Chicken Black Bean Salad (Healthy but Actually Filling)
Servings: people
This Chicken Black Bean Salad is a fresh, protein-rich meal packed with wholesome ingredients, crisp vegetables, and bold cilantro lime flavor. Perfect for healthy lunches, easy dinners, and meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast sliced into bite-size pieces
- 1 can black beans 15 oz / 400 g – drained and rinsed – or 1½ cups cooked black beans
- 1 cup corn fresh, canned, frozen
- 1 cup red bell pepper diced
- ½ red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin optional, but recommended
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ - 1 teaspoon salt or to taste + black pepper
Dressing
- ¾ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon mustard yellow or Dijon
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Add ¾ cup fresh cilantro, 4 tablespoons lime juice, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon mustard, and ½ teaspoon salt to a medium bowl or blender. Whisk or blend until combined.
- Marinate the beans: Drain and rinse 1 can black beans. Add them to the dressing and toss gently. Let sit while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Cook the chicken and corn: Slice 1 pound chicken breast into bite-size pieces. Season with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ - 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper.Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and lightly golden.Add 1 cup corn and cook 2 more minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before adding to the salad.
- Assemble the salad: To a large bowl, add 1 cup red bell pepper, ½ red onion, the chicken and corn mixture, marinated black beans with all the dressing, and ½ cup feta cheese.Mix gently until combined. Taste and adjust salt and lime juice as needed.Serve right away or chill for 30 minutes before serving. Great for meal prep.
Notes
Substitutions
- Chicken breast → Rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken thighs, turkey breast, or baked tofu
- Black beans → Pinto beans, kidney beans, or white beans
- Corn → Fresh, canned, frozen, or grilled corn
- Red bell pepper → Orange or yellow bell peppers
- Red onion → Green onions, shallots, or pickled onions
- Feta cheese → Cotija, queso fresco, goat cheese, or diced avocado
- Extra virgin olive oil → Avocado oil
- Smoked paprika and cumin → Chili powder or taco seasoning
- Garlic powder → Fresh garlic
- Fresh cilantro and lime juice → Parsley or lemon juice
- Honey and mustard → Maple syrup instead of honey
