An easy Southwest Chicken Salad recipe with a zesty Cilantro Lime Dressing. This veggie and protein packed mason jar salad is the perfect meal prep for the week – it only takes 30 minutes!

An Easy Mason Jar Chicken Salad Recipe

This Monday was flippin awesome! And it was a Monday, that like never happens! Woohoo!

I think a lot of it had to do with what I was able to accomplish that day. I had a laundry list of recipes I wanted to make and I have really been trying to be more active on my Instagram stories. Monday, I was able to make AND photograph 5 recipes and was even able to take you along on the journey through my stories.

Let’s just say that at the end of the day. I sat down and enjoyed that Nutella Lava Cake I made and ate every last bite because I deserved it.

 

All that to say, I have a slew of yummy recipes that I just know you are going to love. And they are all being posted in January! Lucky you! 🙂

process of making layers for the Mason Jar Southwest Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

Today we are talking all about Mason Jar Salads and how perfect this Southwest Chicken Salad recipe is.

 

How to Make a Mason Jar Chicken Salad:
Yes, there is an art to the layering a mason jar salad so your salad does not get soggy. I use a 32 oz mason jar for my salads.

First Layer: dressing or oil & vinegar
Second Layer: non absorbent veggies (tomatoes, beans, carrots, chickpeas, edamame, etc)
Third Layer: absorbent veggies (avocado, corn, cucumber, onions, peppers and grains)
Fourth Layer: Greens (kale, lettuce, mixed greens, spinach, etc)
Fifth Layer: Garnish and Protein (chicken, salmon, shrimp, cashews, almonds, pecans, etc.)

putting rotisserie chicken on top of Mason Jar Southwest Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
How Long Does This Mason Jar Chicken Salad Last?
If a mason jar salad is packed properly and stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator it will last up to 3 days without getting soggy.

 

How to Serve Mason Jar Chicken Salad:
A mason jar salad is easy to serve, just dump the contents out into a large bowl. Toss the ingredients to coat everything with the dressing. Serve immediately.

two hands holding a Mason Jar filled with Southwest Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

Two things stick out to me with this Southwest Chicken Salad. The roasted corn pepper relish and the cilantro lime dressing. Both of them are packed with flavor, color and nutrients. When you dump the contents of this salad out and toss it all together it becomes magical! Everything just blends together perfectly!

 

I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but oh my goodness. I rocked this one. You have GOT to put it on your must make this. It takes 30 minutes to come together and then you have 3 lunches for the week that are already prepped! Taking meal prep to a whole new level!

After you try it, let me know what other mason jar salads you’d like me to make!

Bon Appetit friends!