High Protein Southwest Chicken Salad (Easy Lunch Meal Prep)
A hearty, high protein Southwest chicken salad loaded with grilled chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and a creamy lime dressing. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lime juice (plus 1 tsp zest)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp cumin
Salt, to taste
4 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 avocado, diced
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 tbsp toasted pepitas (optional)
Dressing:
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp cumin
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Marinate chicken in lime juice, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and salt for 15–30 minutes.
- Grill or pan-sear chicken over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side. Rest, then slice.
- Combine greens, black beans, corn, peppers, tomatoes, and onion in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.
- Add sliced chicken and avocado to the salad.
- Drizzle dressing over top and toss gently, or serve dressing on the side.
- Sprinkle with cilantro and pepitas before serving.
Notes
Marinate chicken for extra flavor. Add dressing just before serving to keep salad crisp.