Southwestern chopped salad with grilled chicken, black beans, peppers, tomatoes and corn is fresh, crunchy and full of flavor! Serve with a super simple creamy cilantro lime dressing for a healthy lunch or light dinner!
Today I've got my favorite type of salad with some of my favorite flavors and ingredients for you. I’m in heaven here, folks. Come join me. 💕
This southwestern chopped salad is fresh and crunchy and bursting with flavors. Every bite features a little bit of everything, which is perfection in my book.
Especially when covered in this easy blender creamy cilantro lime dressing. Oh my...
This is also an amazingly easy thing to put together. Cause you know I love an easy meal 😉
You dump all your chopped goodies in a bowl, shake up the dressing, pour, stir and serve.
No cooking. No hot kitchens, not on summer nights like we’ve been having. Just a beautiful, tasty dinner for you to devour.
And hopefully some leftovers for lunch the next day...
I’m never that lucky. I eat it all on the first go-round. I have portion control problems normally but especially around a chopped salad. 😂
Can't. Stop. Won't. Stop.
(If you love these flavors, check out these fun turkey burger salad bowls - delicious!)
Notes on southwestern chopped salad:
- I used all romaine lettuce here so it's nice and crunchy but you could substitute spinach, iceberg or mixed greens if you prefer.
- You can use leftover grilled chicken for this recipe (especially if it's my cheesy fiesta grilled chicken), leftover roasted chicken or pick up a store-bought rotisserie chicken. When I don't have any of those, I roast a couple of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the oven at 350 for about 30 minutes. I always have some of Emeril's southwestern seasoning on hand, so I use that.
- I roasted the corn in a dry saute pan over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes to get some good charring. (Just be sure to keep an eye on it!) This step is completely optional - the salad is great with fresh or frozen (thawed) corn thrown right in, too.
- You can control the heat of this salad by either removing all the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño pepper (so it won't be spicy at all) or leaving some in for a little kick. 🌶
Finally, don't forget the toppings!
We like some shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips and sometimes a spoonful or two of salsa. If you're an avocado fan, diced or sliced avocado would be awesome on this as well! Pickled jalapeños would be yummy too!
Oh, and if you are making this in advance - for meal prep or just to get ahead - I just recommend that you keep the salad and dressing separate. Toss them together before you're ready to serve, so everything stays fresh.
Mix this up soon and join me in the glory of a chopped salad! 💚
XO,
Kathryn
Be sure to check out my new VIDEO for this recipe!
Southwestern chopped salad
Southwestern chopped salad with grilled chicken, black beans, peppers, tomatoes and corn is fresh, crunchy and full of flavor and is finished with a super simple creamy cilantro lime dressing!
Ingredients
- 10 cups romaine lettuce, finely chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced small
- 1 cup corn (from 2 cobs or from frozen) (see notes)
- ¾ cup black beans
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, small diced (see notes)
- Creamy cilantro-lime dressing
- Optional toppings: crushed tortillas, shredded cheddar or Monterey or Jalapeno Jack cheese, avocado, salsa
Instructions
- Combine all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Blend up the creamy cilantro-lime dressing.
- Pour dressing over salad and mix to coat everything well. Add desired toppings and serve it up!
Notes
I roasted the chicken breasts with southwestern seasoning at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. You could also use grilled chicken or my fiesta chicken. Or you can use a rotisserie chicken from the store.
I roasted the corn in a saute pan (can use 1 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper or can do it dry - just watch closely). I use medium-high heat and give it about 5 minutes to get some good charring. This step is completely optional - the salad is great with fresh or frozen (thawed) corn thrown right in, too.
If you are making this ahead, keep the salad and the dressing separate until you are ready to eat.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 277Total Fat: 3gCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 10gSugar: 6gProtein: 27g
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
This recipe is the bomb!!! Pairing the creamy cilantro dressing with this southwestern salad is absolute perfection. Love all those flavors together. This would be so great to take to a BBQ party too. I make a lot of wedge salads and Caesar salads at home, both with homemade dressings 🙂
Kathryn
Thanks so much, Karrie! It would be wonderful for a BBQ or picnic! Wedge and Caesar are such tasty, classic salads, too 🙂
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
This looks all kinds of delicious. I love a chopped salad. We make one similar to this - a vegetarian version - with Felafel and Tahini Dressing. I can't wait to have a crack at this because summer is coming!
Kathryn
Thanks Sammie! I have portion control problems always, but especially when it comes to a chopped salad... irresistible! Love the sound of your vegetarian version too - YUM!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
This salad looks amazing, I love it! Thanks for linking up with us for Fabulous Foodie Fridays 🙂
Kathryn
Thanks Lauren! I am seriously addicted to chopped salads and this is one of my favorites!
Liz Della Croce
Who wouldn't love this?!
Kathryn
So many favorites here!
shelby
I am addicted to cilantro and that dressing is delicious!
Kathryn
Oh you'll LOVE it Shelby! It's great to have on hand for salads, grain bowls, even just drizzling over grilled chicken!