The Tex-Mex Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing is a celebration of bold Southwestern flavors — juicy spiced chicken, colorful vegetables, creamy avocado, hearty beans, and a punchy homemade cilantro lime dressing that ties it all together.

This salad is everything you love about Tex-Mex cuisine — fresh, flavorful, and full of texture. From the smoky grilled chicken to the crisp lettuce, sweet corn, and tangy lime dressing, every bite feels bright and satisfying.

Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it’s fresh, filling, and fantastically flavorful. It combines everything that makes Tex-Mex food irresistible: smoky spices, citrusy tang, creamy avocado, and the bright freshness of cilantro.

It’s also incredibly customizable and meal-prep friendly. You can grill or pan-sear the chicken, swap in your favorite beans or veggies, and even turn it into wraps or tacos.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

You must try this Tex-Mex Chicken Salad because:

• It’s bursting with bold Southwestern flavors.
• It’s nutrient-rich yet satisfying, with lean protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
• The cilantro lime dressing is a total game-changer — refreshing and zesty.
• It’s perfect for meal prep and stays fresh for days.
• It’s colorful, crowd-pleasing, and feels like a fiesta in a bowl!

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings and Nutrition

• Servings: 4
• Calories: ~480 kcal per serving
• Course: Main Course / Salad
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex / American Southwestern

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
• Juice of ½ lime

For the Salad:

• 6 cups Romaine lettuce or mixed greens, chopped
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or grilled)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 avocado, diced
• ¼ cup red onion, finely sliced
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

For the Cilantro Lime Dressing:

• ½ cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 small garlic clove
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1–2 tbsp water (to thin, if needed)

Cooking Directions

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Marinate and Cook the Chicken

1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
2. Add chicken breasts and coat evenly with the marinade.
3. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes while prepping the salad ingredients.
4. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
6. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.

Step 2: Prepare the Cilantro Lime Dressing

1. In a blender or food processor, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill until ready to serve.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

1. In a large salad bowl or platter, arrange chopped lettuce as the base.
2. Top with black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, avocado, onion, and cheese.
3. Place sliced grilled chicken over the top.
4. Drizzle generously with cilantro lime dressing.

Step 4: Toss and Serve

1. Lightly toss to coat everything in the dressing.
2. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

How to Serve

• Serve this salad immediately after adding the dressing for the freshest texture.
• Garnish with extra lime wedges for squeezing and a sprinkle of chili flakes for a spicy kick.
• Pair with warm tortilla chips, quesadillas, or cornbread for a heartier meal.
• It’s also delicious wrapped in a large tortilla for a Tex-Mex salad wrap!

Recipe Tips

• Perfect Chicken: Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
• Charred Corn: Grill corn for a smoky Tex-Mex flavor.
• Crispy Texture: Add crushed tortilla chips or strips on top before serving.
• Cilantro Substitution: If you dislike cilantro, replace it with parsley and add a little lime zest.
• Make It Spicy: Add jalapeño to the dressing or sprinkle chili flakes on top.

Recipe Variations

1. Tex-Mex Shrimp Salad: Swap chicken for grilled shrimp and add a bit of cayenne to the dressing.
2. Vegetarian Tex-Mex Salad: Skip chicken and add roasted sweet potatoes or tofu.
3. Tex-Mex Steak Salad: Use grilled flank steak with the same dressing.
4. Low-Carb Version: Skip corn and beans, add extra greens and avocado.
5. Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad: Add 1 cup cooked quinoa for a hearty, protein-packed meal.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage:
  • Store undressed salad ingredients in airtight containers for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
  • Store the cilantro lime dressing separately for up to 5 days in a sealed jar.
• Freezing:
  • Do not freeze the salad or dressing.
  • Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before use.

Special Equipment Needed

• Grill pan or skillet
• Blender or food processor (for dressing)
• Mixing bowls
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Salad tongs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Shred store-bought rotisserie chicken and toss it with Tex-Mex spices before adding to the salad.

Q2: Can I use bottled dressing?
You can, but homemade cilantro lime dressing makes a huge difference in flavor and freshness.

Q3: How can I make the dressing dairy-free?
Use vegan mayo and coconut yogurt instead of Greek yogurt and regular mayo.

Q4: Can I meal prep this salad?
Absolutely. Just store dressing separately and combine right before eating.

Q5: What if I don’t like cilantro?
Use fresh parsley or basil and still include lime juice for a fresh, tangy flavor.

Conclusion

The Tex-Mex Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing is everything you want in a salad — bold, colorful, and bursting with personality. It’s healthy yet indulgent, light yet satisfying, and packed with the unmistakable Tex-Mex flavors we all adore.

Every bite offers the perfect harmony of smoky grilled chicken, crisp veggies, creamy avocado, and that zesty, herby cilantro lime dressing that ties it all together.

Whether you’re looking for a weekday lunch, a summer dinner, or a meal-prep favorite, this salad delivers every single time.