Southwest Chicken Salad

A tasty twist on a classic. Southwest chicken salad is packed with roasted chicken, crunchy vegetables, avocados, bacon, and mixed together with creamy cilantro lime avocado mayo. Your family will devour this easy recipe in minutes!

I love a good make-ahead meal.

When we have something going on that doesn’t allow me a ton of time to prepare food in the kitchen, you need a go-to recipe that you can prepare ahead and just throw a meal together.

I love having something that I can serve on some Sourdough English Muffins with a simple side salad, especially with some Honey Mustard Dressing or Kefir Ranch.

After burning my family out on a regular ol’ chicken salad recipe, I created this southwest version, with peppers, tomatoes, avocado, and a hint of fresh lime and cilantro.

Pretty much anything with a Mexican or Tex-Mex twist will get my kids excited about a new recipe, and I’m happy to say that this one was a total win.

The lime and cilantro give this southwest chicken salad such fresh flavor. You could even add some black beans and fresh corn cut right from the cob. Yum, how good does that sound?

Why You Will Love This Southwest Chicken Salad

• This recipe is healthy! It’s packed with ingredients like veggies, avocados, and homemade mayo, and none of that (not so healthy) refined oil mayo. Also, it’s not overly coated in mayo, keeping it light and fresh.
• It’s topped with crispy bacon… need I say more?
• Works as a dip or on a sandwich, or use it to top a green salad or a bed of quinoa. This healthy southwest chicken salad is a versatile and healthy meal.

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Tools you will need:

Instant Pot (optional): This is the easiest and fastest way to cook a whole chicken. You could also roast the chicken, or use a slow cooker.

Large bowl

Cutting board and a sharp knife

Measuring spoons. I love these wooden measuring spoons.

The Ingredients:

Whole chicken: picked from the bones and cooled. Use the leftover bones to make homemade broth.

Avocado: what is a southwest dish without avocado?

Fresh lime juice: all you need is one lime to add that burst of flavor. Want to go a step further? You could add a bit of the zest using a microplane.

Onion: not only does it add a yummy, zingy flavor, but it also adds a little crunch. I dice it up super finely so my kids don’t notice it.

Bell pepper: adds some texture with a yummy crunch. Orange and yellow bell peppers are my favorite to add because of their bright color and sweet flavor. Plus, they’re packed with vitamin C.

Tomato: any tomato will do, but cherry tomatoes are my favorite because they have so much flavor and keep their shape.

Cilantro: this may be one of the best herbs ever. It packs so much flavor. There are some people who really dislike it; if that is you, just leave it out.

Homemade avocado mayo: Made with avocado oil (which is one of the healthiest oils), an egg, lemon juice, and a touch of mustard, this homemade mayo is so easy, and so good for you.

Bacon: crisp up some thick bacon: use half now, and save half for breakfast later.

Seasonings:

Salt: I use Himalayan pink salt.

Garlic powder & Cumin: these spices add that punch of Southwestern flavor.

How To Make Southwest Chicken Salad

1. Cook a whole chicken and allow to cool. My favorite way to cook it is in the Instant Pot, then I can just throw the chicken bones right back in to make some homemade broth, without having to clean it.
2. Mix up some homemade mayo.
3. Shred half of the cooked whole chicken and place in a large bowl. You could also place the meat into a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for easy shredding.
4. Dice veggies. I like to finely chop the onions as small as possible so my children don’t notice them… aka complain about raw onions.
5. Add mayo, seasonings, lime juice, and give it a good stir.
6. Toss in bell pepper, cilantro, onion, tomato, and bacon. Mix.
7. Add in the avocado and gently fold in. Ideally, you want to use an avocado that is not overly ripe so it keeps its shape.
8. Serve on sourdough English muffins, flatbread, or use it to top a nice green salad. Throw in some fermented jalapeños (for the adults) or some fermented salsa.

Find More Delicious Recipes Straight From Our Farmhouse Kitchen:

• Sourdough Crepes Recipes
• Healthy Freezer Meals – Whole Food Recipes From Scratch
• Lacto-Fermented Garlic
• How to Make a Perfect Roasted Chicken
• Healthy Lunch Ideas for Family

Southwest Chicken Salad

Tasty twist on a classic, this southwest chicken salad is made with creamy cilantro and lime avocado mayo and packed with veggies and bacon.

4.37 from 36 votes

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Author: Lisa Bass

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1/2 of a whole chicken picked from the bones and cooled
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 whole avocado diced
• ▢ Juice from 1 lime
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1/2 onions diced
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• ▢ 1 bell pepper diced
• ▢ 1 tomato diced
• ▢ 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• ▢ 1/2 cup Homemade mayo
• ▢ 1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon

Instructions

• Shred half of cooked whole chicken and place in a large bowl.
  
• Add mayo, seasonings, lime juice, and give it a good stir.
  
• Toss in bell pepper, cilantro, onion, tomato, and bacon. Mix.
  
• Add in the avocado and gently fold in.
• Serve.
  

Notes

• If you don't want to make mayo from scratch (which I promise you is super simple) look for one made with avocado or olive oil.
• Throw in a few fermented jalapeños for the adults.
• Ideally you want to use an avocado that is not overly ripe so it keeps its shape.

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 365mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 655IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

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