Paleo Southwest Chicken Salad

Take your taste buds on a journey to the Southwest with this vibrant and healthy Paleo Southwest Chicken Salad. Juicy, pan-seared chicken breasts coated in a smoky blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika crown a crisp bed of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, and red onion. The star of the dish is the creamy avocado lime dressing, made from fresh avocado, zesty lime juice, and fragrant cilantro—perfectly tying together the bold, fresh flavors. Packed with protein and wholesome ingredients, this paleo-friendly salad is ready in just 30 minutes, making it a quick, satisfying option for lunch or dinner. Rich in nutrients and bursting with color, it’s a dish that proves healthy eating can be anything but boring!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 6 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 large avocado
• 1 medium lime, juiced
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 0.25 teaspoons salt (for dressing)
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper (for dressing)

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the chicken: rub the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.

Step 3

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.

Step 4

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the salad base: in a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, halved grape tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, and sliced red onion.

Step 5

Make the avocado lime dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, lime juice, cilantro, extra virgin olive oil, water, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding an additional tablespoon of water if the dressing is too thick.

Step 6

Assemble the salad: divide the salad mixture evenly among four serving plates. Top each plate with slices of the cooked chicken.

Step 7

Drizzle the avocado lime dressing generously over the salads. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1294.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1565.2

Total Fat 100.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.5g
Cholesterol 295.8mg	0%
Sodium 2175.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 53.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.7g	0%
Total Sugars 15.8g
Protein 121.0g	0%

Vitamin D 3.5IU	0%
Calcium 249.2mg	0%
Iron 11.2mg	0%
Potassium 3423.3mg	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: 56.5%

Protein: 30.2%

Carbs: 13.3%