Ingredients
Chicken
- 1½ lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Salad
- 1½ cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, drained
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup finely diced red onion
- ½ cup diced bell pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped — optional
Creamy Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp salsa
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook in a skillet over medium heat for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then shred or chop it.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and optional jalapeño.
- Make the dressing: Whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt/sour cream, lime juice, salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture.
- Gently mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
- Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges.
Serving Ideas
Serve with:
- Tortilla chips
- Lettuce cups
- Soft tortillas
- Whole-grain bread
- Avocado slices
- Fresh lime wedges
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving:
- Calories: 350–420 kcal
- Protein: 30–35 g
- Carbohydrates: 25–30 g
- Fat: 15–20 g
- Fiber: 5–7 g
Nutrition varies depending on the mayonnaise, yogurt, and chicken used.
Nut & Allergen Info
- Nuts: No nuts required.
- Dairy: Contains dairy if Greek yogurt or sour cream is used.
- Eggs: Mayonnaise usually contains eggs.
- Gluten: Naturally gluten-free when served without wheat-based tortillas/chips and when packaged ingredients are verified gluten-free.
- Soy: Check mayonnaise, salsa, and packaged ingredients if soy is an allergy concern.
Q&A
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! It makes this recipe much quicker. Remove the skin and shred the meat.
Q: Can I make it without mayonnaise?
Yes. Use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
Q: Can I add avocado?
Absolutely. Add diced avocado just before serving.
Q: Can I make it spicy?
Yes. Add jalapeño, extra chili powder, or a little hot sauce.
Q: How long does it keep?
Keep covered in the refrigerator and use within 3–4 days.
Q: Can I freeze it?
It’s not recommended because the creamy dressing and vegetables can become watery after thawing.