Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad for Fresh Summer Recipes
When the weather gets warm, I crave meals that are light, quick, and still pack a punch of flavor. This Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad checks all those boxes. It’s a summer recipes classic that we keep coming back to in my house—whether for lunch on the patio or a casual dinner after a long day. The base is simple: grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and a zippy dressing that wakes up your tastebuds faster than your morning espresso.
I like mine with a heap of crunchy romaine and a generous handful of tortilla strips. My partner? He loads his with extra avocado. Either way, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of dish. It falls right in line with what I love about summer salad recipes—it’s flexible, fast, and tastes even better the next day.
You can easily turn this into one of your go-to summer pasta salad recipes by tossing in some al dente rotini. Or keep it lean and green for a high-protein chicken salad recipe that’s every bit as satisfying. Whether you’re planning summer chicken recipes dinners or just want ideas for summer chicken breast recipes that don’t feel like the same old thing, this one delivers.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup tortilla strips (optional but fun)
- For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice (fresh is best!)
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk all dressing ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, black beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado, onion, lettuce, and cilantro.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is coated.
- Top with cheese and tortilla strips if using.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for extra flavor.