Keto Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

This keto southwest chicken salad is the perfect grab & go lunch option! Made with tasty chipotle chicken, crunchy veggies, and homemade ranch dressing – this recipe is both nutritious and delicious.

Article Index

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Video tutorial
• Ingredients needed
• Cooking tips
• How to make southwest chicken salad
• What to serve with chicken salad
• Variations
• FAQs
• Related recipes
• Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Salad haters, listen up! If you struggle to get in your daily greens, my easy southwest chicken salad recipe is the answer to your woes.

This salad isn't your ordinary health food – it's creamy, satisfying, and totally keto-approved!

When I'm prepping a keto salad, it needs to have:

• Good protein
• Healthy fat
• Low-carb count
• The ability to fill you up!

This southwest chicken salad checks all these boxes (and more!).

Video tutorial

Ingredients needed

This fresh recipe is filled with tasty, whole ingredients that when combined, make one amazing salad!

Each ingredient is low-carb and keto-friendly.

Chicken tenders

The star of this recipe is the chipotle-seasoned chicken!

I like to use chicken tenders (or sliced chicken breasts) in the recipe because they're pre-portioned for easy serving.

Chipotle seasoning

To give this southwest chicken salad some real flavor, chipotle seasoning is a must.

You can buy traditional chipotle seasoning made from chipotle peppers. Just make sure to check the ingredients for any additives!

For a bit more of a complex flavor, you can try making your own mix. Simply add your spices to a mason jar, shake and store!

Possible spices for your mix include:

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Thyme
• Garlic powder
• Basil
• Chipotle pepper or cayenne
• Smoked paprika

Salsa

For added flavor and acidity, I like to add salsa to my southwest chicken salad.

Optionally, you can also add fresh, juicy tomatoes.

Veggies

I use lots of keto vegetables in this salad to keep it fresh and nutrient-dense.

Iceberg lettuce, bell peppers, and onion make for a classic mix.

Cilantro

Fresh cilantro adds so much amazing flavor to this salad; if you're not a fan of this herb, substitute for parsley.

Cheese

Cheese adds some major yum to this recipe (plus some bonus fats!).

You can use whatever shredded cheese you have at home whether that be mozzarella, cheddar, or Mexican blend.

Homemade ranch dressing

When it comes to salad dressing, homemade is always the tastiest! I also like making my own dressings so that I know there are no sneaky added sugars.

My simple ranch dressing ingredients include sour cream, milk, and a ranch dressing packet.

Cooking tips

This easy southwest chicken salad recipe comes together in a pinch! Here are a few cooking tips to ensure success:

• Add olive oil to your skillet to limit sticking.
• Use a splash of chicken broth to help your seasoning break down.
• Wait until your chicken cools completely before adding it to your salad to prevent wilted greens.

How to make southwest chicken salad

Making this Southwest chicken salad truly couldn't be more simple! These are the steps I take:

Cook your chicken

Begin by adding your chicken tenders (cut chicken breasts) to a large skillet. Add your chipotle seasoning on top!

Cook your chicken on medium-high heat for around 8 minutes, or until cooked through.

Chop the vegetables

Next, prep your veggies!

Chop your iceberg lettuce, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red onion.

You can chop based on your preference; I like to chop my vegetables into small pieces so that I get the perfect bite, every time!

Prep your salad

In a large bowl, add your chopped vegetables along with chopped cilantro and shredded cheese. You can use mozzarella, a Mexican blend, or whatever you have on hand.

Toss to combine.

Make your dressing

Next, prepare your keto ranch dressing; in a large bowl, combine 1 ranch dressing packet with a container of sour cream and ¼ cup milk.

Set your dressing aside until serving. Pre-dressing your salad makes for wilted lettuce.

Combine and serve!

When you're ready to chow down, top your salad mixture with your southwest chicken and ranch dressing.

Serve your southwest chicken salad immediately!

What to serve with chicken salad

This Southwest chicken salad recipe is perfect for lunchtime; this makes it a great choice for meal prep! Serve it alongside almond flour muffins or low-carb cheddar biscuits for a hunger-satiating meal.

If you want to serve this salad at dinner, round off a soup and salad combo with an Instant Pot taco soup or my 4-ingredient Mexican chicken soup.

Variations

If you want to switch up your flavors, or simply use the ingredients you already have on hand, try any of these recipe variations:

• Add taco seasoning to your chicken for extra flavor!
• Include cherry tomatoes for color and a nutrient boost.
• Use greek yogurt instead of sour cream
• Try chopped romaine lettuce instead of iceberg.
• Squeeze fresh lime juice on top for a burst of acidity.
• Top with avocado for a tasty, healthy fat!

FAQs

These are a few common questions I get about my keto southwest chicken salad recipe. If you don't see your question answered, please leave it for me in the comments down below.

What is a Southwest salad made of?

Traditional southwest salad varies depending on the recipe but usually consists of grilled chicken, greens, sweet corn, black beans, cheese, and a creamy southwest dressing.

My keto version of the southwest chicken salad doesn't stray far! I simply swap out beans and sweet corn for extra vegetables to avoid a high carb count.

What is Southwest dressing made of?

Southwest dressing ingredients also vary but the flavor profile remains the same; it's creamy, full of spices, with a bit of acidity.

Many dressings include ingredients like apple cider vinegar, lime juice, sour cream, and an abundance of spices.

For my southwest chicken salad recipe, I simply use a homemade ranch dressing and let the chipotle chicken speak for itself!

Related recipes

Want more quick and easy keto lunches like this southwestern chicken salad? I have a ton of keto salad recipes and other great lunch ideas to help you get through the week. Here are a few to get you started:

• Asian Spiralized Zucchini Noodle Salad uses clever, veggie-packed zucchini noodles as a keto alternative! Enjoy your noodles while also sneaking in some extra vegetables.
• Tuna Egg Salad with Sour Cream is unbeatable in lettuce cups or on a sandwich. Prep this salad for tons of protein, anytime!
• Keto Cobb Salad Recipe with Chicken transforms your average salad into a keto masterpiece! Prep your ingredients ahead of time for a quick and easy lunch option.
• Low-Carb Cream of Mushroom Soup combines heavy cream, mushrooms, and thyme for a delectable concoction!
• Keto Tomato Soup served alongside a Keto Grilled Cheese Sandwich? Talk about comfort food heaven! Enjoy them together on a cold day.

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