High Protein Southwest Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant salad with grilled chicken, black beans, and zesty lime-cilantro dressing for a protein-packed meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp chili powder
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Salad Components

09 - 1 large romaine lettuce heart, chopped
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
12 - 1 cup canned sweet corn, drained
13 - 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
14 - 1/2 avocado, diced
15 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
17 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Lime-Cilantro Dressing

18 - 3 tbsp Greek yogurt (0% or 2% fat)
19 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
20 - 1 tbsp olive oil
21 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 1/2 tsp honey or agave syrup
23 - 1/4 tsp ground cumin
24 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, coating evenly.
03 - Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly across the grain.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
05 - In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, avocado, red onion, cheddar cheese, and cilantro.
06 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of the salad. Drizzle with dressing, toss gently to combine, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The lime-cilantro dressing wakes up everything it touches without overwhelming the fresh vegetables
  • You get 36 grams of protein per serving while still feeling light and refreshed afterward
02 -
  • The dressing can be made up to three days ahead and actually develops better flavor after sitting in the refrigerator
  • Warm chicken against cold crisp lettuce creates the most satisfying eating experience temperature wise
03 -
  • Let your grilled chicken rest for the full five minutes or you will lose all those delicious juices when you slice it
  • Massage a tiny bit of olive oil into the avocado pieces to prevent them from browning if you need to prep ahead
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