Description
A fresh and flavorful southwest chicken salad featuring juicy grilled chicken, crisp romaine, creamy avocado, and a tangy lime crema dressing. This easy 5-ingredient meal is perfect for quick lunches or dinners that your family will crave.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced (about 450g or 1 lb)
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped (about 150g or 5 oz)
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (about 150g or 5 oz)
- 2 tablespoons southwest seasoning (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne)
- ½ cup sour cream (120ml or 4 fl oz)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Chop the romaine lettuce into roughly 1-inch pieces, dice the avocado, and halve the cherry tomatoes. If making your own southwest seasoning, mix chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne now.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the diced chicken with 2 tablespoons of southwest seasoning until evenly coated.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together sour cream, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper until smooth to make the lime crema.
- Add chopped romaine, avocado, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the seasoned chicken. Drizzle the lime crema over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated but still fresh and colorful. Avoid overmixing to prevent the avocado from becoming mushy.
- Divide the salad onto plates or bowls. Garnish with extra cilantro or a squeeze of lime if desired. Serve immediately or store leftovers separately with lime crema for up to 2 days.
Notes
[‘Use leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken to save time and add smoky flavor.’, ‘Start with half the lime crema and add more as needed to avoid overdressing.’, ‘Toss diced avocado with a splash of lime juice before adding to prevent browning.’, ‘Customize seasoning to taste; add cayenne or chili flakes for extra heat.’, ‘Serve with warm tortillas or tortilla chips for a complete meal.’, ‘Store leftovers in an airtight container with lime crema separate to avoid sogginess.’, ‘Best enjoyed fresh or within 2 days refrigerated.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving (app
- Calories: 350
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 28
Keywords: southwest chicken salad, lime crema, easy chicken salad, 5-ingredient meal, healthy lunch, quick dinner, avocado salad