Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad

Few meals say “fresh, filling, and fun” quite like a Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad. This version piles crisp Romaine together with tender chopped or shredded chicken, juicy Roma tomatoes, hearty black beans, and sweet corn.

Cilantro and green onions add a bright, zesty bite. Cubed cheddar cheese and creamy diced avocado adds richness, and a drizzle of cool ranch dressing ties it all together. A handful of crushed tortilla chips on top for a satisfying crunch in every bite.

I have been working on updating the photos in my Southwest Chicken Salad and decided to create another variation while all of the ingredients were sitting on the counter.

None of my other salads contain cheese, so I thought it was time to shake things up…I even added tortilla chips! I feel so out of control, LOL – No, not really.

This Tex-Mex Salad has a little bit of everything for everyone in the family. If you don’t like or eat cheese, then leave it out. Don’t like soggy tortilla chips? Serve them on the side.

I tried to keep my Tex-Mex salad with chicken as healthy as possible to make up for that insanely decadent Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake from the other day…wow, was that rich and chocolaty!! I am even confident that this salad would qualify for Whole30, Primal, and Paleo with a couple tweaks (aka no black beans, corn, or chips)

Why You’ll Love this Chopped Salad with Chicken

• It’s colorful, loaded with texture, and tastes like your favorite Tex-Mex flavors in a bowl.
• It’s easy to make, so it works well for a weeknight dinner, a make-ahead lunch, or a potluck crowd-pleaser. 
• Rotisserie chicken or leftovers make it come together in minutes.

How to Make a Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad

Start by finding the largest bowl that you own. Add the lettuce, tomatoes, bell pepper, black beans, corn, green onions, cilantro, and cheese.

Drizzle on the lime juice and Ranch Dressing (** link to recipe below). Toss to combine.

If serving immediately, add in the tortilla chips and avocado and gently toss together. Serve with additional chips.

and napkins!

To make your Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad Whole30 and Paleo compliant, simply add additional tomatoes and bell peppers in place of the black beans and corn. You could also add cucumber chunks, sliced olives, and jicama. 

Expert Tips

• If you do not like your avocado chunks to get smooshed in your salad, or anyone is allergic to them like me, serve them on the side.
• This salad is super fast to prepare using bagged lettuce and leftover or rotisserie chicken. I had bags of Romaine and Spring Mix in the refrigerator, so that’s what I used.
• **Homemade Ranch Dressing, Avocado Ranch Dressing, Chipotle Ranch Dressing, and Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing are all good choices for this salad.
• I use sliced or shredded Southwest Chicken in my salads, which can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
• I cubed the cheddar cheese to be similar in size with the vegetables, but you could also use grated if you like.

More Easy Chopped Salad Recipes

• Apple Harvest Salad
• Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame-Ginger Dressing
• BBQ Chicken Salad
• Classic Cobb Salad