Description
A vibrant and flavorful Southwest Chicken Chopped Salad featuring tender chopped chicken breast, fresh romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and avocado. Tossed with a zesty taco ranch dressing and topped with crunchy tortilla strips, this salad is a perfect high-protein, gluten-free meal for lunch or dinner that requires no cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or canned
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup tortilla strips
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the ranch dressing with taco seasoning and lime juice until all ingredients are well combined, creating a flavorful and zesty dressing base.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, cooked chicken breast, black beans, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, diced avocado, and fresh chopped cilantro. Mix gently to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Toss with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything together carefully, ensuring that all components are evenly coated with the dressing for balanced flavor distribution.
- Add the finishing touch: Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with crunchy tortilla strips to add texture and a satisfying crunch.
- Serve immediately: Serve the salad fresh to enjoy the crispness of the vegetables and the creamy dressing alongside the hearty chicken and beans.
Notes
- Substitute grilled shrimp or steak for the chicken to vary the protein.
- For a lighter dressing option, use a Greek yogurt-based ranch dressing instead of regular ranch.
- Add sliced jalapeños for an extra spicy kick.
- Swap shredded cheddar with pepper jack cheese for a different cheese flavor.
