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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Salad Recipes

Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad

Updated: Jan 10, 2024 ยท Published: Jun 25, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Time: 40 minutes mins

This Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad recipe has wonderful chipotle-seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, and tortilla strips served hot on a bed of greens.

It is a complete meal worthy of company, friends, and family that will become one of your favorite lunch meals. Serve it warm on a large plate of greens, a pita, or a wrap.

๐Ÿ“Ingredients

Skinless boneless chicken breasts
Chipotle seasoningโ€”my Southwest Chipotle Seasoning or commercial
Vegetable oil
Toppingsโ€”corn, black beans, onion,
Creamy dressingโ€”Southwest, Avocado, or Chipotle
Shredded cheeseโ€”usually cheddar or Mexican blend
Toppingsโ€”corn, black beans, onion, tortilla strips
Mixed greens
Optional additionsโ€”slices of avocado, bell peppers, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, red onion, jalapeรฑo slices

Chipotle chicken salsd on gray plate.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐Ÿ“Ingredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to make Southwest Chipotle Chicken Saladโ€”Step by Step
  • โœ”๏ธTips to make it right every time
  • Chicken Salad Recipes
  • How to store leftovers
  • โ“FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Southwest chipotle chicken salad is perfect for a casual but elegant complete lunch. Crisp fresh greens get topped with spicy Chipotle chicken, sweet corn, black beans, crunchy tortilla strips, and topped with your favorite creamy dressing.

Reference Posts

  • Seared and Baked Chicken Breasts
  • Southwest Chipotle Seasoning

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to make Southwest Chipotle Chicken Saladโ€”Step by Step

cooked chicken and salad makings.

1. Preheat oven to 375ยฐ convection or 400ยฐ conventional.

trim and pat dry chicken breasts..

2. Trim and pat dry two skinless boneless chicken breasts. If thick, thin to ยพ inch with a meat mallet.

Chicken in skillet with Chipotle Rub.

3. Give them a nice sprinkle of chipotle seasoning. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat and sear both sides of the chicken breast for 2-3 minutes each.

sliced chipotle chicken on a black board.

4. Place in the oven and bake until an internal temperature of 165ยฐโ€”about 25 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes before cutting into slices or dicing.

warming toppings in a skillet.

5. Using the pan the chicken cooked in, add one small or ยฝ medium onion sliced or chopped, ยฝ cup corn, and ยฝ cup black beans. Cook over medium-high heat until there is a slight browningโ€”about 4-5 minutes.

Chipotle chicken salsd on blue plate.

6. On a large plate, cover with greens of your choice. Half of a 5 oz package is just about right. Top with a sliced chicken breast. Next, cover with the hot bean/corn/onion mixture. Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese, then a handful of tortilla strips.

Chipotle chicken salsd with dressing.

7. Serve with Southwest, Avocado, or Chipotle dressing.

For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.

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โœ”๏ธTips to make it right every time

  • Chicken breasts are suggested, but you can use thighs or skip the meat. If the breasts are thick, thin them to ยพ inch with a meat mallet.
  • Chipotle season or rub is needed for the chicken. You can use my version if you want. My Chipotle Seasoning Recipe or commercial versions are available.
  • Creamy Avocado and Southwest Chipotle dressing are available in most markets.
  • Use frozen corn and beans to minimize waste, but canned or fresh may be used.
  • Like all salad recipes, vary to your taste, but this salad will fill you up at lunch, unlike others.
  • A large salad serving needs about 2 cups of mixed greens, approximately 2 oz.

Chicken Salad Recipes

Don't forget to check out other chicken salad recipes, like Waldorf Chicken Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, and my Basic Chicken Salad Recipe. Other light lunch recipes you will like are Simple Spinach Salad, Easy Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, and Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches.

How to store leftovers

Store the leftover topping refrigerated for 4 days, sealed in an airtight container.

โ“FAQs

Is chipotle seasoning the same as chipotle chili powder?

No. Both will have ground-smoked jalapeno peppers as one of the ingredients, but otherwise, they are totally different.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

Chicken Breast Recipes, Chicken Recipes, Mexican Recipes, Salad Recipes

Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

Chipotle chicken salsd on gray plate

Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad

From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
This Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad recipe has wonderful chipotle-seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, and tortilla strips served hot on a bed of greens.
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :2
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoons Chipotle seasoning - homemade or commercial
  • 2 teaspoons oil
  • ยฝ cup sweet corn
  • ยฝ cup black beans
  • 1 onion - small or ยฝ medium diced or sliced
  • 5 oz cleaned mixed greens - about 5 cups
  • ยฝ cup Creamy dressing - Southwest, Avocado, Chipotle
  • ยฝ cup Shredded cheese - usually cheddar or Mexican blend
  • ยฝ cup tortilla strips
Optional additions
  • slices of avocado, green peppers, tomatoes
  • cilantro, red onion, jalapeรฑo slices

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375ยฐ convection or 400ยฐ conventional.
    cooked chicken and salad makings
  • Trim and pat dry two skinless boneless chicken breasts. If thick, thin to ยพ inch with a meat mallet.
    trim and pat dry chicken breasts.
  • Give them a nice sprinkle of chipotle seasoning. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat and sear both sides of the chicken breast for about 2-3 minutes each.
    Chicken in skillet with Chipotle Rub
  • Place in the oven and bake until an internal temperature of 165ยฐโ€”about 25 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes before cutting into slices or dicing.
    sliced chipotle chicken on a black board
  • Using the pan the chicken cooked in, add one small or ยฝ medium onion sliced or chopped, ยฝ cup corn, and ยฝ cup black beans. Cook over medium-high heat until there is a little browningโ€”about 4-5 minutes.
    warming toppings in a skillet
  • On a large plate, cover with greens of your choice. Half of a 5 oz package is just about right. Top with a sliced chicken breast. Next, cover with the hot bean/corn/onion mixture. Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese, then a hand full of tortilla strips. Serve with dressing on the side.
    Chipotle chicken salsd on gray plate

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. The feature of this salad is the seasoning Chipotle Seasoning.
  2. Thinner chicken breasts work bests. Be sure to get a final internal temperature of 165ยฐ.
  3. Frozen black beans and corn are recommended, but you can use canned or fresh.
  4. 1 oz of greens is approximately one cup.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 659 kcal (33%)Carbohydrates : 34 g (11%)Protein : 38 g (76%)Fat : 42 g (65%)Saturated Fat : 7 g (35%)Cholesterol : 98 mg (33%)Sodium : 995 mg (41%)Potassium : 891 mg (25%)Fiber : 7 g (28%)Sugar : 7 g (8%)Vitamin A : 549 IU (11%)Vitamin C : 12 mg (15%)Calcium : 179 mg (18%)Iron : 2 mg (11%)
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Southwest
Keyword: Chipotle Chicken Salad, Southwest Chicken Salad

This is my copycat version of my wife's favorite lunch Chicken Fiesta Salad at Grand Traverse Pie Company.

Editor's Note: Originally Published August 22, 2015. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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More Salad Recipes

  • Chicken salad on toasted bread.
    Basic Chicken Salad Recipe
  • macaroni salad on a white plate
    Easy Macaroni Salad (Classic Recipe)
  • broccoli salad with bacon and raisins on a white plate.
    Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Raisins
  • Spinach salad with bacon and dressing.
    Simple Spinach Salad with Bacon and Ketchup Dressing

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  1. Savannah says

    September 12, 2018 at 11:13 am

    Fajita dry mix on chicken and thick sharp cheddar cheese & no onion.

    Reply
  2. Joan says

    October 06, 2015 at 8:22 am

    I made this last night. My picky husband loved it as did I. I made a few changes. I used leftover chicken tossing it in the rub and then tossing it in the skillet with the vegetables, made my own southwestern dressing and crumbled corn chips on top since my husband can't have gluten and the tortilla strips in the store aren't GF. I never get past the peach crumble pie when I go to the Grand Traverse Pie Company so I had never tried their version of this salad.

    Reply

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