Chicken salad is one of my favorite meal preps, and this one is sure to please: Lightened-Up Southwestern Inspired Chicken Salad. This chicken salad packs a flavor bomb with the flavors of corn, black beans, red onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice and salsa. What’s there not to love? This chicken salad is so easy to prepare, no cooking required. Thrown together in minutes, easy to make, even easier to eat, and a great way to hit those macro or calorie targets. Also, only 2 WW points per serving!
What you’ll need to make this easy chicken salad recipe
To make this recipe super easy, I recommend starting with cooked chicken breast. You can use rotisserie chicken breast, canned chicken breast, or you can poach or roast your chicken breast as well.
- cooked chicken breast
- red bell pepper
- red onion
- fresh cilantro
- black beans
- corn
- lime juice
- plain non fat Greek yogurt
- light mayo
- salsa
- taco seasoning
What makes this recipe lightened-up?
There are a few elements that make this recipe lighter than some other chicken salad alternatives that are slathered in mayo. For this recipe, I use light mayo and stretch it by using plain non-fat Greek yogurt, which adds to the creaminess without altering the flavor. By adding fresh lime juice, this adds brightness and cuts the tang of the Greek yogurt. Adding salsa, which is naturally low in calories, adds a burst of flavor without adding more calories or fat to the recipe. The other ingredients in this recipe (chicken breast, peppers, corn and black beans) are all great sources of fiber and protein as well, making this an all-around great, healthy recipe.
How to make this lightened-up southwestern inspired chicken salad
To start this recipe, I recommend using fully cooked chicken breast, as it will cut your prep time down significantly. You can do this by using rotisserie chicken breast, canned chicken breast, or of course, making your own, which is what I did here. To roast your own chicken breast, simply season your chicken breast with salt and pepper, and coat with olive oil spray. Roast the chicken breast at 400F until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165. Depending on the thickness of your chicken, this can take 20-30 minutes, but it is all inactive cook time.
Once the chicken is cooked, shred it up. I use my stand mixer for this, because I like for the chicken to be very finely shredded. I prefer this texture, but you can also cube the chicken as well. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dressing ingredients: the light mayo, yogurt, salsa, lime juice, and taco seasoning. Whisk to combine thoroughly, then add the shredded chicken, chopped peppers, onion, cilantro, corn, and drained rinsed black beans.
Lightened-Up Southwestern Inspired Chicken Salad
Equipment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked, shredded finely
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, fresh, chopped
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained
- 1/4 cup light mayo, used: Hellmans
- 1/4 cup plain non fat Greek yogurt, used: Fage
- 2 tbsp salsa, used: mild, Tostitos chunky salsa
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 lime, juiced
Instructions
- Finely shred the cooked chicken breast (using a stand mixer or hand mixer is great for this).
- To roast your own chicken breast, see blog post above for details.
- Finely dice the red bell pepper and onion; chop the cilantro.
- Drain and rinse the black beans.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mayo, yogurt, taco seasoning, salsa, and the juice of one lime.
- Whisk to combine the dressing ingredients.
- Fold in the shredded chicken, pepper, onion, cilantro, corn, and black beans.
- Toss to incorporate all ingredients.
Notes
Nutrition
You might also enjoy these similar chicken salad recipes:
Healthy Street Corn-Inspired Chicken Salad
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Another home run! Your healthy way of eating is the best out there!
Very very good. I did have to add about 1/2 tsp of salt. Will probably leave out the beans and corn next time. But will definitely be making again, soon!
Hands down the best chicken salad I have had. Definitely making again and again. Grab the good thins jalapeño lime crackers that she ate with on her stories. It SO GOOD.
This is really good and a nice change – something different. For some reason, the measurements didn’t calculate the same as yours – I didn’t get heaping cups and barely got a cup. Maybe it’s the difference in the size of the chicken? But I adjusted my numbers and all is good. I also couldn’t find the Good thins Jalapeno crackers, so I did homemade chips with the extra thin corn tortillas.
So good! Also bought the good thins to eat with it!
Wow! This is soooo delicious! The lime juice takes it to the next level! Definitely a repeat!
I’m making this tomorrow and was able to put the recipe in my WW app but I was wondering if you had also put this recipe in my fitness app? Im using this app for my protein. I tried looking but couldn’t find it so was wondering if under a different name. If you wouldn’t mind would you please let me know if it’s there? Thank you in advance.
Thank you for this recipe. It is absolutely delicious! It will most definitely be on a weekly rotation! Low fat, low calories and only two weight watchers points. You can’t beat that!
Delicious and easy to meal prep. I used small pepper halves to dip the salad.
Delicious! I had no idea what the volume or weight of the chicken you used was. I used two cups of chopped rotisserie chicken and ended up with four one cup servings, not heaping, so only 202 calories each.
Another winner! I made as directed using canned chicken and it came out amazing! This will definitely be going into my meal prep rotation. Thank you for another fast, easy and healthy recipe!
So good! I almost wish it had more sauce (mayo/greek yogurt/salsa and taco seasoning) , just because its soo good! For a new flavour I might add salsa verde for some extra punch. Delicious on an english muffin 🙂
I absolutely love this! Super easy and so delicious and filling! Will definitely be on repeat!
I made this for my husband and daughter who both work full time outside the home and they both really liked it! My daughter said it’s her favorite chicken salad so far. Both of them liked the hint of sweetness from the corn & bell pepper, and said it doesn’t taste like yogurt. I do suggest shredding the chicken as Stephanie recommends! I used to just cut it up when I made chicken salad but both my husband & daughter said they prefer the texture when there aren’t large chunks of chicken.
No surprise here, another amazing recipe by Steph! I made for lunch meal prep and have been enjoying all week!
This is a new favorite! I added the ingredients to my shopping list immediately when I saw them. I meal prepped it for my lunches this week, paired with the Jalapeno Lime Good Thins and some extra veggies on the side. Delicious!
I am looking forward to making this. Your recipes do not disappoint. I have also found your Mac and Cheese recipe I’ll make for Easter. Thank you Steph for being so awesome in the kitchen. You make me look like a rockstar! 🤣
Delicious!! Amazing!! Another tasty recipe! Thank you!
I’ve made this recipe twice this week! The Lightened-Up Southwestern Inspired Chicken Salad is so nice to take in a lettuce wrap or as a cracker topper! It’s a lunch that satisfies you all afternoon. Definitely will be a favourite in my lineup of meal prep from your collection, Steph.
Great recipe! I followed it exactly. Used rotisserie chicken breast. It was very easy to make with things I had on hand, made very generous servings and was delicious!
So yummy and can easily increase or decrease ingredients you love! Dressing is spot on!!
This is amazing!! So fresh tasting. Question… if you use canned chicken, how much?
I’ve followed you on Instagram for a long time and made many of your recipes, but I never take the time to review. I’ll try to remedy that!
This is good! I used a Rotisserie chicken for ease and replaced taco seasoning with chili lime seasoning because the store didn’t have taco seasoning. I omitted cilantro, well, because I realized I don’t like it 🤣
Thank you again! My lunch for the week is made (so long as I don’t eat it later)
Very good!
Hands down the best chicken salad I’ve made! Thank you! 💃
Another 5 star chicken salad! I tasted it the first day and didn’t love it, but the next day when all the flavors has a chance to melt together, tasted amazing!!
Have you ever cooked the chicken in an Instapot? Wondering the temp and time to be able to shred chicken.
This may be my favorite chicken salad! So easy and delicious- perfect for my meal prep lunches!
Made this for my meal prep. My husband and kiddos will not stay out of the container in the fridge! Perfect with the Good Thins Jalapeno & Lime. Another dynamic recipe from Sweet Savory and Steph! Thank you.
This recipe is so good! Made it for my lunches and was very pleased with the taste! Actually love all your recipes, but this was one was super easy and delicious!
This is so delish! Didn’t have black beans so didn’t add any beans in and used frozen roasted corn. So good!👏
so so so good!! i don’t even like chicken salad, but im obsessed!!