Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad

A Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavorful salad that combines fresh ingredients with a spicy kick. Here’s a recipe for a delicious and hearty Southwest chicken salad:

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (grilled or cooked)

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

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 avocado, diced

• 1/2 cup black beans (canned, drained, and rinsed)

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 4 cups mixed greens (like Romaine, spinach, or a spring mix)

• Optional: tortilla chips for crunch (crushed or whole)

For the Zesty Southwest Dressing:

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

• A pinch of cayenne pepper (for extra heat, optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken:

   • Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a little chili powder or your preferred spices.

   • Grill or cook them in a pan over medium heat until fully cooked (about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness). Once cooked, let them rest for a few minutes and then slice them thinly.

2. Prepare the Salad Ingredients:

   • In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, corn, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, black beans, avocado, and cheese.

3. Make the Dressing:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayo (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper until smooth.

4. Assemble the Salad:

   • Add the sliced chicken on top of the salad.

   • Drizzle the zesty Southwest dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

5. Serve:

   • Optionally, top with tortilla chips for added crunch.

   • Garnish with fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor.

Tips:

• You can use grilled shrimp or even steak if you prefer a different protein.

• For a lower-calorie option, skip the cheese or use a lighter dressing.

• To make it even zestier, add a jalapeño pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.

Enjoy your Southwest chicken salad! It’s perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or even meal prepping for the week.