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Healthy Southwest chicken salad with grilled chicken and creamy chipotle dressing in a white bowl

Healthy Southwest Chicken Salad

A high protein Southwest chicken salad made with grilled chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and a creamy Greek yogurt chipotle ranch dressing. Perfect for meal prep, healthy lunches, or an easy clean eating dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Course dinner, lunch, Salad
Cuisine American (clean eating)
Servings 4
Calories 390 kcal

Equipment

  • Grill pan or skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • cutting board
  • Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

For the Salad:

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 avocado diced
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese optional
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 lime cut into wedges

For the Chicken Seasoning:

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Greek Yogurt Chipotle Ranch Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp chipotle in adobo sauce optional

Instructions
 

  • Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Heat a lightly oiled grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until fully cooked and lightly charred. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and chipotle in adobo sauce until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the chopped romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro to a large salad bowl.
  • Top the salad with sliced grilled chicken. Drizzle generously with the chipotle Greek yogurt dressing and sprinkle with cheddar cheese if using.
  • Serve immediately with fresh lime wedges on the side or store the dressing separately for meal prep.

Notes

  • Store the dressing separately if meal prepping.
  • For a lower carb version, skip the corn and black beans.
  • You can swap chicken for grilled tofu to make it vegetarian.
  • Add cooked quinoa or brown rice for extra carbohydrates and meal prep volume.
Keyword chipotle chicken salad, clean eating lunch, greek yogurt dressing, healthy chicken salad, healthy southwest chicken salad, high protein salad, meal prep salad, southwest salad recipe