Copycat McDonald’s Southwest Salad Recipe

This McDonald’s Southwest Salad is a delicious copycat, right down to the homemade southwest salad dressing and healthier crispy chicken! 

It’s packed with fresh greens, black beans, corn, and a zesty kick of flavour that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Say goodbye to drive-thru lines and hello to a wholesome homemade salad!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Healthier version: Enjoy all the flavors of the original with baked crispy chicken and homemade dressing.
• Packed with flavour: Zesty, creamy, and full of fresh ingredients like black beans, corn, and greens.
• Budget-friendly: Skip the drive-thru and make it at home for a fraction of the cost.
• Customizable: Swap out ingredients or adjust the spice level to suit your preferences.
• Meal prep-friendly: Make it ahead for quick and easy lunches or dinners during the week.

If you love the flavours of this recipe, then you’ve got to try my Southwest Chicken Wraps!

Ingredients and substitutions

• Chicken tenders – you can also slice up some chicken cutlets or boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
• Eggs – you can leave out the egg but the breadcrumbs might not stay on as well.
• Panko breadcrumbs – double up on the regular breadcrumbs or try using tempura, unsweetened corn flakes or crushed potato chips.
• Regular breadcrumbs – double up on the Panko or try using tempura, unsweetened corn flakes or crushed potato chips.
• Cooking spray – the cooking spray prevents the chicken from sticking to the pan. Using a non-stick pan would also work.

Salad toppings

• Romaine lettuce – or another leafy green of your choice like bibb lettuce or iceberg lettuce.
• Black beans – chickpeas or kidney peas would also be good in this salad.
• Corn – swap this out for another vegetable of your choice.
• Tomatoes – try using bell peppers or another veggie.
• Shredded cheddar cheese – feel free to use your favourite shredded cheese blend like Tex Mex, Monterey Jack or mozzarella.
• Tortilla strips – make your own or use a store-bought variety.
• Cilantro – leave the cilantro off altogether if you don’t like cilantro or don’t have any on hand.

Southwest salad dressing

• Sour cream – plain Greek yogurt or a dairy-free substitute would also work here.
• Lime juice – fresh lime juice is best but bottled lime juice or even lemon juice will work in a pinch.
• Paprika – chili powder will provide the same amount of kick.
• Onion powder – onion flakes would also work in this salad dressing.
• Cumin – coriander is the best substitute for cumin.
• Chili flakes – leave these out altogether if you don’t like a lot of spice.

How to make this recipe

Step 1: Bread the chicken.

Bread the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with egg wash, and breadcrumbs.

Step 2: Bake the chicken.

Arrange the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake.

Step 3: Mix the salad dressing.

Combine all the salad dressing ingredients. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well combined and slightly thickened.

Step 4: Chop the chicken and assemble the rest of your ingredients.

Cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and arrange it over the salad ingredients then serve.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this gluten-free or low-carb?

While the original McDonald’s salad is not gluten-free, this recipe can be adapted for that diet. Breadcrumbs and panko both include wheat flour, but there are gluten-free breadcrumbs on the market or you can use grilled chicken instead of breaded. Tortilla strips are usually made of corn, so you can still enjoy them in the gluten-free version of this salad, but leave them out if you’re looking to go low carb. You’ll also want to leave out the black beans and corn as they are higher in carbs.

What is southwest salad dressing made of?

The southwest salad dressing that McDonald’s uses is Newman’s Own Southwest. My version uses a homemade smoky southwest dressing made with mostly pantry staples, but if you’re in a hurry, you can grab a bottle of the Newman’s dressing at most grocery stores.

How many calories are in this McDonald’s salad?

This McDonald’s menu salad should be a healthier menu option, but the McDonald’s version contains 520 calories and 39% of your daily recommended fat intake. It does contain plenty of protein, but also more carbs than you may want to consume due to the breading on the chicken. My version has less calories at just 431 calories per serving and is a lot healthier since it uses whole ingredients, less salt and homemade southwest salad dressing with fewer preservatives.

What to serve with this dish

These sides help round out your meal, making the Southwest Salad even more satisfying!

• Soup: A tomato soup or black bean soup would make a satisfying pairing.
• Sweet Potato Fries: Check out my healthy air-fryer version!
• Cornbread: A buttery slice of cornbread adds a Southern twist.
• Quesadilla: A cheesy quesadilla with salsa or guacamole on the side will make a delicious combo.

How to store and reheat

Store: Layer salad components in mason jars, placing chicken at the bottom and keeping tortilla strips and dressing separate. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Freeze & reheat: It’s not a good idea to freeze the salad. But, you can freeze the cooked chicken separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave. Add the warm chicken to a fresh salad and you’re good to go.

Meal prep tools for this recipe

• Grab some bento box meal prep bowls to separate the ingredients and enjoy this salad for work week lunches.
• You can also grab some mason jars to layer the lettuce at the top so it doesn’t get soggy.
• I get all my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
• Get a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through.