Southwestern Chicken Salad

Southwestern Chicken Salad – bursting with flavor! Super simple to make and tastes great! Cooked chicken, mayonnaise, lime juice, taco seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, corn kernels, green pepper, celery, tomatoes, and cilantro. Great for parties, potlucks, and meal prep. People always ask for the recipe!

bowl of chicken salad with croissants and text overlay

Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

This Southwestern Chicken Salad is not your ordinary chicken salad. It is loaded with corn, peppers, tomatoes, lime juice, taco seasoning, and cilantro. TONS of great flavors!! It is out of this world delicious! It is hands-down better than any restaurant! This is my go-to recipe for potlucks and baby showers. It always gets rave reviews. One bite and you will know why!!

bowl of chicken salad

How to Make Southwestern Chicken Salad

This dish is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Start with chopping green bell peppers, celery, and plum tomatoes. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes. Stir in chopped chicken, bell peppers, celery, tomatoes, and cilantro. Coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with some additional chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • I use rotisserie chicken in this recipe.
    • This is a great recipe to use up any leftover cooked chicken. You can use any cooked chopped chicken that you have on hand. Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, or chicken legs.
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning made with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/
  • Don’t like cilantro? You can leave it out or substitute fresh parsley.
  • For extra flavor, use a can of Mexicorn corn kernels.
  • What can I add to Southwestern Chicken Salad?
    • black beans
    • avocado
    • red bell peppers
    • red onion
    • cherry tomatoes
  • Can substitute plain Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise to reduce the calories.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
chicken salad sandwich on a plate

What to Serve with Southwest Salad

This has quickly become one of our favorite chicken salad recipes! We like to serve it on mini croissant rolls drizzled with some jalapeño ranch dressing and tortilla chips. It is equally delicious on crackers, in a romaine lettuce wrap, or in a tortilla wrap. This is great for a party or meal prep since it can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. I promise this chicken salad is not to be missed!

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bowl of chicken salad with text overlay

Southwestern Chicken Salad

Yield: 10 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Southwestern Chicken Salad – bursting with flavor! Super simple to make and tastes great! Cooked chicken, mayonnaise, lime juice, taco seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, corn kernels, green pepper, celery, tomatoes, and cilantro. Great for parties, potlucks, and meal prep. People always ask for the recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 10 Tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • dash crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 cups cooked chicken
  • 1 (11-oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
  • ½ green pepper finely diced
  • ½ cup finely diced celery
  • 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

  • In medium bowl whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Coat evenly.
  • Cover and refrigerate 25-30 minutes before serving.

Notes:

  • I use rotisserie chicken in this recipe.
    • This is a great recipe to use up any leftover cooked chicken. You can use any cooked chopped chicken that you have on hand. Chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, or chicken legs.
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning made with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/
  • Don’t like cilantro? You can leave it out or substitute fresh parsley.
  • For extra flavor, use a can of Mexicorn corn kernels.
  • What can I add to Southwestern Chicken Salad?
    • black beans
    • avocado
    • red bell peppers
    • red onion
    • cherry tomatoes
  • Can substitute plain Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise to reduce the calories.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Steph

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Comments

  1. This looks wonderful. I have just been asked to host a luncheon for about 135 people. How much would one batch make if I use mini rolls and crackers for the GF segment?

  2. silly question – wanted to make this for potluck at work this weekend. how much is the lime juice? 1 small lime? 1 teaspoon? 1 tablespoon? thanks again!

  3. Made this a couple of days ago. I didn't have any corn so I had to leave it out. Regardless, it was so GOOD! I couldn't quit eating it. I will definitely be making it again. Thanks for the great recipe!

  4. Sounds delicious! I LOVE chicken salad so this will definitely be taste-tested soon. {found you through AL Bloggers link-up}! Happy Football!

  5. I agree, you should open a restaurant. I'd come 🙂
    This chicken salad sounds really unique. I'll be making it sometime soon. Thanks Stephanie!
    Renee – Kudos Kitchen

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