Ingredients
Scale
Gathering the ingredients for this salad is like preparing a palette of colors for a masterpiece. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup southwest dressing or your favorite vinaigrette
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
If you’re looking to switch things up, you can substitute the chicken with grilled shrimp or even roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian twist. Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less of your favorite hot sauce to the dressing.
Instructions
Let’s bring this vibrant salad to life with these simple steps:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and cilantro.
- Add the mixed salad greens to the bowl and toss gently to combine all the ingredients. This is where I often find myself reminiscing about the joy of mixing ingredients with my grandmother.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top if using, allowing it to meld with the other flavors.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the southwest dressing and lime juice. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing gently to ensure everything is well coated.
- Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Sometimes, I like to add a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick.
- Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for up to an hour to let the flavors develop. Enjoy this salad with your loved ones and watch as it becomes a staple in your meal rotation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International