Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad

Teresa Ambra
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I have an outstanding Tex-Mex salad recipe for you today. Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad is a layered salad with lots of veggies, along with cornbread and Spicy Ranch Dressing. This particular salad does not include lettuce, but there is still plenty of protein and other goodies to make it lip-smacking good!

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Last August, our community group got together after being off most of the summer. The hostess wanted everyone to bring salads since we were in the dog-days of a Texas summer. I wanted to bring a couple of new salads, so I tried this salad along with a Watermelon Feta Salad. Everyone loved both salads. I had a couple of servings of each!

I made the cornbread by following the directions from a Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix. I actually baked the muffins the day before so they could be dry for making the salad. The chicken was leftover from grilling chicken earlier that week. Basically, you put all the veggies in between two layers of cornbread and Spicy Ranch Dressing. Mouthwatering doesn’t do justice to how wonderful this salad turned out.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad is great to make for family dinners or company whether for lunch or dinner. Serve it with grilled meat if you desire, but it’s perfect as a main dish meal during hot, summer days. If you have a potluck coming up, bring this salad! Everyone will be scooping up large portions, and you’ll go home with an empty bowl. 🙂

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad is filled with delightful Tex-Mex flavor!

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

This festive and elegant salad is marvelous for company dinners.

It’s really pretty prepared in trifle dishes, or parfait cups.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

This salad has a lot of protein since it includes chicken, beans, and cheddar cheese.

Here’s what I did.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

I used these ingredients for the cornbread.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Pour Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix into a small mixing bowl. Add egg and milk.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Whisk ingredients to combine.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Spoon mixture into a greased six-tin muffin pan or dish.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Bake muffins at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

After the corn muffins cool, remove from muffin pan and set out on counter to dry. I did this the night before.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Crumble the muffins into crumbs and set aside.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

I used these ingredients to make the salad.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Place half of the cornbread crumbs into a salad bowl or dish.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add olives.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add pinto beans.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add corn.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add one-half cup of Spicy Ranch Dressing.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add bell peppers (use assorted colors).

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add shredded chicken.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add diced red onion.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add diced tomatoes.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add remaining cornbread crumbs.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add the remaining amount of Spicy Ranch Dressing (1/2 cup).

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Add shredded Cheddar Cheese.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

I garnished the salad with sliced tomatoes.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad was delicious even a day or two later!

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

The Spicy Ranch Dressing makes this salad irresistible. It’s so much better than plain Ranch Dressing.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Every bite was incredibly delicious.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad is a keeper! Everyone loved the tastes and textures of this marvelous salad.

Here’s the recipe.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN AND CORNBREAD SALAD

(Recipe adapted from CooksRecipes.com; recipe source: Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing/The Chlorox Corporation)

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad

Teresa Ambra
Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad is a delicious Tex-Mex salad that's sure to please. Spicy Ranch Dressing and crumbled cornbread provide fantastic flavor and texture to this elegant and beautiful salad. It's great to make up for special occasions and company, but it also makes for a delightful summer main dish when it's too hot to heat up the kitchen. If Tex-Mex style pleases your palate, you'll enjoy every bite of this fabulous salad.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Chicken, Salad and Salad Dressing
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 12
Calories 338 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 6-tin muffin pan
  • 1 medium mixing bowl
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 trifle dish or glass bowl or parfait dishes
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
  • measuring cups

Ingredients
  

CORNBREAD MUFFINS:

  • 8.5 oz. box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half or milk
  • 1 large egg

SALAD:

  • 1 cup Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch Dressing divided use
  • cornbread muffins very dry, coarsely crumbled (the Jiffy package makes 6 muffins)
  • 2 1/4 oz. can ripe olives sliced and drained
  • 16 oz. can pinto beans rinsed and drained
  • 11 oz. can whole kernel corn drained
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced (assorted colors)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
  • 1/2 cup red onion diced
  • 1 cup tomatoes seeded and diced (about 2 medium tomatoes)
  • 1/2 cup sharp Cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions
 

CORNBREAD MUFFINS:

  • Whisk ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Pour mixture into six greased regular-size muffin tins, filling each about 2/3 full.
  • Bake at 400º for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Allow muffins to cool completely before removing from muffin pan.
  • Use in recipe as directed below.

SALAD:

  • In a large clear salad bowl or trifle dish, layer half of the cornbread.
  • Top with olives, then pinto beans, then corn.
  • Spread with 1/2 cup of the Spicy Ranch salad dressing.
  • Sprinkle with diced assorted bell peppers.
  • Spread shredded chicken over top.
  • Top with diced red onion and then seeded tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle remaining cornbread over all.
  • Top with remaining 1/2 cup Spicy Ranch Dressing.
  • Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese.
  • Cover and refrigerate several hours.
  • If desired, garnish with additional tomatoes and/or green onions on top.

Notes

NOTE: I baked the cornbread muffins a day in advance of making the salad so the muffins could dry out a little.
 
Recipe adapted from Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 338kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 14gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 560mgPotassium: 382mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 579IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cheddar cheese, chicken, cornbread, olives, pinto beans, salad, spicy ranch dressing, tomatoes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

The presentation on this Tex-Mex Salad is festive and beautiful.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

If you enjoy Tex-Mex flavors, you’ll love this salad–especially in the summer when it can serve as a main dish entree.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

Cornbread crumbs, shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, veggies and a Spicy Ranch Dressing come together in a fantastic Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad.

Southwestern Chicken and Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #TexMex #salad includes #chicken, #cornbread, #beans, #corn, #tomatoes & #olives & #SpicyRanchDressing. It's a great salad to serve as a #MainDish during the hot days of summer. This scrumptious #recipe is delightful for company gatherings & potlucks. #HiddenValley #SouthwesternChickenAndCornbreadSalad

I loved this stuff!

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