Spicy Southwest Salad is the perfect, crave-satisfying salad out there! It’s the perfect blend of crunchy veggies and spicy ranch.
You will love a good creamy salad dressing as well as the crisp and crunchy salad. This Chick-Fil-A spicy southwest salad copycat recipe is a great time to try a little bit of spice with your salads.
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Other Southwest Salad Dressing Recipes
Maybe you’re not into a spicy, southwest dressing, and that’s okay! Try a Copycat Panera Green Goddess Dressing or maybe even just a delicious Boom Boom Sauce to make the salad unique.
Why This Copycat Chick-Fil-a Spicy Southwest Salad Recipe is a Keeper
We love this copycat Chick Fil A spicy southwest salad recipe because it’s so quick and easy and it makes for a great lunch!
- 10 Minute Meal: From start to finish, making this salad and dressing will only take you 10 minutes.
- Easy Ingredients: All of these ingredients are super easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Adaptable: Adapt this southwestern salad to your liking.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Perfect for meal prep to take to work or school for lunch the next day! Even make a spicy southwest chicken salad.
If you’re looking for more salad recipes, try these Strawberry Poppyseed Salad, Chicken Salad with Almonds and Grapes and Orzo Chicken Salad
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Is This Southwest Chicken Salad Like the Chick-Fil-A Salad?
This salad is similar to the Chick-Fil-A southwest salad. To make this salad more of a copycat of the Chick-Fil-A one, add different mixed greens (or salad mix), grape tomatoes, roasted corn, black beans, poblano chiles and red bell pepper.
Spicy Southwest Salad Ingredients
This spicy southwest salad is healthy and delicious and takes only a few ingredients. Plus it will keep you full without many calories. You what the recipe calls for or make it your way.
- Chicken: Make sure the chicken is fully cooked. You can even use leftover chicken for this copycat chicken recipe. It will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Dressing and Toppings: Tortilla strips and chili lime pepitas or whatever you like to make this spicy southwest salad.
Variations and Substitutions to Make this Recipe
- Taco Seasoning: Instead of opening a new packet of taco seasoning, just to use a 1/2 teaspoon of it, make your own! Homemade taco seasoning is super easy to make and it allows you to customize it to your liking.
- Cheese: Opt for a Mexican blend cheese rather than just cheddar or Monterey Jack. Try a blend of Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses.
- Chicken Marinade: You can also feel free to use other chicken for this healthy salad. You could try crispy chicken filet, shredded chicken breast or grilled chicken. Or any lean protein. This will change the southwest salad nutrition information listed below.
How to Make This Grilled Chicken Southwest Salad Recipe
Follow these 2 simple steps to make this delicious southwestern salad.
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These are the basic steps for making Spicy Southwest Salad. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions and nutrition facts.
STEP 1: Salad
First, assemble salad greens, chopped vegetables, beans and shredded cheese on a large plate or large salad bowl. Then add the chicken.
STEP 2: Creamy Salsa Dressing Ingredients
Next, make the dressing. Mix together ranch dressing, lime juice and taco seasoning until well combined. Serve dressing on the side. And you’re ready.
Recipe FAQs for the Spicy Southwest Salad Healthy Version
Expert Tips for Making This Healthy Salad Recipe
This is a chick-fil-a copycat recipe that you will make again and again. You can make the seasoned chicken, dressing and tortilla strips of your choice.
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe to double if you need to feed a crowd. Make sure you use an appropriately sized serving dish.
- Toppings: Tortilla strips, tortilla chips and chili lime pepitas would be a great way to top off your salad.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado in this large salad would be so yummy! You will love this recipe. Or try an avocado lime dressing for more southwest flavors.
- Hardboiled Eggs: If you’re a fan of hardboiled eggs, feel free to add some in.
- Wrap: To make this a delicious, spicy wrap, simply put your salad and dressing into a tortilla and wrap it up.
- Marinate the Chicken: You could let the chicken marinate overnight to give to make spicy chicken. If you have leftover chicken, turn it into southwest chicken salad. Use a grill pan to make a healthier option.
- Meat: Try substituting in a different meat, like ham or turkey, or a meatless option, like tofu, for this salad.
- Spicier: To make this dressing spicier you can add things like chili powder, paprika, hot sauce, red chili flakes and cayenne.
What to Serve with Spicy Southwest Salad Copycat Recipe
- Southwest Mac & Cheese
- Stovetop Chili
- Berry Breakfast Fruit Salad with Citrus Mint Dressing
Spicy Southwest Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups Lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup Chicken breast, diced
- ¼ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Cucumber, chopped
- ¼ cup Tomato, chopped
- ¼ cup Black beans, drained & rinsed
- ⅛ cup Red onion, chopped
Dressing
- ½ teaspoon Taco seasoning
- 1 cup Ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Assemble chopped vegetables, chicken, beans and cheese on a large plate or bowl.
- Mix together ranch dressing, lime juice and taco seasoning until well combined. Serve dressing on the side.
Expert Tips
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe to double if you need to feed a crowd. Make sure you use an appropriately sized serving dish.
- Toppings: Tortilla strips, tortilla chips and chili lime pepitas would be a great way to top off your salad.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado in this large salad would be so yummy! You will love this recipe. Or try an avocado lime dressing for more southwest flavors.
- Hardboiled Eggs: If you’re a fan of hardboiled eggs, feel free to add some in.
- Wrap: To make this a delicious, spicy wrap, simply put your salad and dressing into a tortilla and wrap it up.
- Marinate the Chicken: You could let the chicken marinate overnight to give to make spicy chicken. If you have leftover chicken, turn it into southwest chicken salad. Use a grill pan to make a healthier option.
- Meat: Try substituting in a different meat, like ham or turkey, or a meatless option, like tofu, for this salad.
- Spicier: To make this dressing spicier you can add things like chili powder, paprika, hot sauce, red chili flakes and cayenne.
this salad looks hearty and super delish. I think I would have mine without fat free Ranch. Not a big fan of fat free dressing. So happy to find your blog on pinterest and to now me your newest follower. If you have a chance check out my blog.
YUMMY! there is nothing tastier & more refreshing than a perfect salad.