WW Southwest Chicken Salad
A filling, Weight Watchers–friendly salad packed with lean protein, crunchy vegetables, black beans, corn, and a creamy spicy dressing.
Serves
4 large salads
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper
Salad Base
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
WW-Friendly Creamy Southwest Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp salsa
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- 1 tsp honey or zero-calorie sweetener
- Water as needed for thinning
Optional Toppings
- Crushed baked tortilla chips
- Jalapeños
- Reduced-fat shredded cheddar
- Pico de gallo
- Lime wedges
Instructions
1. Cook chicken
Rub chicken with:
- olive oil
- chili powder
- cumin
- garlic powder
- paprika
- salt and pepper
Cook in skillet over medium heat:
- 5–6 minutes per side
until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
Rest 5 minutes, then slice.
2. Make dressing
Whisk together:
- Greek yogurt
- salsa
- lime juice
- taco seasoning
- hot sauce
- honey
Thin with water if needed.
3. Assemble salad
In a large bowl combine:
- lettuce
- greens
- tomatoes
- corn
- beans
- bell pepper
- onion
- cilantro
Top with:
- sliced chicken
- avocado
- dressing
Add optional toppings if desired.
Approximate Nutrition (per serving)
Depending on toppings:
- Calories: 350–450
- Protein: 35–40g
- Fiber: 10–12g
WW Points vary by plan, but this stays relatively low thanks to:
- lean chicken
- Greek yogurt dressing
- high-fiber vegetables and beans
Easy Lower-Point Adjustments
- Use less avocado
- Skip cheese
- Use extra lettuce instead of chips
- Use cooking spray instead of oil
Meal Prep Tips
- Keep dressing separate
- Chicken lasts 4 days refrigerated
- Chop veggies ahead for quick lunches
Great Pairings
- Watermelon slices
- Fresh fruit
- Cilantro-lime cauliflower rice
- Black bean soup
