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Easy Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad
If you’re anything like me, then you are probably just as obsessed as I am with Chick-Fil-A salads. They’re delicious, convenient, and perfect for when it’s warm outside! But they can also be expensive and they aren’t ideal for feeding an entire family.
We’re a family of 5, so making this Spicy Southwest Salad copycat recipe at home has been a game changer! It’s quick and easy, and I love that I can make a big batch for an affordable price. It’s also healthy and full of veggies! I could eat this yummy salad every single day – it tastes just like the real deal!
RELATED: 100+ Quick Healthy Dinners (30 Minutes Or Less)
Is The Spicy Southwest Salad Healthy?
While the Chick-Fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad is healthy in that it is full of nutrient-loaded vegetables and ingredients, it’s definitely one of the higher-calorie salads on their menu. However, making this homemade version of the salad and dressing is a great way to lower the calorie count and keep the nutrition in the meal!
The Chick-Fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad has 690 calories. This copycat recipe has about 343 calories with the same amount of protein and the same amount of deliciousness as the original!
Chick-Fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad Ingredients
What’s in the Chick-Fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad? Here are the ingredients:
- Southwest Chicken – Smoked paprika, spicy cayenne, citrusy orange, and a bright vinegar help make this recipe come to life!
- Lettuce – The original recipe uses chopped romaine, but I personally love the added nutrition of chopped spinach or kale.
- Bell Pepper – Red or green bell pepper are roasted with the chicken in the oven before topping this salad!
- Tomatoes – Freshly sliced grape tomatoes are best, but any type of tomato works great.
- Black Beans – Cooked black beans are best, but pinto or red beans are delicious options as well!
- Corn – Is it even a Southwest salad without the corn? So yummy!
- Pepitas – The original recipe calls for Chili Lime Pepitas, but you can just use regular pepitas (pumpkin seeds) as well.
- Tortilla Chips – Crushed tortilla chips or tortilla strips take this salad to another level!
- Shredded Cheese – Feel free to use any type of shredded cheese or omit entirely if necessary.
Dressing for Spicy Southwest Salad
This salad is best served with this Southwest Salad Dressing recipe, which is also a copycat of the Chick-Fil-A version. It’s lower in calories, made with better ingredients, creamy, and yummy!
Other salad dressing ideas for this recipe include this Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing, 10-Minute Healthy Ranch Dressing, or Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing for a dairy-free option.
How to Make the Chick-Fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad (Copycat Recipe)
This is my go-to healthy dinner salad and it’s unbelievably easy to make! If you’re looking to make the Chick-Fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad at home, here’s how to put it together:
- Marinade the chicken overnight (or for a few hours).
- Bake the chicken.
- Put the salad ingredients together.
- Add the chicken and toss.
- Drizzle with dressing and enjoy!
Chick Fil A Southwest Salad Recipe Tips
- Marinate the chicken anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours before baking!
- You can even bake the chicken in advance and keep it refrigerated for 2-3 days until you’re ready to serve.
- Adjust the toppings to taste!
More Like This Southwest Salad Chick-Fil-A Copycat Recipe
- Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe
- Spicy Radish Summer Quinoa Salad
- Easy Healthy Taco Salad w/ Ground Turkey
- Moroccan Chickpea Carrot Salad
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad
- Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad
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Chick Fil A Spicy Southwest Salad Copycat Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Southwest Chicken Marinade
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar (or any vinegar)
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 medium chicken breasts (or 3 small)
Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 6-8 cups chopped spinach (or romaine)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup pepitas
- 1 cup crumbled tortilla chips (or tortilla strips)
- 1/3 cup Southwest Salad Dressing
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- Mix the ingredients for the marinade together.
- Place the chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag and pour the marinade over it.
- Marinate the chicken overnight (or for at least 30 minutes before baking).
Making the Spicy Southwest Salads
- Preheat the oven to 350 degress F.
- Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
- Add the chopped bell pepper to the baking sheet and continue to bake for another 15 minutes (or until the chicken is fully cooked).
- While the chicken is baking, make the salad dressing.
- Chop the spinach.
- In a large salad bowl, toss all of the salad ingredients together (except for the pepitas, tortilla chips, and dressing).
- Add the chicken and bell peppers once they are done baking and toss together.
- Plate each salad, add the pepitas, tortilla chips, and drizzle with dressing.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate the chicken anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours before baking! You can even bake the chicken in advance and keep it refrigerated for 3-4 days until you’re ready to serve.
- Other salad dressing ideas for this recipe include this Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing, 10-Minute Healthy Ranch Dressing, or Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing for a dairy-free option.
amy liu dong says:
I love the vibrant colors of this recipe. It is so beautiful, flavorful, easy to make and delicious!
Swathi says:
Spicy southwest salad is delicious and filling great with homemade soup. I am going to make it again.
Paula says:
YUM! That is my fave salad at chick-fil-A and I’m thrilled to find your recipe and make my own. Much easier meal prep (and cheaper too!) Thanks for this!
Nicole says:
This staying in my rotation. It’s BETTER than the original.
Lindsay says:
This was so good – way better than at the restaurant! Can’t wait to make it again for lunches.
Tiffany says:
Can I substitute the orange juice with pineapple juice?
Christine McMichael replied:
Yes, that should work great!
Lauren says:
Delicious! Loved the chicken marinade!!
Jasmin escalera says:
Can I use any kind of oil for the marinade?
Christine McMichael replied:
Yes, any kind of cooking oil works great!
jeff kilmer says:
Made one ….. then ended up making 4 more for the entire extended family. Great recipe and everyone loves it, so thank you!
Tristin says:
Chick-fil-A has such great salads, I can’t wait to make this one for dinner this week!