I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for this week for four whole months…we are finally moving into our dream house this week!
Because we had such a long closing date on our house, and haven’t set foot in it since March, it almost feels like a dream that we even bought it. I’ve been looking over the house brochures from when we viewed it last, and reminding myself that it wasn’t a dream, this is real life and this is going to be our forever home.
I’ve been telling Ben for months that I will finally breathe a sigh of relief when all of the paperwork is done and we are sitting in our new home. I get happy just thinking about it!
And I think a perfect dinner for our new house could be this southwestern chopped chicken salad, which also happens to be perfect for moving since it can be made ahead. Because after moving boxes all day, who has the energy to cook up a big dinner?
Today’s post is in partnership with Litehouse Foods, whose Homestyle Ranch Dressing absolutely makes this southwestern chopped chicken salad.
Ben and I are huge Litehouse Caesar Dressing fans, but after tasting the Homestyle Ranch, neither of us could actually decide which is our favourite. They are both creamy and so packed with flavour– the perfect dressings to stash in your fridge and jazz up a side salad, use as dip for veggies, drizzle on roasted veggies etc.
And for this recipe, the Homestyle Ranch Dressing is the absolute perfect compliment to the southwestern flavours of the chicken and all the veggies in this salad. Also the tortilla strips!
Don’t forget to pin this recipe to save it for later!
To make this southwestern chopped chicken salad meal preppable (is that a verb? I say so!), simply keep the dressing and tortilla strips off until you’re ready to serve. This way, it will keep up to 4 days in the fridge.
You could bring the whole jar of dressing with you to work, although I’d make sure to label it because your co-workers might get into it 😉
It is a filling but light salad that will get you excited for lunch hour, and keep you away from the food court.
You can find Litehouse products in the refrigerated area in the produce section of your grocery store…cold is where it’s sold!
Thank you Litehouse for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions remain my own.
Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped this Southwestern chopped chicken salad. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook.
Tips for your perfect Southwestern chopped chicken salad:
- keep the ranch dressing and tortilla strips separate until just prior to serving
- this creamy cilantro lime dressing would also be great!
- for little variation, you could serve these in pita pockets or in a tortilla (you may need to reduce the serving size slightly)
- these are my favourite meal prep containers
- for more meal prep salad ideas, check out these Meal Prep Chopped Chickpea Salads and these Mix & Match Meal Prep Burrito Bowls (Vegan & Gluten Free)
Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad (Meal Prep)
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large chicken breasts 12-14 oz
Salad
- 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup red onions chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup corn kernels drained and rinsed
- 19 oz can of black beans drained & rinsed
To Serve
- Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing roughly 1/2 cup; 2 tablespoons per lunch bowl
- 1/2 cup tortilla strips
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°.
- Mix together all spices.
- Place chicken breasts in a small baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with spice mixture, turn chicken over and sprinkle the other side until coated.
- Bake in the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes, flip, and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until cooked through.
- Allow to rest at least 10 minutes before chopping into cubes.
- Divide all salad ingredients amongst four meal prep containers (2 cup capacity). Top with chicken.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To ServeDump the contents out into a large bowl, toss with roughly 2 tablespoons of Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing, and sprinkle with tortilla strips.
Notes
Calories 463 // Fat 19 g // Saturated Fat 2 g // Cholesterol 65 mg // Sodium 712 mg // Carbohydrate 41 g // Fiber 12 g // Sugars 7 g // Protein 31 g
Karen
Cooked this up for dinner and totally enjoyed it. The combined flavours and textures were delicious, and so easy to put together! Will definitely make it again!
Denise
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed, Karen! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Clea
Is the salad dressing sold at Walmart?
Denise
I was able to find it on the Walmart website so I think it is!
Auntie Em
I love most of the Lighthouse dressings, but the Homestyle Ranch is one of my favorites. For something like this, though, I’d probably use their Jalapeno Ranch for a spicy kick!
Denise
Ooh that sounds delicious!!
Adriana
This is buy far the yummiest salad I have ever made. Ate it for lunch all week. So good.
Denise
Wow, what a HUGE compliment! Thanks so much Adriana!
Cassandra Tso
I am definitely Team Caesar!
Laurie P
Definitely Team Caesar here!
Trudy
Team Ranch, of course.
Suzie B
I am team Ranch for sure! 🙂
Lisa L
No doubt, Team Ranch for me!
linda
Team Ranch for me!
lisa bolduc
we are big time ranch in our house
Carey Hurst
I am team Team Caesar when it comes to Litehouse dressing no competition
Robyn Bellefleur
I am Team Homestyle Ranch.
Julie bolduc
Team ranch I think I’m going to make this tonight it looks do good
Jenn Erin
Yum, I’d love to try this recipe especially since I’m Team Homestyle Ranch!
Michelle W
This looks delicious! I’m Team Caesar!
Amy Heffernan
Team Homestyle Ranch! Ranch is AWESOME on salads to dip wings in. AHHH I am addicted.
Thanks
Email–> amyjaneheffernan@gmail.com
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard
we love both but if we have to decide . . . . team ranch for us
Courtney
I’m team ranch all the way! Thanks for the recipe!
Jenny B
I am Team Homestyle Ranch because I feel it’s a bit more versatile!
Christy E
I am Team Caesar – and this recipe looks yummy! thanks
Andrea Amy
I’m actually Team Blue Cheese, but given the choices I would pick Team Homestyle Ranch! Thanks!
Carole D
I am a Team Caesar! I use it as a dip too! Thank you for sharing your recipe! Looks delicious will try it with team Caesar!
Josh S
Great! I am Team Homestyle Ranch. Thanks!
Alison Braidwood
I am Team Caesar occasionally. But on a day-to-day basis, I’m Team Ranch.
Maritess
I love Ranch but I must admit I am Team Ceasar.
Juliee Fitze
I’m on Team Caesar. Love using it as a dip.
Carol M
Team Caesar, but I could be convinced to go to the other side.
Bruke B
I’m team Ranch all the way
Francine
I’ve been on Team Caesar, but you might have persuaded me to join Team Homestyle Ranch
Katrina
Team Caesar all the way
Jonnie
I am Team Caesar
lynn clayton
RANCH ALL THE WAY
ivy pluchinsky
It’s a tough decision but I am going to go with Team Homestyle Ranch!
Tainan Lu
It looks delicious. I’m on Team Homestyle Ranch!
Maureen
YUMMY! and oh so easy……only thing I left out was red onions (‘cos I packed it for work) bell peppers and tortilla strips (didn’t have any on hand). Just wondering what other dressing would you suggest?
Denise
Hi Maureen, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I think it would also be great with Litehouse Caesar dressing, or you could try a vinaigrette like the one in this recipe: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/2016/09/southwestern-sweet-potato-lentil-jar-salads.html
Sandra Roggero
Yummy! Can’t wait to try the recipe as a meal prep for the week.
Denise
I hope you enjoy, Sandra!