Why is my salad watery?

A watery salad is usually caused by not draining your canned corn and beans thoroughly. If using fresh tomatoes, it also helps to scoop out the watery seeds before dicing them.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! This Southwest Chicken Salad is a perfect make-ahead dish. The flavors actually get even better as it chills. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance. If you want to keep the cilantro extra fresh, you can stir it in just before serving.

How can I make a lighter, healthier version of the dressing?

For a lighter dressing that's even higher in protein, you can substitute half or all of the mayonnaise with an equal amount of plain, full-fat Greek yogurt. The tang of the yogurt is a perfect complement to the lime juice and taco seasoning.

Southwest Chicken Salad: The #1 Ultimate Easy Potluck Recipe

The Ultimate Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad (Perfect for the 4th of July!)

A zesty, no-cook chicken salad with a Southwestern flair. This recipe combines cooked and shredded chicken with classic Southwest ingredients like corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, onion, and fresh cilantro. The salad is tossed in a simple and creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, lime juice, and taco seasoning. It’s a quick and easy dish that can be served immediately or chilled for later.

Author: Evelyn
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook, Mixing
Cuisine: Southwestern
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

2 c cooked and shredded chicken (approximately 1 pound)
1 c corn kernels (canned or frozen and thawed)
1 c black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c diced tomatoes
1/4 c finely chopped onion
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro
1 c mayonnaise
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 tbsp lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, and fresh cilantro until they are evenly distributed.
Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, taco seasoning, and lime juice until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Mix Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture in the large bowl.
Stir everything together until all the ingredients are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
Season and Serve: Taste the salad and add salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference. Serve immediately, or cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving shortcut for this recipe.
This salad can be served in various ways: on its own, in sandwiches or wraps, or as a dip with tortilla chips.
For the best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
Calories: 450-550
Sugar: 4-6 g
Sodium: 800-1000 mg
Fat: 35-45 g
Saturated Fat: 5-8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10-15 g
Fiber: 3-5 g
Protein: 25-30 g
Cholesterol: 90-110 mg

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/southwest-chicken-salad/