Southwestern Chicken Salad
Southwestern Chicken Salad
The Concept
Bold, loaded, and deeply satisfying. This is the salad that eats like a complete meal — smoky grilled chicken, black beans, charred corn, pepper jack, and a creamy, cumin-forward dressing that ties every big, bold component together.
Ingredients
For the Southwestern Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper
For the Salad:
- 4 cups chopped romaine
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1½ cups charred corn
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Tortilla strips
For the Creamy Southwestern Dressing:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1–2 tbsp water to thin
- Salt and pepper
Method
Step 1 — Season and Cook the Chicken: Rub chicken with olive oil and all the dry spices. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through with a deep, fragrant crust. Rest and slice.
Step 2 — Char the Corn: Place corn in a hot, dry cast-iron skillet. Let it sit undisturbed for 2 minutes to char, then toss and char the other side. Season with a pinch of cumin, chili powder, and salt.
Step 3 — Make the Dressing: Whisk mayo, sour cream, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and honey together. Thin with water until it's a pourable, creamy dressing. Season well.
Step 4 — Assemble: Lay romaine on a platter. Arrange black beans, charred corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion in separate sections — keep them in distinct color blocks for a striking visual. Add avocado slices. Lay sliced chicken across the top. Drizzle the creamy Southwestern dressing over the entire salad. Scatter pepper jack, cilantro, and tortilla strips.
Chef's Note: This dressing doubles as an incredible dipping sauce for quesadillas. Make extra.
