This Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad puts a flavorful Southwest twist on a classic Caesar salad. Using rotisserie chicken and a simple shortcut dressing means you can have this hearty dinner salad on the table in about 20 minutes.
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This Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad is proof that salad can absolutely be dinner. It’s fresh, colorful, and hearty enough to leave everyone satisfied. An easy shortcut dressing and rotisserie chicken make it one of my favorite meals to pull together when time is short.
Best of all, you can get this wholesome, colorful meal on the table in about 20 minutes, with no cooking required.
Table of Contents
Why this Recipe Works
- A flavorful twist on classic Caesar salad. Simple ingredients and a flavorful shortcut dressing give this salad a tasty Southwest-inspired upgrade.
- Hearty enough for dinner. Packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you full and satisfied.
- Fresh, colorful, and full of texture. Crisp romaine lettuce, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, black beans, cheese, and crunchy tortilla strips make every bite irresistible.
- Perfect for entertaining. Arrange the colorful ingredients on a large platter for a gorgeous presentation that’s sure to impress your guests.
Ingredient Notes
- Romaine and mixed greens: I love using a combination of crisp romaine hearts and mixed baby greens for a nice balance of texture and flavor.
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is my favorite shortcut, but any cooked chicken will work.
- Canned black beans: Be sure to rinse and drain them well before adding them to the salad.
- Corn: Frozen corn works perfectly. Thaw it quickly under cold running water and drain it well before adding it to the salad.
- Cheese: I like a combination of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, but pepper Jack is a great option if you’d like a little extra kick.
- Tortilla strips: You’ll usually find bagged tortilla strips in the produce section or near the salad dressings. Crushed tortilla chips work just as well in a pinch.
- Southwest Caesar Salad Dressing: Start with your favorite prepared Caesar dressing or my Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing. Stir in fresh lime juice, cumin, coriander, and Sriracha for a creamy dressing with Southwest flavor. Trust me on the coriander. It gives the dressing a deeper, more complex flavor. Add as much or as little Sriracha as you like, depending on your preferred level of heat.
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How to Make Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake together the Caesar dressing, Sriracha, cumin, coriander, and fresh lime juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Spread the romaine and mixed greens over a large serving platter. Layer the chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, and cilantro over the greens, arranging the ingredients in rows or piles for a colorful presentation. Drizzle with the dressing or serve it on the side, and top with tortilla strips just before serving.
Storage Tips
Store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The undressed salad will keep well for up to 2 days. Once dressed, it’s best enjoyed within 24 hours since the greens will begin to soften. The Southwest Caesar Dressing will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. For the freshest flavor and texture, add the avocado, dressing, and tortilla strips just before serving.
More Dinner Salad Recipes
Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For the Southwest Caesar Dressing
- ¾ cup Caesar salad dressing, see notes below
- 1 to 2 teaspoons Sriracha, to taste
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- ½ lime, juiced
For the Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad
- 4 cups chopped romaine hearts,
- 2 cups roughly chopped mixed baby greens,
- 2 cups chopped or sliced fully cooked chicken, I use rotisserie chicken
- 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro leaves
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar and/or pepper Jack cheese
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- tortilla strips or chips, for garnish, optional
Instructions
Make the Southwest Caesar Salad Dressing
- Combine the dressing, Sriracha (to taste), cumin, coriander, and lime juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Assemble the Salad
- Scatter the chopped greens over the bottom of a large, shallow bowl or platter. Top with the remaining ingredients, through the avocado, placing them in rows or piles with a little separation between each.
- Top individual servings with the dressing and tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
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This post was originally published on May 4, 2021. It has been updated with new text and images.
