If you’re looking for a salad that actually keeps you full, this Grilled Chicken Salad is it. Tender grilled chicken, creamy avocado, sweet grilled corn, crunchy roasted chickpeas, and queso fresco are tossed together with a zesty homemade southwest ranch dressing for a salad that’s hearty enough to be dinner.

It’s fresh, colorful, packed with protein, and loaded with bold Southwest flavors in every bite. Whether you’re meal prepping lunches or serving dinner on a warm summer night, this is one of those salads everyone gets excited to eat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t let the ingredient list fool you—everything in this southwest salad with roasted chickpeas is easy to find and worth every bite.

Roasted Chickpeas

• Chickpeas: Also called garbanzo beans, chickpeas become wonderfully crispy in the oven and add protein, fiber, and crunch to the salad.
• Olive Oil: Helps the chickpeas crisp up while adding rich flavor and helping the seasonings adhere.
• Paprika: Adds a mild smoky sweetness and beautiful color to the roasted chickpeas.
• Ground Cumin: Brings warm, earthy Southwest flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken and corn.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps season the chickpeas from the inside out.

Southwest Ranch Dressing

• Sour Cream: Creates a creamy, tangy base for the dressing.
• Mayonnaise: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, classic ranch texture.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the dressing and balances the richness with fresh acidity.
• Fresh Dill: Gives the dressing that signature ranch flavor and fresh herbaceous taste.
• Garlic Powder: Adds savory depth without overpowering the dressing.
• Chili Powder: Brings mild heat and smoky Southwest flavor.
• Taco Seasoning: Adds extra layers of spices and enhances the Southwestern flavor profile.
  • PRO TIP: This is the key to this salad!

For the Salad

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This Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe is our daughter’s favorite dinner request! And we have a shocking secret that makes them perfect! Our chicken salad sandwiches are filled with flavorful, tender, pulled chicken salad that’s made with a special method, then combined with fresh herbs and crunchy grapes stuffed between buttery, soft croissants.

We eat these delicious sandwiches year-round, but especially for a quick and easy summer dinner recipe!

After 20 years of tweaks, this Chicken Salad Sandwich is finally the best recipe ever! It’s the perfect choice for bringing the deli to your home for lunch or dinner. The flavor from that buttery croissant and soft, tender flakiness draws you in, and it only gets better with the flavorful, moist chicken and that perfect chicken salad sauce!

Ingredients

Oh, I can’t wait for you to try this recipe! It will be a staple in your house. You’ll need the following ingredients to get started:

• Chicken Breasts: Bone-in and skin-on for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Scallions: Adds subtle onion flavor to the cooking liquid.
• Black Peppercorns: For gentle warmth.
• Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base: Optional, but deepens the savory flavor.
• Salt: Seasons the poaching liquid and the chicken.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens and balances the richness.
• Grapes: Totally options, but I love the sweetness and pop of texture they add!

For the Creamy Herb Dressing

• Mayonnaise: Preferably Duke’s for richness and flavor.
• Sour Cream: Adds tang and lightens the dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Brings a subtle sharpness.
• Fresh Tarragon: The star herb with a delicate, slightly sweet flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds freshness and color.
• Fresh Chives: Mild onion flavor that complements the herbs.
• Fresh Dill: Light and aromatic.
• Salt and Ground Black Pepper: To taste.

For Serving

• Croissants: Buttery and fresh, perfect for sandwiches. We also love a yummy nutty wheat for this recipe.

I’ve found it’s best to make the chicken