Southwest Chicken Salad

This quick + easy Southwest Chicken Salad can be made in less that 15 minutes using ingredients you probably already have on hand! I’ve loaded this up with corn, black beans, bell pepper, chilis, and a creamy cilantro dressing. Serve this over a salad, in a wrap or eat as a high protein snack with chips!

 

Creator: Leslie Stokes

In honor of Earth Month I am partnering with Canned Good to bring you this high protein chicken salad!

 

Using steel canned foods is a great way to reduce waste and this recipe is proof that you can create something so yummy and do your part by helping reduce waste by recycling your cans! Steel food cans can be recycled infinitely….meaning forever and ever! They never lose their ability to be recycled!

 

If you make this recipe, be sure to share to use the canned calculator and then share your picture on social media! Tag me + @cannedgoodoffical  to win some cool prizes!

 

Ingredients:

 

  • chicken breast– I use my instant pot recipe, but canned chicken will work too!
  • corn– drained
  • black beans– drained + rinsed
  • green chilis
  • red bell pepper
  • green onion
  • cottage cheese
  • greek yogurt
  • cilantro
  • paprika
  • cumin
  • garlic
  • chili powder
  • onion powder
  • salt
  • lime juice
  • cotija cheese

***full recipe below

You can use this recipe as a high protein snack or you can do so many other things with it like……

 

  • serve it as a salad over a bed of greens

  • in a wrap with a low carb tortilla + greens + tomatoes

  • make nachos with it

  • make air fryer taquitos 

  • munch on it all week long with chips

  • heat it

    up and top with cheddar cheese to make it a warm dip or appetizer

Can I freeze the leftovers?

 

Yes! This one could be frozen, it might get a little runny, I don’t suggest it, but it could be done! 

High Protein Snacks

High protein snacks are a game changer for the buys person on the go! I always try to prep a small snack that take very little effort and helps me reach my protein goals for the day!

Check out some other snacks I have shared below and Don’t forget to follow along on social media for more Meal Prep + healthy recipes!

Southwest Chicken Salad

This quick + easy Southwest Chicken Salad can be made in less that 15 minutes using ingredients you probably already have on hand! I've loaded this up with corn, black beans, bell pepper, chilis, and a creamy cilantro dressing. Serve this over a salad, in a wrap or eat as a high protein snack with chips!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 9

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cup chopped or shredded chicken I use my instant pot chicken, but you could use canned to make this even faster
  • 1 14.75 oz can or corn
  • 1 15 oz can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 4 oz can diced green chilis
  • 3/4 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup diced green onion
  • 3/4 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/4 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese

Let's Make It
 

  • I like to use my instant pot method to make some chicken to munch on throughout the week, so that is what I will typically use to make this, but you can used canned chicken as well.
  • To make the instant pot chicken, you will add 2-3 chicken breast (fresh or frozen) to the instant pot, season with salt, pepper, garlic, add 1/2 cup of water to the bottom and cook on the meat/stew option for 20 minutes (25 for frozen). Let the instant pot slow release and wait until the chicken is completely cooled down before chopping.
  • Add 3 cups of the chopped chicken into a large bowl, add the corn, black beans, red bell pepper and green onions.
  • To make the dressing, add the cottage cheese, yogurt, cilantro, paprika, onion powder, garlic, chili powder, cumin, lime juice and salt to a blender or large cup. Using and immersion blender or blender, blend up the dressing for about 30 seconds.
  • Pour the dressing over the chicken + veggies, toss to combine everything.
  • Top with cotija cheese + more cilantro.
  • I love eating this as a high protein snack with chips, but you can do so much with it! Try making some taquitos for the fam in the air fryer!
Keyword BBQ Chicken Wrap, buffalo chicken salad, chicken meal prep, chicken salad recipe, easy lunch, high protein diet, high protein snack, meal prep ideas, meal prep recipes, mexican chicken salad, southwest chicken salad

Nutrition Facts

nutrition is based off of 8 servings
Get more high protein snack options + meal prep ideas in my new cookbook

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