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Southwestern Chicken Salad: 15-Minute Flavor Delight

A vibrant combination of flavors and textures featuring cooked chicken, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and creamy avocado in a zesty lime dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded Rotisserie chicken works perfectly!
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained Look for low-sodium options.
  • 1 cup corn, drained Canned or frozen both taste great!
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Smaller ones add a sweet punch.
  • 1 avocado, diced Choose ripe avocados for creaminess.
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced For that necessary crunch.
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped Substitute with parsley if unavailable.
  • 1/4 cup lime juice Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled works in a pinch.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil Good quality olive oil makes a difference.
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Gather all ingredients and chop the veggies (cherry tomatoes, avocado, and red onion). Shred the chicken if not already done.
Combine main ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and cilantro.
Mix the dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until it emulsifies nicely.
  2. Chef’s Tip: For a little kick, add a pinch of cumin or diced jalapeños into the dressing.
Combine salad and dressing
  1. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring every ingredient gets coated.
Serving suggestion
  1. Serve immediately or let it chill in the fridge for a bit to allow flavors to meld together beautifully.
  2. Common Mistake: Avoid over-mixing to keep avocado chunks intact.

Notes

For best flavor, use fresh produce, especially cilantro and lime juice. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Avoid freezing as it won't retain texture.