This Spicy Southwest Salad is super healthy and each bite is packed with flavor. It tastes like the popular spicy southwest chicken salad from Chick-Fil-A, complete with bold Tex-Mex style chicken, creamy salsa dressing, and fresh ingredients. It's nutritious, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make too!
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Joe's Take On a Spicy Southwest Salad
When I'm in the mood for something wholesome, fresh, and filling this southwest salad recipe is always my go-to.
I love a salad that is all jazzed up with a combination of different ingredients. And the ingredients in this salad blend together to create the perfect balance of flavors. And this copycat Chick-Fil-A spicy southwest salad has just that.
I mean, there's perfectly seasoned chicken, southwest-style veggies, a homemade smooth salsa dressing with a little kick, and everything is finished off with crunchy tortilla strips & chili lime pepitas. What's not to love about this salad?
Oh, and for the full Chick-Fil-A experience, you have to make this chicken noodle soup or these iconic chicken nuggets with the Chick Fil A sauce or Chick Fil A honey roasted BBQ sauce to go with the salad. The classic sauce actually works really well as a dressing for this Chick-Fil-A spicy southwest salad too.
And then for dessert, you can whip up these Chick Fil A chocolate chunk cookies!
Why This Recipe Works
It's easy to make. I love how quick and easy this salad is to put together. I'm constantly making it for a quick dinner or meal prep to have for the week.
Better than Chick-Fil-A. The Chick-Fil-A spicy southwest salad is pretty darn good, but I think my version is even better! Fresh, flavorful, and healthy, you just can't beat it.
A winning combination. The spicy southwest salad ingredients all combine to make what I think is the perfect spicy chicken breast salad.
Ingredients
Ok, so this ingredients list is pretty extensive since the salad is packed with so much flavor. But luckily, everything should be easy to find in your local grocery store if you don't already have it at home.
And trust me, getting everything on this list will be so worth it. Once you take your first bite, you'll see how every ingredient adds layers of deliciousness to the recipe.
Anyway, here's what you'll need for the chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts
- ⅓ cup dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
For the dressing:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup hot Jalapeno salsa (or any salsa)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- Bunch of cilantro leaves (½ loose cup)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
And to complete the southwest salad:
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups spring mix
- ½ cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed
- ½ cup corn, rinsed
- ½ bell pepper, chopped
- 12 grape tomatoes
- ½ cup tortilla strips
- ½ cup Chili lime pepitas
By the way, if you're worried that you won't get much use out of these ingredients beyond this southwest salad, you can use almost all of the spices to make this blackened chicken or blackened shrimp! Both actually go really well in this salad.
And if you don't like any of these ingredients, feel free to leave them out and add in anything else you'd like!
How To Make Southwest Salad
Now, once you've got all your ingredients together, the rest of the recipe comes together in a snap.
And I know you want to dig into this salad ASAP, so let's dive into the instructions!
Step 1: Make The Spicy Chicken Breast
First things first, let's prepare the chicken.
To start, pound the chicken breasts a few times with a meat tenderizer to flatten them. Then marinate the chicken breasts in the pickle juice for 2-4 hours.
Now, you don't absolutely have to marinate it, but it totally elevates the flavor of this chicken.
Next, combine the spices for the chicken - cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, ancho chili powder, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder - in a small bowl and give them a good mix.
Once the chicken breasts are done marinating, pat them dry with paper towels and spread sour cream on both sides of the chicken. Then cover the chicken in the prepared spice mix.
Next, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a cast-iron pan.
Then add your chicken breasts to it, cook them for 4 minutes on one side, flip them over, and cook for another 4 minutes.
Transfer your cooked chicken to a plate and let it cool while you prepare the rest of the salad.
Step 2: Make The Southwest Salad Dressing
While the chicken is cooling, we can move on to the dressing. And this southwest salad dressing couldn't be easier to make!
Just combine all the dressing ingredients – that would be your mayonnaise, salsa, sour cream, cilantro leaves, lime juice, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper – in a blender or food processor.
Then, blend everything together until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.
Step 3: Make The Chili Lime Pepitas
The last thing we have to prepare is our homemade chili-lime pepitas. These are optional to make, but they add a one-of-a kind flavorful crunch to the salad.
First, heat a teaspoon of olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Then add your pepitas and a quarter teaspoon of chili powder and mix the pepitas around to cover them in the chili powder.
Toast everything for around 2-3 minutes, then remove the skillet from the heat and toss the pepitas with a teaspoon of lime juice and a sprinkle of salt.
Step 4: Assemble The Salad
Finally, let's put this salad together!
First, add your romaine lettuce and spring mix to a large bowl.
Then, put in the black beans, corn, chopped bell peppers, and grape tomatoes.
Sprinkle on your cheddar cheese, pepitas, and tortilla strips and thinly slice your chicken breasts, and arrange them in the center of the salad
Top it all off by drizzling your creamy salsa dressing over everything and enjoy!
How To Store Southwest Chicken Salad
Like any salad, the best way to enjoy this southwest salad is when it's freshly made.
That said, there are a few tricks you can do if you want to meal prep or enjoy some leftovers the next day. And if you want to do this, I recommend only assembling the amount you plan to eat that day.
Then you can store all of your ingredients in separate containers or in a container with dividers in it.
If you store everything this way in airtight containers, your spicy southwest salad will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When you want to enjoy this salad again, add all of your ingredients to a bowl and dig in!
My Final Thoughts
If you think salads are boring, this southwest chicken salad will definitely change your mind.
It honestly is my favorite salad I've ever made, and I think it might be the best salad you can make at home. Along with this flavorful cucumber salad and La Scala chopped salad.
Of course, I might be a little biased, so you'll just have to try this southwest chicken salad recipe and see for yourself.
And if you do, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
Spicy Southwest Salad Recipe | The Best Southwest Chicken Salad
This Spicy Southwest Salad is super healthy and each bite is packed with flavor. It tastes like the popular spicy southwest chicken salad from Chick-Fil-A, complete with bold Tex-Mex style chicken, creamy salsa dressing, and fresh ingredients. It's nutritious, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make too!
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts
- ⅓ cup dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
Dressing:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup hot Jalapeno salsa (or any salsa)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- Bunch of cilantro leaves (½ loose cup)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salad:
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups spring mix
- ½ cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed
- ½ cup corn, rinsed
- ½ bell pepper, chopped
- 12 grape tomatoes
- ½ cup tortilla strips
- ½ cup Chili lime pepitas
Instructions
- Pound the chicken breast with a meat tenderizer a few times. Pour pickle juice over the chicken and marinade for 2-4 hours.
- Mix the spices for the chicken in a bowl. Pat the marinated chicken with paper towels, then spread with sour cream. Cover with spices.
- Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil in a cast iron pan. Cook chicken on medium heat for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes on the other side. Place on a plate to cool.
- To make the dressing, place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- To make the pepitas, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium low heat. Add pepitas and chili powder and mix. Toast 2-3 minutes then remove from heat and add lime juice, sprinkle with salt.
- Place all of your salad ingredients in a bowl, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle with creamy salsa dressing.
Notes
The scale up function does not change the gram measurements.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 ServingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 399Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 5gSugar: 0gProtein: 23g
Tony
This tastes just like the one from Chick-Fil-A but even better.
Mikayla
This was super good! I’ve never had the one from chick fil a but I can’t imagine it being better than this. Best homemade salad I’ve tried!
Sean
So many good flavors in this salad. Can’t wait to make it again tomorrow!
Mark
Very good. Love the dressing on this
Terry M.
Excellent. Great toppings.
Kiki
Can’t believe how much this tastes like the one from Chipotle.
Bill
Made this yesterday For lunch and it’s delish.
Meghan
In love with this salad!
Marsha Falkner
Really liked the pepitas. I made more right after to have to snack on. Salad was delicious too!
Melody
Really liked this salad. I made those healthy french fries you suggested with it and it was the perfect meal!
Howard
Made this for lunch today and it totally hit the spot!
Bruna
This dressing was great! I used the leftovers and put in on some veggies.
Bailey
The marinade on the chicken is a flavor I've never had before. Delicious! I was definitely skeptical but ended up loving it!
Karen
Split it with my husband, and we both devoured it.
Lisa L
Great salad!
Janet
I made the salad without the chicken. It was very good, I liked the combination of everything!
Brandy
Made a great lunch!
Lane
Had some time on my hands and made this. Well worth it! So many good things in this recipe.
Kimmy
I had this for lunch and then for dinner. Delicious healthy salad!!
Heather
This is such a great go-to! I make one tiny tweak to the dressing by adding a packet of Truvia, to give it that sweet and savory kick. I also used a press on the chicken while it was cooking in the pan, and it came out unbelievably juicy and tender. Definitely a keeper!
Brendan Cunningham
The little sweetness added to the dressing sounds delicious! We're glad you like the recipe 🙂
Tanner
Love this as a low carb salad.
Emila H
I tripled the recipe and served at my sons grad party. It was a hit with our taco bar.
Madison
I made it for lunch and ate the rest for dinner. It was delicious both times and I will be making this salad again soon.
Melie
This was so fresh and a breeze to make!
Shelly
Delicious salad!! I left out a few ingredients so I didn't have to run to the store but I am going to make it again with everything.
Jolyene
Best homemade dressing that I have ever made!!
Jackie
My favorite salad that I have made at home! Will def be making again.
Aubrey
Love love love love this salad!
Rachael
Wow so good!! I love the dressing and have used it for a bunch of other things.
Sidney
I have made this a few times now, very delicious and filling salad!
Britt
It is well worth getting all of the ingredients, totally make it if you're on the fence!!
Nicole
Best salad I have ever made at home by far!
Jamie
Loved this salad!
Sandra M.
So impressed with this salad and all of the tasty elements that are in it.
Ej
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Eme
I love this salad and make it constantly!
Hannah C.
I added some sliced avocado and loved it!
Sean
This is how salads should be
Amanda
Has been my go-to summer salad thus far and love it every time