This Southwest salad with crispy chicken is a full experience! I debated naming this recipe the ultimate southwest salad because it’s fully loaded and that means it is extra delicious! It also has a delicious cilantro lime creamy dressing that is easy to whip up that goes on top.
![](https://www.flypeachpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/southwest-salad-with-crispy-chicken-3-768x1024.jpg)
This salad has bell peppers, pepitas, cilantro, avocado, crispy jalapenos, tortilla strips, corn, crispy chicken, feta, red onions, tomatoes and bacon. Whew, that is a lot of salad ingredients but so worth putting them all in. It is a bonus that they are all easy to find at the store!
![](https://www.flypeachpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/southwest-salad-with-crispy-chicken-4-768x1024.jpg)
I love to use frozen pre-breaded chicken breasts for this recipe because they are so easy to throw into my air fryer and let them cook up while I prep the rest of this salad. They can also be baked. I love the panko bread coated ones that I find at Costco, they taste great and cook up super fast from frozen. I have also found some lower carb variations that taste great too. The frozen breaded chicken game is strong now a days and I love that.
![](https://www.flypeachpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/southwest-salad-with-crispy-chicken-768x1024.jpg)
I also love homemade breaded chicken and if you want to make it from scratch, feel free to do that too. However, In the name of convenience and dedicated energy, I love the frozen pre-breaded ones.
Here are a few breaded chicken recipes I have on my website:
Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers
Chicken Cordon Bleu
![](https://www.flypeachpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/southwest-salad-with-crispy-chicken-1-768x1024.jpg)
I am a big fan of homemade salad dressings because they are easy to make and honestly taste so much better than store bought in most cases. This one goes into a blender and honestly takes just a few minutes, it’s fresh and yummy!
![](https://www.flypeachpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/southwest-salad-with-crispy-chicken-2-768x1024.jpg)
What you need to make this Southwest Salad with Crispy Chicken also known as the ultimate Southwest salad: (printable recipe card is below)
Serves 2-4 as a main entrée
- 4 1/2 cups spring mix or chopped lettuce of choice
- 1/2 cup pepitas – unshelled pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 bell pepper – any color, diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro – roughly chopped
- 1 avocado – pit and peel removed, chopped
- 1/2 cup crispy jalapenos – found in salad topper area of grocery store
- 1/2 cup tortilla strips –
- 1/2 cup corn – optional to sauté in a pan so it’s golden
- 2 crispy chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup feta
- 3 slices red onions
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
For the dressing:
- 2 1/2 tablespoons oil – flavor neutral
- 3 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/8 cup red onion
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 jalapeno – seeds removed
- 2 cloves garlic
- Dash of chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare vegetable and cook chicken then slice into strips.
- Add all of the salad ingredients into a large serving bowl.
- Add all dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until it’s smooth.
- Serve salad with desired amount of dressing and enjoy.
![](https://www.flypeachpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/southwest-salad-with-crispy-chicken-768x1024.jpg)
Southwest Salad With Crispy Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups spring mix or chopped lettuce of choice
- 1/2 cup pepitas – unshelled pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 bell pepper – any color diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro – roughly chopped
- 1 avocado – pit and peel removed chopped
- 1/2 cup crispy jalapenos – found in salad topper area of grocery store
- 1/2 cup tortilla strips –
- 1/2 cup corn – optional to sauté in a pan so it’s golden
- 2 crispy chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup feta
- 3 slices red onions
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
- For the dressing:
- 2 1/2 tablespoons oil – flavor neutral
- 3 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/8 cup red onion
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 jalapeno – seeds removed
- 2 cloves garlic
- Dash of chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare vegetable and cook chicken then slice into strips.
- Add all of the salad ingredients into a large serving bowl.
- Add all dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until it’s smooth.
- Serve salad with desired amount of dressing and enjoy.
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