Hey there, fellow food lovers! Are you ready to spice up your meal routine with a dish that’s as vibrant as a fiesta? Look no further! Today, I’m sharing my secret recipe for a Spicy Southwest Salad that’s packed with bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a kick of heat that will leave you craving more. Whether you’re looking for a quick family dinner or a fresh salad recipe to add to your rotation, this dish checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s perfect for anyone who loves clean eating chicken salad with a little extra zing!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with fresh, flavorful ingredients that make every bite exciting
- A perfect blend of spicy and tangy that will satisfy your cravings
- Customizable to suit your taste preferences
- Great for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner
- Nutritious and delicious, making it a guilt-free option
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this flavorful Spicy Southwest Salad:
- 1 lime (juiced and zested)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 chicken breasts
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 2-3 tbsp hot sauce of choice (I used Chipotle Cholula)
- 1 head green leaf lettuce (chopped)
- 2 tomatoes (diced)
- 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 2 avocado (sliced)
- 1 cup corn
- ½ red onion (sliced)
- ½ cup tortilla strips
- Cilantro for garnish and lime wedges
Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process to create this mouthwatering Spicy Southwest Salad:
- In a large bowl or gallon-sized zip lock, combine the chicken marinade ingredients. Add the chicken breasts, and toss until covered in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours.
- Spray a grill pan with cooking spray, then heat on medium heat. Once the grill pan is hot, add the chicken breasts, and cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip the chicken breasts and cook on the other side for 5-6 minutes as well. Don’t flip the chicken back and forth, as you won’t get the perfect grill marks! Once the chicken is cooked, set aside to cool, then slice into thin strips.
- While the chicken is cooking, make the southwest ranch dressing. Add the ranch dressing and hot sauce to a small bowl, then stir until combined. Set aside.
- Assemble your salads with lettuce, sliced chicken, tomatoes, black beans, bell pepper, avocado, corn, red onion, tortilla strips, cilantro, and lime juice. Drizzle with the spicy ranch dressing and eat up!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
Here are some tips to help you make the most of this Spicy Southwest Salad recipe:
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 8 hours to ensure maximum flavor.
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially the hot sauce, as it adds a lot of flavor to the dish.
- Customize the salad to your liking by adding or subtracting ingredients.
- For an extra crispy texture, bake the tortilla strips in the oven for a few minutes before adding them to the salad.
- Don’t forget to garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for that extra burst of freshness.
How to Serve
This Spicy Southwest Salad is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with some crusty bread or a side of chips for a more filling option. It’s also a great dish to take to potlucks or picnics, as it’s easy to transport and serves a crowd.
Make Ahead and Storage
If you’re meal prepping, you can prepare the chicken and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The southwest ranch dressing can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week. When you’re ready to assemble the salad, simply combine all the ingredients and enjoy!
There you have it, folks! A delicious and flavorful Spicy Southwest Salad that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick family dinner or a fresh salad recipe to add to your rotation, this dish is sure to become a favorite. So go ahead, give it a try, and let me know what you think in the comments below. Happy cooking!

Spicy Southwest Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lime lime juiced and zested
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 chicken breasts chicken breasts
- 0.5 cup ranch dressing
- 2-3 tbsp hot sauce of choice (I used Chipotle Cholula)
- 1 head green leaf lettuce chopped
- 2 tomatoes tomatoes diced
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper red bell pepper sliced
- 2 avocado avocado sliced
- 1 cup corn
- 0.5 red onion red onion sliced
- 0.5 cup tortilla strips
- cilantro for garnish
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Combine chicken marinade ingredients in a large bowl or zip lock bag. Add chicken breasts, toss to coat, and refrigerate for 8-24 hours.
- Grill chicken breasts in a grill pan over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side. Let cool, then slice into strips.
- Combine ranch dressing and hot sauce in a small bowl. Stir to combine and set aside.
- Assemble salads with lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, black beans, bell pepper, avocado, corn, red onion, tortilla strips, and cilantro. Drizzle with spicy ranch dressing.