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!
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!!
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.
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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Southwestern Chicken Salad
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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Delicious!
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?
This would serve about 6-8 people on regular sandwich buns. So, maybe 16 small rolls?
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!
It is about 2 tablespoons. Enjoy!!
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!
I made this last week, and omg it was so gooood! Thank you for sharing!
I made this last week, and omg it was so gooood! Thank you for sharing!
Warrrrrrr Eagle!!!!!
Warrrrrrr Eagle!!!!!
Now this is chicken salad I could get excited about! 😉 Yum!
That chicken salad looks absolutely divine! However, we need to have chit chat about that Auburn plate 😉
Shea@dixiechikcooks.com
LOVe this salad Stephanie!
Pinning this one, sounds really good Stephanis.
What a fabulous twist on chicken salad. Can't wait to try it!
Sounds delicious! I LOVE chicken salad so this will definitely be taste-tested soon. {found you through AL Bloggers link-up}! Happy Football!
I would totally eat at that restaurant!
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
I love Chicken Salad, your recipe sounds delicious!
Pinning! =)