Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad 

Packed with bold Southwest flavors and minimal fuss, this Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad comes together in just 15 minutes. Combining tender, cooked chicken with black beans, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado, all tossed in a zesty lime‑taco seasoning dressing, it’s a vibrant crowd‑pleaser. Ideal for quick meals, meal prep, or a refreshing summer dish, this salad is customizable—add jalapeños for heat or swap sour cream for Greek yogurt to lighten things up 

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
  
  

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  
  

• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
  
  

• 1 red bell pepper, diced
  
  

• ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  
  

• 1 avocado, diced
  
  

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  
  

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  
  

• ⅓ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  
  

Dressing:

• ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  
  

• 2 Tbsp lime juice
  
  

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
  
  

• 1 tsp ground cumin
  
  

• ½ tsp chili powder
  
  

• Salt & pepper, to taste
  
  

Optional garnish: tortilla strips or crushed chips for crunch 

Directions

1. Whisk dressing: In a small bowl, combine sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until smooth
   
   

2. Combine salad: In a large bowl, add chicken, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro
   
   

3. Dress & toss: Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly
   
   

4. Serve: Top with shredded cheese and tortilla strips if desired. Serve immediately or chill before serving
   
   

Nutrients (approx. per serving, makes 4)

• Calories: ~320 kcal
  
  

• Protein: ~29 g
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~41 g
  
  

• Fat: ~11 g
  
  

• Fiber: 8 g (estimate)
  
  

• Sodium: moderate (from beans and dressing)