeds removed (diced small)
- 1 medium bell pepper (diced small)
- 1 cup canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
- ½ cup canned corn (drained and rinsed)
Southwest Ranch Dressing
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt (non-fat preferred)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup salsa (medium or hot)
- ½ lime (juiced)
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning (spicy variety preferred)
- ½ Tbsp ranch seasoning powder
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, salsa, lime juice, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning powder, and stir thoroughly until smooth and well mixed. Set aside.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced rotisserie chicken, sliced green onions, diced jalapeños, diced bell pepper, rinsed black beans, and corn. Gently mix to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Dress the salad: Pour the prepared southwest ranch dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything together until every ingredient is well coated in the dressing. Taste the salad and season with salt if needed. Adjust lime juice to your preference for more tanginess.
- Chill before serving: For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least one hour before serving. Before eating, give the salad a good stir to re-incorporate any dressing that may have settled at the bottom. Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
- Remove seeds from jalapeños to reduce the heat if you prefer a milder salad.
- Use non-fat Greek yogurt to keep the salad lighter and healthier.
- Rotisserie chicken can be swapped with grilled or cooked chicken breast if preferred.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow flavors to meld together better.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by modifying the amount of jalapeños, taco seasoning, or salsa heat.
