Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe (Better Than Chick-Fil-A)
This fresh and flavorful southwest chicken salad recipe is packed with juicy grilled chicken, crunchy veggies, black beans, and a spicy ranch dressing. A healthier, budget-friendly twist on the Chick-Fil-A favorite—ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lime juiced and zested
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 chicken breasts
For the Spicy Ranch Dressing:
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 2-3 tbsp hot sauce e.g., Chipotle Cholula
For the Salad Base:
- 1 head green leaf lettuce chopped
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 2 avocados sliced
- 1 cup corn frozen, canned, or fresh
- ½ red onion sliced
- ½ cup tortilla strips
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine lime juice, zest, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, honey, and avocado oil. Add chicken breasts and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Grill the Chicken:
- Preheat grill or grill pan over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked. Let rest, then slice.
Prepare Spicy Ranch Dressing:
- Mix ranch dressing with hot sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl or plates, layer lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, corn, red onion, avocado slices, and grilled chicken.
Finish & Serve:
- Drizzle with spicy ranch dressing, top with tortilla strips, garnish with cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- Make it Vegan: Swap chicken for grilled tofu and use vegan ranch.
- Meal Prep Tip: Store components separately for freshness.
- Spice Level: Adjust hot sauce to taste.
- Pairs perfectly with my Healthy Greek Chicken Bowls for a week of clean eating variety!