Quick Southwest Chicken Salad (Print)

Tender chicken, black beans, and veggies in a zesty chili-lime dressing for a satisfying Southwest-style meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 450 g cooked, shredded chicken breast
02 - 1 can (440 g) black beans, rinsed and drained
03 - 1 can (432 g) sweet corn, drained
04 - 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
05 - 110 g cherry tomatoes, quartered
06 - 75 g red onion, finely chopped
07 - 35 g pepitas or sunflower seeds

→ Dressing

08 - 180 g mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (dairy-free or regular)
09 - 60 ml fresh lime juice
10 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 0.25 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 0.25 teaspoon fine sea salt

# Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and salt until smooth and well combined.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add shredded chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and pepitas.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and stir gently until evenly coated.
04 - Present the salad on its own, in a sandwich, wrap, or atop a bed of fresh lettuce.

# Notes:

01 - For meal preparation, store salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
02 - Utilize pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken to reduce preparation time.
03 - Spice level can be adjusted by varying the amount of jalapeño.