High Protein Southwest Chicken Salad

Introduction

The High Protein Southwest Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed meal that delivers on both nutrition and taste. With zesty grilled chicken, colorful veggies, and a punchy Southwest flair, this salad satisfies cravings for something fresh yet hearty. It’s a go-to option for busy weeknights, meal preps, or whenever you’re looking for a delicious way to hit your protein goals.

Flavorful, Filling & Crowd-Pleasing

What makes this salad a true standout is its bold combination of seasoned chicken, crisp veggies, southwest spices, and creamy dressing. The grilled chicken provides a satisfying protein boost, while black beans, corn, and avocado create an irresistible medley of textures and flavors. Each bite brings a mix of smokiness, crunch, and creamy richness—making it a guaranteed favorite for family dinners or lunch meal prep.

Optimizing the Protein Power

This salad is all about maximizing protein without sacrificing flavor. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, marinated in a blend of chili powder, cumin, lime juice, and garlic for maximum taste. Pairing the chicken with black beans, a natural source of plant protein, ensures an extra boost. A homemade yogurt-based Southwest dressing amps up the creaminess and protein content—far healthier than most store-bought dressings!

Easy Prep & Quick Assembly

Grill or pan-sear the marinated chicken until perfectly charred and juicy. Toss together romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell peppers, and red onion in a large bowl. Slice the cooked chicken and layer it over the veggies. Finish by topping with avocado slices, crumbled queso fresco or cotija, and a drizzle of the protein-rich Southwest dressing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this salad as a stand-alone meal, or wrap it in tortillas for a high-protein burrito. For extra crunch, top with a sprinkle of tortilla strips or pumpkin seeds. Pair with a fresh lime wedge and your favorite salsa on the side for added zest.

Nutritional Information & Serving Size

Each serving (of 4) packs approximately 38-42 grams of protein, thanks to the chicken and beans. With less than 500 calories per serving (excluding optional toppings like tortilla strips), you’ll feel full and fueled without heaviness—making it ideal for lunch or dinner.

High Protein Southwest Chicken Salad (Recap)

A lively, powerhouse salad that’s anything but boring—this high protein meal boasts smoky, tangy, creamy, and crisp elements in every forkful. It’s satisfying for meal preps, dinner tables, and anyone chasing a delicious protein punch.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a streamlined shopping list with every ingredient neatly organized by store section—making your weekly meal planning and shopping a breeze!

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and lime juice. Add chicken breasts and let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to overnight).
2. Grill or pan-sear chicken over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side, until cooked through. Let rest before slicing.
3. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dressing by whisking together Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, honey, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, and red onion.
5. Slice chicken and layer on top of the salad mix. Add avocado slices and any desired optional toppings.
6. Drizzle with southwest dressing and toss gently to combine just before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This High Protein Southwest Chicken Salad is a meal prep champion. Save and schedule this recipe for the week to easily generate smart shopping lists and plan protein-packed lunches or dinners ahead of time.

Planning Benefits:

• Consolidates ingredients across all your planned meals
• Automatically organizes shopping lists by grocery store departments
• Reduces duplicate purchases and ensures you never forget a key item
• Streamlines batch meal prep so you stay consistent with healthy eating goals

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals, schedule your recipes to optimize overlapping ingredients. For example, leftover beans or veggies from this salad can be repurposed in a chili or wrap later in the week—saving time, money, and reducing food waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus marinating)
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes (not including marinate time)