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Summer is coming and if you are on the lookout for a fresh and easy appetizer to serve at your next party or get together, the Skinny Southwest Chicken Dip is perfect! Full of tender white meat chicken and loads of veggies and spices this is a healthy Southwest Chicken Salad that can be served as an appetizer or a main course!
This recipe was originally posted in 2013.
SKINNY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD
Remember the movie “Mermaids?” The mom only had one cookbook and it was for finger foods, so that’s all she knew how to cook – everything was on a stick! I could totally live my life eating like that. Finger foods, dips, appetizers, yeah those are my loves.
Unfortunately, those types of foods are generally not that good for you. They usually taste amazing, but they aren’t amazing for your waistline. Unless, that is, you’re indulging in this amazing Skinny Southwest Chicken Dip. It’s definitely doesn’t taste healthy, but it really is!
DIFFERENT WAYS TO ENJOY SKINNY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD
- Serve as a dip with tortilla chips or pita crisps.
- Wrap in a tortilla or lettuce cups.
- Serve on a bed of lettuce or in a pita pocket for a lo-carb lunch.
- Spread between two slices of toasted wheat bread for a delicious sandwich.
I love that it’s healthy, and my kids practically demand the stuff! We had a “leftovers night” not to long ago, and this was his choice over everything else! It’s got tons of vegetables, like peppers, tomatoes and corn, black beans and chicken for protein and Greek yogurt with lots of southwest seasonings.
WHAT’S IN A SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD?
- Shredded chicken breast
- Black beans
- Tomatoes
- Bell peppers
- Green onions
- Corn
- Lime juice
- Greek yogurt
- Taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper
The salt will be an important element of this recipe, because it will amp up all of the other ingredients, so if the salad seems bland to you, add salt.
HOW TO MAKE SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD
This Southwest Chicken Salad could not be easier to make! Simply combine the ingredients together in a large bowl, season with salt and pepper and a few squeezes of lime juice. Enjoy as a salad or serve with chips for a delicious Southwest Chicken Dip!
My son has already requested to take this in his lunch during the school year. I think he thinks he’s getting away with something because he eats it with tortilla chips. I’m just happy he’s actually eating something other than chicken nuggets!
If you liked this Skinny Southwest Chicken Appetizer, you’ll love:

Skinny Southwest Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Plain Greek Yogurt
- 1-2 tablespoons Taco seasoning to taste
- 2 cups shredded or diced boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 bunch green onions chopped
- 6 mini sweet peppers or one large orange red or yellow pepper, diced
- 1 15-ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can corn drained
- Salt to taste
- Lime juice to taste
Instructions
- Mix yogurt and seasonings in a small bowl and set aside while you prep the rest of your ingredients.
- Mix chicken, veggies, and beans in a large bowl.
- Add yogurt mixture and combine well to coat.
- Add salt to taste.
- Can be served immediately, but if possible, allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Great beginning dip. I did add some cumin, fresh cilantro, and fresh, diced jalapeno for extra flavor and a little pop.
Awesome feedback Cindy! Thanks for stopping by.
How do you cook your chicken for this recipe?
There are several options – you could boil the chicken for about 20-30 minutes, then shred it.
Cook it in the slow cooker: https://www.yellowblissroad.com/easy-slow-cooker-shredded-chicken/
Cook it in the instant pot: https://www.yellowblissroad.com/instant-pot-shredded-chicken/
Or cook up some of my baked chicken: https://www.yellowblissroad.com/baked-chicken-breasts/
Or you could go the easiest route, and purchase a fully cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and just shred that.
As some of the others said, I found it quite bland as well. I ended up adding a LOT more garlic and onion powder, some more chili powder and even a little taco seasoning. It ended being good and my husband and I both enjoyed it. But if you like flavorful food, just be prepared to add some more spices!
Would this be a zero point snack on the WW freestyle program?
You’d have to consult the program for that info.
I also added cumin to have more flavor,but taco seasoning would be great too.I love it.
How many calories for the skinny southwest chicken dip
Do you happen to know how many carbs is in this and the serving size? Thanks!
This recipe looks very delicious, I will try cook this Skinny Southwest Chicken Dip to my girls tonight. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe with us.
Just made this tonight and it was very bland to me. I had to add a lot more seasoning like Mexican chili powder and chipotle seasoning. I also added avocado and cilantro to add extra flavors. Great concept since you can make it to your own taste but definitely too bland with the original recipe for me.
I just made this recipe and I agree with comments who said it was bland. It needed some more layers of flavor. Next time I make it I’m going to use drained rote tomatoes in lieu of the Roma tomatoes. I’ll also really season up my chicken. It’s a great recipe to customize and make your own.