Dairy-Free Southwest Chicken Salad

Bursting with bold flavors and vibrant colors, this Dairy-Free Southwest Chicken Salad is a nutritious and satisfying meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner. Featuring perfectly seasoned grilled chicken, a crunchy romaine lettuce base, and hearty toppings like black beans, sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a hint of zesty red onion, this salad delivers a delicious southwest flair. The creamy avocado-lime dressing, made without dairy, ties everything together with its tangy richness, all while staying light and wholesome. Whether you're following a dairy-free diet or simply looking for a fresh, protein-packed option, this 35-minute recipe is sure to impress. Serve it as a complete meal or share it as a crowd-pleasing appetizer!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups romaine lettuce
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup corn kernels (cooked, fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 0.25 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
• 0.25 cup cilantro (chopped)
• 1 piece ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
• 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
• 0.25 teaspoon salt (for dressing)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Rub the spice mixture evenly onto both sides of the chicken breasts.

Step 4

Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from grill and allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.

Step 5

While the chicken cooks, prepare the salad base. In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, black beans, red onion, and chopped cilantro.

Step 6

To make the dressing, blend ripe avocado, lime juice, almond milk, minced garlic, and salt in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Drizzle the avocado dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

Step 8

Top the salad with grilled chicken strips and serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with an extra sprinkle of cilantro or lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1488.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1612.0

Total Fat 68.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 295.8mg	0%
Sodium 3318.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.9g	0%
Total Sugars 19.6g
Protein 138.6g	0%

Vitamin D 14.5IU	0%
Calcium 318.5mg	0%
Iron 14.9mg	0%
Potassium 3666.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.2%

Protein: 33.2%

Carbs: 29.6%