copycat mcdonalds southwest salad

Lunch

Copycat McDonalds Southwest Salad

If you were a fan of the McDonald's Southwest Salad before it left the menu, this copycat recipe brings it all back with a few healthy twists. The creamy dressing keeps saturated fat and calories in check with reduced-fat sour cream combined with salsa to give it its signature spice. We loaded it up with plenty of veggies, but feel free to give it your own spin with chopped avocado or crushed tortilla chips for crunch. (Editor's note: The title of this recipe does not align with EatingWell's practices for naming and attributing recipes but gives proper credit to McDonald's menu, which called this dish "Southwest Salad.")

Ingredients

½ cup reduced-fat sour cream
3 tablespoons salsa
1 tablespoon lime juice
¾ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed
⅓ cup slivered red onion
¼ cup shredded colby jack cheese
lime wedges for serving (optional)

Directions

Whisk sour cream, salsa, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.
Add lettuce, tomatoes, chicken, corn, black beans and onion; toss to coat well. Divide among 4 plates and sprinkle with cheese. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.