This Southwest Avocado Hen Salad is a simple, home made salad that is like a leveled up copycat Wendy’s Southwest salad. It is stuffed with scrumptious taste and enjoyable toppings – a balanced, satisfying salad the entire household can take pleasure in!

If I have to seize one thing to eat once I’m out and about away from residence, considered one of my favourite quick meals choices is the Wendy’s Southwest salad. It is nonetheless quick meals, after all, however so far as quick meals goes, it checks off lots of my preferences for a balanced meal! The salad with out the dressing is 420 energy (570 energy with the dressing), has a whopping 39 grams of protein (stellar, for quick meals!) and 6 grams of fiber (additionally fairly nice for quick meals!).

I like that salad a lot I made a decision it was time to provide you with my very own impressed salad at residence! And it hits the spot! It has all the things the Wendy’s Southwest salad has (together with a a lot lighter home made Southwest salad dressing), with the addition of some cucumbers for a bit extra crunch and extra greens, and black beans, for an additional increase of fiber – useful for blood sugar management, digestion, and coronary heart well being!

Table of Contents

Why You may Love This Southwest Avocado Hen Salad

It tastes like your favourite Wendy’s Southwest salad!
It is a good way to make use of leftover grilled hen, and even rotisserie hen for those who’re in a pinch!
Probably the most concerned prep is making the short guacamole (simply avocado, lime, and salt) and assembling the salad itself.
It is a dietary powerhouse of a meal, with a stability of all three macronutrients, fiber, and many nutritional vitamins and minerals.

Recipe Substances

You may want the next elements to make this recipe:

Salad greens: I really like utilizing a butter lettuce and leaf lettuce mix right here, however you need to use no matter lettuce you like or have available. I’ve used romaine earlier than, too!
Cooked Hen: you need to use no matter hen you like – even one thing like leftover grilled hen, salsa hen, or rotisserie hen works!
Black beans: whereas not true to the Wendy’s Southwest salad, I really like the flavour and diet this ingredient provides – it actually amps up the fiber and provides extra protein, too!
Pepper Jack cheese: provides a bit zest with out going overboard with the spice
Guacamole: whip up a fast little cheater guacamole with simply avocado, lime, and salt
Cooked Bacon: it is on the unique Wendy’s Southwest salad, and never gonna lie – it is scrumptious!
Tomatoes: provides some diet and a bit extra southwestern aptitude and freshness
Cucumbers: not true to the unique impressed by salad, however they add a deliciously contemporary, crisp texture and a bit extra diet as nicely.

Methods to Make Southwest Avocado Hen Salad Step-by-Step

First, prep the simple guacamole: utilizing a fork, mash the avocado (pitted and peeled), lime juice, and a beneficiant pinch of salt to style.
Assemble the salad! Create a base of the lettuce and prime with all of the number of toppings.
If desired, make and serve with Southwest Salad Dressing.

Methods to Make it an Precise Wendy’s Southwest Salad Copycat

This salad relies very a lot on the Wendy’s Southwest Salad, with a pair further elements added out of desire and for extra diet.

In case you are craving extra of the unique Wendy’s model, simply omit cucumbers black beans. And as an alternative of utilizing my lighter Southwest salad dressing, you’ll be able to verify your native shops for the precise salad dressing Wendy’s makes use of: Marzetti® Merely Dressed Southwest Ranch Dressing.

Methods to Make it Forward

One meal prep possibility is to have all the things prepared prematurely: ensure you have cooked hen, bacon, go forward and chop your greens, make your salad dressing, and rinse and drain your beans. This feature works nice for those who’re including this salad to your dinner menu rotation and wish dinner on the desk in below 5 minutes.

Another choice is to prep the salads themselves. Use a big, wide-mouthed quart mason jar. Begin with dressing on the underside, then add your hen, black beans, bacon, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, and lettuce on prime (in that order). This can be a nice possibility in order for you a salad you’ll be able to meal prep and grab-and-go to take to work – simply carry an enormous bowl and a fork you can dump it into. It will last as long as 3 days prematurely.

Substitutions & Variations

For a store-bought salad dressing, attempt Bolthouse Salad Dressing’s Salsa Ranch or Marzetti Merely Dressed Southwest Ranch Dressing.
Use shredded salsa hen or leftover rotisserie hen for simple choices.
Sub crispy tofu, carnitas, or some other protein you like.
Craving one thing extra handheld? Take the identical elements and stuff them right into a wrap or pita! (You may possible want smaller ingredient quantities to suit.)
Retailer-bought guac is completely effective, too!
Be happy to make use of turkey bacon if that is your desire (I really like how crispy Air Fryer Turkey Bacon seems!)

Is that this Copycat Wendy’s Southwest Salad Wholesome?

It relies upon! Wholesome would not have an actual black-and-white definition, but it surely’s one thing that is influenced by lots, the sum of many selections. However in the case of meals and your general consuming sample, sure – this salad can completely match right into a wholesome, balanced weight-reduction plan! And it is a balanced meal in and of itself, too.

It is excessive in protein, making it helpful for muscle restoration and satiety. The entire greens, avocado, and black beans make it a excessive fiber selection as nicely. Fiber performs many helpful roles within the physique, together with serving to preserve your blood sugar regular. The fats within the salad helps with that, too!

Different Associated Salad Recipes You may Love

Honey Mustard Hen Salad
Greek Lentil Salad
Recent Beetroot Salad
Winter Kale Salad with Cranberry Dressing
Mango Hen Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Cucumber Chickpea Salad

Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ score beneath! For extra wholesome recipes and tricks to create your individual balanced relationship with meals and well being, remember to comply with Diet to Match on Instagram!