This Southwest Chicken Salad is like a little party for your taste buds! It has loads of veggies, cubes of chicken, some blue corn tortilla chips for that crunch factor and a delicious smoky chipotle lime dressing. It’s hearty enough for one satisfying dinner!
Hey hey! Popping in with this quick salad recipe for ya right before the weekend! I remember years ago having a similar kinda salad at a chain restaurant, only theirs had breaded chicken, bacon and cheese. Super tasty, but not the healthiest salad in the world. I wanted to lighten things up a bit with this one. It has all the flavour with less of the nasty stuff. Sounds good to me!
Easy Southwest Chicken Salad using Leftover Chicken
What’s so great about this Southwest Chicken Salad?
- uses leftover chicken…waste not, want not
- made in about 10 minutes!
- it’s healthy-ish with lots of vegetables, fibre from beans and protein from both chicken and the yogurt based chipotle lime dressing
- healthy fat from avocado
- it tastes AWESOME!
Chipotle Lime Dressing – what are Chipotle Peppers Anyway?
Chipotle Peppers are actually jalapenos that have been smoked and dried. Typically, you can find them in the supermarket where you would find tortillas and salsa. You can purchase them dried in a bag or in a can with adobo sauce (how I like to get them).
What’s adobo sauce? Like the chipotle peppers themselves, the adobo sauce has a smoky heat. It’s typically made with ancho chilies, spices like salt, pepper and oregano. It has a rich reddish/brownish hue and adds SO much flavour to recipes. We regularly stock our pantry with cans of chipotle peppers and use them in sauces like this Chipotle Lime Dressing, in soup and in chili.
I would recommend tasting one (like, a small nibble) before adding to a dish. Not all chili peppers are created equal. And, even amongst the same variety of chili peppers, the heat level can vary. I remember one time hubby and I bought fresh jalapeno peppers and there was literally no heat to them. Like, hubby bit into it as he would an apple. Nothing (though, hubby can eat some spicy stuff, let me tell ya).
Chipotle peppers are something I regularly use in sauces, especially for salads and tacos. I hardly ever buy store bought dressings. Once you make your own, there’s no going back. Plus, you can make enough for what you need at any given time without a bunch of extra bottles floating around your fridge.
Tips for Making this Southwest Chicken Salad
- This salad is super easy to put together, especially since it uses leftover rotisserie chicken. Don’t have any? You can cook a couple small chicken breasts if you like. Roast off in a 400 F degree oven on a sheet pan for about 22-25 minutes or until it is cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165 F. Let it rest and cool slightly before adding to your salad. You don’t want those greens to wilt.
- I used red/green leaf lettuce, but you can easily swap out for arugula, spinach or whatever green floats your boat.
- The quantities of each ingredient, especially the toppings are a suggestion. Like more corn, add it! Not fussy on avocado, omit. Feel me?
- Fresh or frozen (thawed) corn works here. Frozen won’t have that same ‘pop’ of freshness, but will do in a pinch.
Looking for More Easy Salad Recipes? Check these out!
- Apple and Gouda Mixed Green Salad
- Winter Green Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
- Steak Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Hope you love this amped up southwest chicken salad as much as I do! Until next time take care and chit chat again soon!
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P.P.S. If you think this Southwest Chicken Salad will make your belly happy too, please be sure to hit that little Pin button. Many thanks you guys! XO
Southwest Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Southwest Chicken Salad
- 8 cups lettuce -I used a red/green leaf lettuce, loosely packed and bite sized pieces
- 1 cup cooked chicken -cubed
- 1/3 cup bell pepper -diced
- 1/3 cup black beans
- 1/4 cup grape tomatoes -halved
- 1/4 cup corn kernels
- 1/2 avocado -sliced
- 6 tortilla chips -I used blue corn
Chipotle Lime Dressing
- 1-2 chipotle peppers -depending on your heat tolerance
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice -about half a lime
- 1 tbsp chicken stock -I used unsalted
- 1 tbsp mayo
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
Suggested Garnish
- cilantro -optional
Instructions
- Distribute lettuce among two bowls. Top with remaining ingredients, distributing equally among bowls. Drizzle Chipotle Lime Dressing over top. Garnish with cilantro, if desired. Enjoy!
Chipotle Lime Dressing
Place all ingredients in a mini food processor and blitz until smooth. If you don't have a food processor, finely chopped chipotle peppers and whisk with remaining ingredients until smooth.
oh my I love southwest anything this looks marvelous!
Me too! Thanks Claudia 🙂
This sounds amazing and I WILL be making it! I recall a similar salad that I loved from a restaurant, as well. I’m glad you’ve made it healthier. Pinned!
Thank you Terri 🙂 Appreciate that! Have a wonderful week!
Mmmm chicken, beans, avocado, and vegetables – that’s my kind of salad. Light but satisfying. Like this dressing too. I’ve never used chipotle peppers in a dressing/salad, but I’ve got to try now.
Mine too 😉 They really add a yummy flavour! Hope you enjoy! Thanks Ben 🙂
Chicken and smoky chipotle lime dressing in salad. It’s like we’re salad soul sisters!
Haha – thanks so much, Lily 🙂 Happy weekend!
Medium is my heat comfort level. It’s true about the peppers—I have bitten into jalapeños that had no heat. This beautiful salad is right up my alley, Dawn! I can eat it again and again during the week!
Thank you Thao! Me too 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
This is exactly my sort of salad, Dawn! Fast, easy, and yeeeeeeeees, chipotle peppers!!! I can’t wait to try this dressing. It sounds so good!
Woo hoo!! Thanks Tracy! Happy weekend 🙂
This looks like the perfect salad to welcome spring… and to use leftover chicken. That makes it a double win in my books. Have pinned to try because this will definitely make my belly happy 🙂 Thanks for sharing Dawn ♥
Yay! Thanks a bunch, Maria! Hope you love this one too 🙂 Happy weekend! xo
Real talk – Southwest chicken salads are my all-time favorite salads! Nothing beats succulent chicken meat coupled with creamy avocado and a zesty dressing. Pinning!!
Mine too!! I’m getting hungry just reading your comment, lol. Thanks so much Christina 🙂
Chipotle peppers are one of my favorite ingredients of all time. Putting this on my menu for next week!
Mine too, Kevin! Yay – hope you love it 🙂
Such bright and happy flavors (and colors) in this salad! I am imagining two different bowls, one for me, one for Loreto, with the same ingredients but the chicken for me (maybe tofu?) and that beautiful dressing to seal the deal. Tomorrow I am going back, so this ‘picture’ can happen real soon 🙂 . Great recipe!
Sounds like a yummy plan! Tofu would be lovely- grilled maybe 😉 ? Thanks Nicoletta!
I am so in love with the flavors here, Dawn! I’m obsessed with ginormous salads full of texture, so this is right up my alley and I really want to try this flavor combo with salmon sometime! I think it would work swimmingly 😉
Also, that dressing sounds off the hook.
OH MY GOD I’M NOT EVEN MEANING TO MAKE THESE FISHY PESCETARIAN PUNS.
I’ll see myself out.
You’re seriously too funny!! Thank you so much for the kind words and chuckle this morning 😉
This salad sounds awesome! I love using leftovers for salad- it makes them taste so much better. And wow that dressing sounds incredible!!!
Thank you Sarah!! Happy weekend to ya 🙂
Dawn, this is such a colorful salad! I love your pairing of that chipotle lime dressing with all those crunchy veggies! You’ve inspired me to make my dressing more often! I’ve gotta admit, I tend to buy a dressing from the store every now and then and then it hangs out in my fridge forever after a couple of uses! But with a homemade one I won’t be wasting AND homemade ones (like this clearly demonstrates) are so much more tastier!
Happy FriYAY to you! Hoping you and your hubs have a wonderful weekend filled with all sorts of deliciousness! XOXO
Thank you Shashi!! Hope you get a chance to try this one out – I’m sure you’ll love it too 😉 Have a fabulous weekend, my friend! XOXO
That dressing sounds amazing!!! I love chipotle! You always have the best big salads 🙂 I love salads like these for an easy lunch or dinner. I hope you have a great weekend my friend! XO
Thank you Katherine! You’re so kind! Have a lovely weekend too! XO
Love how colourful this salad is and the chipotle lime dressing sounds amazing. I have to admit that I have not used chipotle peppers in my kitchen before but it sounds they are worth looking out for 🙂 Have a great weekend, Dawn!
Thank you Miriam! They are pretty tasty and add a lot of flavour to any dish 🙂 Have a great weekend too!!
Loving all of the goodies in this salad, Dawn! And with that creamy chipotle dressing? Salad perfection!
Thanks Marissa 🙂 Appreciate that!
Yummy! This looks great. I love a good salad with chicken. I’ve been seeing a lot of salads with chipotle salad dressings on the web lately and this one, along with the others, sound super good. I’m going to have to try it out! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you April!! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
This is my kind of dinner these days! And that dressing has my full attention!! Simple and so delicious! Love it! 🙂
Happy to hear that!! Thank you Annie 🙂 XOXO
You had me at Southwest…and I’m always game for salad. Srsly, I love chipotle flavors SOOO much that I use it in many things. It’s my favorite Southwest flavor, for sure! Your salad looks gorgeous…and timely as we’re on a similar kick right now 🙂 Just pinned this beauty!
Yay!! Me too, Traci – I eat ’em on the regular! Hope you love this one as much as we do! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
LOVING this!! It looks absolutely delicious and so full of flavour! I love a good chicken salad recipe and you cannot go wrong with this salad and the dressing looks and sounds amazing!
Thanks so much Annie!! Appreciate that! Hope you get a chance to try this one out soon 🙂
What a stunning looking salad. That chipotle lime dressing sounds epic too and I want to put it on everything.
Thank you so much, Dannii! It is pretty delicious! Great on sandwiches and tacos too 🙂
Yum!!! I want some of that chipotle lime dressing. That sounds like the perfect spicy dressing!
Thanks Liz!! It’s pretty delish 🙂
Wish this was on my table right now! 🙂 Didn’t know what chipotle peppers were so thanks for clarifying that! 🙂
Thanks Julia! Me and you both 😉
I’m always roasting a chicken for Sunday or Monday night dinner, so this salad recipe would be perfect to use the leftover chicken for the next night’s dinner! Freaking love chipotle pepper anything too! WOOOHOOOO to bringing on Cinco de Mayo!
YES!! I say go for it!! Me too – that spicy, smoky heat is wicked! Thanks girl! XOXO
You always have the prettiest (and tastiest) salads, Dawn! I love a salad that’s just loaded with goodies. And, um, it’s OK to drink the dressing with a straw if no one can see me do it, right? I don’t wanna be impolite about it or anything, but it sounds completely irresistible! Have a great weekend, girlie!
You’re so sweet! Thanks so much, Kelsie! I think I could drink that dressing with a straw too…no judgement here 😉 Have a great weekend too, my friend.
Red leaf lettuce is my absolutely favorite. Any salad with it has a place of honor in my life:) So excited about spring and summer and throwing together dinner salads like yours here. And bring on the chipotle dressings and mayos! Yum! Happy almost weekend, Dawn!
Yay! I agree – bring it on 😉 Thanks Milena! Have a fab weekend!
There are so many awesome flavors going on in this salad, Dawn! I love southwest flavors, too. Count me in! And while I do like spicy foods, I think I’ll leave the jalapeno-chomping to your husband…haha. Love this salad idea, and I hope you and the family have a great weekend ahead!
Thank you David!! I don’t think I could eat jalapenos quite like hubby does either 😉 Have a wonderful weekend too 🙂
I think salad season is here….although we are currently in a winter storm warning! (YIKES!) I am going to pretend it’s warm and sunny and keep my fingers crossed for warm sunny weather! I love great salads filled with lots of different tastes and textures. The blue corn chips definitely add the needed crunch! Looks fabulous!
Oh no!! Yes…fingers crossed for warmer weather soon 🙂 Thank you so much, Kathy! Hope you get to try this one out soon!
This salad will be perfect for the Cinco de Mayo gathering I’m planning! Love that it’s made a little lighter with the homemade salad dressing! I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I didn’t know chipotle peppers were dried and smoked jalapeños! All I know is that I like a bit of spicy, so bring on the peppers!! 😉
Yay! It would be a lovely addition for sure! High five for spicy, am I right 😉 ?! Thanks Leanne 🙂
Love this kind of bowl salad and loving the southwest flavours! So easy, but so delicious 🙂
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
This is my kind of salad Dawn! I’ve always got extra rotisserie chicken in my fridge, so this will be happening soon at our house! That chipotle lime dressing sounds fab! Pinned!
Woo hoo! Happy to hear that! Hope you love it! XO