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Home / Recipes
30 minutes
4.73 from 40 votes
59 Comments

Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 924
by: Joanna Cismaru

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.


Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad – a fresh summer salad loaded with black beans, chicken, corn and rice. Totally addicting and makes the perfect dinner for a busy weeknight.

Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad in a bowl with a fork in it

Mexican Chicken And Rice Salad

I absolutely love a good salad. One that is packed full of greens and bursting with tons of flavor. My favorite thing about salad is how much fun you can have with it, and you can have quite a bit. You can add unconventional ingredients, prepare it warm or cold, grilled or chopped. Either way you’ll be right on your way to having a flavor bomb of a dish. 

This Mexican chicken and rice salad is chock full of warm rice, tender chicken, fresh veggies, and topped with a zesty dressing. So let’s get into it!

How This Salad Came To Be

So I guess you could say I dreamt about this salad last night. I wanted to add rice because I wanted it to be more hearty, more like a meal than just a plain old salad. Then I threw in all ingredients that scream Mexican to me.

Cooked my own chicken with some taco seasoning, you could use roasted chicken breast if you want to save on time, but I love the flavor from the taco seasoning so I cooked it myself. I also added loads of cilantro. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now you probably know I used to hate cilantro. That’s changed. I now love cilantro, and you can’t have Mexican food without cilantro.

Seriously, you can’t.

Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad in the making with cilantro and lemon in the background

Ingredients In Mexican Chicken And Rice Salad

  • Chicken – I used boneless and skinless breast for this salad recipe but feel free to substitute these for chicken thighs. Just keep in mind that thighs need to cook longer.
  • Taco seasoning – I like to make things easy, you guys know that, both for myself and for all my readers! So in this recipe taco seasoning from the packet will do just fine.
  • Frozen corn – Again a quick little short cut, frozen corn will work in a pinch.
  • Rice – Cooked rice that’s been allowed to come to room temperature if you’d prefer this salad cold. I used basmati but any rice will do.
  • Veggies – Bell pepper and cherry tomatoes chopped up for our fresh component.
  • Beans – Black beans are best for this salad.
  • Herbs – Fresh cilantro and green onions, mmm!
  • Juice – If you’re making Mexican food and you don’t have limes on hand, you’re missing a major ingredient! I used both lime and lemon juice fresh squeezed.
  • Cheese – I used queso duro, a salty hard cheese that is common in Latin American dishes. It’s tasty even for nibbling on.
  • Avocado – Totally optional.
  • Salt & pepper – To taste.

Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad process shot

How To Make Mexican Chicken Rice Salad

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Season the chicken with the taco seasoning and add chicken to skillet. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes until cooked through and slightly brown. Remove chicken from skillet.
  • Cook the corn: To the same skillet add the corn and cook over high heat just until it starts to char a little bit, no more than 2 minutes.
  • Assemble the chicken and rice salad: Add all ingredients to a large bowl, season with salt and pepper and toss. Serve either warm or cold garnished with the queso and any remaining herbs.

But let’s talk about this cheese here, queso duro cheese. It’s the first time I used it. I actually bought it a while ago when I was actually looking for queso fresco and couldn’t find it but found this instead. Completely different than queso fresco though. Queso duro is a hard cheese, so you’ll have to use a grater to shred it. It’s quite salty and strong flavored and has a mild smoky taste. I love it! If you can’t find it or couldn’t be bothered with it, you could use cheddar cheese or even feta cheese would work great with this salad, or even queso fresco.

Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad in a big white bowl with a spoon in it

Tips For Making The Best Mexican Chicken And Rice Salad

  • Never heard of queso duro? It’s a great new cheese to try out that’s got a bit of smokiness to it. If you can’t find it at your grocery store opt instead for cheddar or feta cheese.
  • I like my Mexican food nice and spicy so I’ll drizzle some hot sauce over this salad when I’m in the mood for an extra kick. Fresh jalapenos can be added as well for spice fiends!
  • Prefer to make your own taco seasoning? Just combine the following spices: cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, paprika, and salt and pepper..

Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad on a platter with avocado cilantro and limes on top for garnish

Storing Leftover Chicken And Rice Salad

This recipe will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge.

Craving More Summer Salads? Try These Recipes:

  • Black Bean Corn and Avocado Salad
  • Easy Thai Steak Salad
  • Asian Chopped Chicken Salad
  • Summer Salad With Herbed Ricotta And Balsamic Vinaigrette 
  • Summer Fruit Salad With Lemon Dressing
  • Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad

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a bowl full of mexican chicken and rice salad

Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad

4.73 from 40 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
Mexican Chicken and Rice Salad - a fresh summer salad loaded with black beans, chicken, corn and rice. Totally addicting and makes the perfect dinner for a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breasts skinless and boneless, cut into small pieces
  • 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 1/2 cups rice cooked (I used basmati)
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped
  • 1 cup black beans
  • 6 green onions chopped
  • 1 cup queso duro shredded
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 avocado optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or ot taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper or to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non stick skillet over medium high heat. Season the chicken with the taco seasoning, add more if you want it spicier, and add chicken to skillet. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes until cooked through and starts to slightly brown. Remove chicken from skillet.
  • To the same skillet add the corn and cook over high heat just until it starts to char a little bit, no more than 2 minutes.
  • Add all ingredients to a large bowl, season with salt and pepper and toss. 
  • Serve either warm or cold.

Recipe Notes

If you don't have queso duro cheese, you can use cheddar cheese.
This recipe will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 528kcal (26%)Carbohydrates: 57g (19%)Protein: 28g (56%)Fat: 20g (31%)Saturated Fat: 6g (38%)Cholesterol: 68mg (23%)Sodium: 420mg (18%)Potassium: 825mg (24%)Fiber: 7g (29%)Sugar: 2g (2%)Vitamin A: 790IU (16%)Vitamin C: 33.7mg (41%)Calcium: 178mg (18%)Iron: 2.3mg (13%)
Course:Main Course
Cuisine:Mexican
Keyword:mexican, salad, summer
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 924
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Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Greg Connor says

    June 8, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    5 stars
    This was a superb salad! My wife actually ate the leftovers…..and that really really says something!! I didn’t have cilantro So I used dill, and I couldn’t find the cheese at my grocery store so I used mozzarella and pecorino romano. Also I added so e jalapeno cause I just love that little extra kick. Again this was excellent, but also all of your recipes I’ve made are.

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      June 10, 2019 at 10:24 am

      That’s so great to hear! We’re so glad you love the recipe. Dill is definitely a favorite of ours 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ian says

    June 2, 2019 at 3:12 am

    5 stars
    We made this last night & oh my god, a total flavour explosion, one of my favourite ever recipes, keep up the great work Jo, sending love from the United Kingdom xxx

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 2, 2019 at 1:42 pm

      Thanks, Ian!! Glad you enjoyed the salad!

      Reply
  3. Pamela E Lawrence says

    June 2, 2019 at 12:40 am

    I have a question. For the rice, do you start with 1 and 1/2 cups of uncooked rice or is the measurement for 1 and 1/2 cups of already cooked rice. It’s worded in a way that could mean either. It look delicious!

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      June 3, 2019 at 10:30 am

      Hi there! The recipe says cooked rice 🙂 You’re going to love this salad!

      Reply
  4. Izzy says

    May 23, 2019 at 8:32 am

    5 stars
    This sounds wonderful and exciting. I am going to triple this recipe for the volunteers who are helping rebuild our church (it burned). It will make a delightful lunch meal for them. Not too heavy.

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      May 23, 2019 at 10:22 am

      I think they’ll love it! Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
  5. Regina says

    February 4, 2019 at 1:50 am

    5 stars
    So good!!! I added half a diced red onion to help keep the avocado from turning brown. Excellent recipe for meal prep!

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      February 4, 2019 at 10:36 am

      The lime juice in the recipe will also prevent the avocado from turning brown, we’re so glad you love it!

      Reply
  6. Erin says

    November 20, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner last night and it’s the best thing I’ve made in a while. I’ve been buying precooked basmati from Costco; just sautée it with water for a few minutes. It came together so quickly. The perfect weeknight post-tennis (or workout) meal. Love your recipes!

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      November 21, 2018 at 10:47 am

      That’s so great! We love that you love this recipe 🙂

      Reply
  7. Janet says

    May 28, 2018 at 3:07 pm

    I am a little confused with some of the ingredients. What is the 2nd 2 T of oil for, to add to the pan to char the corn? Am I to assure the 1 1/2 cups of rice is the measurement before it is cooked? And, do you chop the whole green onion or just the green part? Really looking forward to making this.

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      May 28, 2018 at 5:20 pm

      Hi Janet, beside the measurement of rice in the recipe it says “cooked (I used basmati)”. For the oil, the first tbsp is to cook the chicken breasts and the last 2 tbsp is used to make the dressing for the salad. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  8. Walter says

    May 20, 2018 at 12:03 pm

    5 stars
    Incredible and Amazing is what we think. Last two dishes we tried were just not for us, although it could have been the cook… We didn’t have green peppers so used jalapeno peppers.. well, they are green. Used fresh cooked brown rice and two cups of black beans. Chicken breast was left over from grilling the night before. Tossed the hot and cold together and .. still cannot believe how great it tasted. Friends over last night and served the remainder straight from the fridge. Same results!!

    Reply
  9. Snegolenka says

    May 17, 2018 at 7:47 am

    5 stars
    I love Mexican food. This is the most daring, the most courageous cooking, I think that everyone will agree with me.
    Great salad! I’ll cook, but not now. 🙂 Now I’m on a diet, so if you recommend a good low-calorie recipes, I’ll be very grateful to you!

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      May 17, 2018 at 10:07 am

      Try some of these! https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/?fwp_type=healthy-eating

      Reply
  10. Liz S. says

    February 19, 2018 at 12:12 pm

    5 stars
    I made this today for my lunches this week. It is so good. thank you for the recipe. Pretty easy recipe too.

    Reply
    • Kateena innis says

      May 23, 2019 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      I’m trying this tomorrow!!!! Nice and amazing recipe shared by you, thank you so much for that.

      Reply
  11. Charlotte says

    November 26, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for my weeks lunches. Soo tasty! I used a brown rice / quinoa mix for the rice and added some chopped up spinach and didnt add as lemon juice or olive oil and was still super tasty without dressing. Reminded me of a pasta salad!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie says

    July 24, 2017 at 1:25 pm

    Do you have any suggestions for a side that would go well with this if this is a main meal? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      July 25, 2017 at 9:14 pm

      I would just serve this on its own because it has rice and chicken, so no other sides are really necessary.

      Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    July 5, 2017 at 9:12 am

    5 stars
    I love this recipe! I’m using it as part of my Summer Favorite Foods series on my blog. Do you mind if I use an image from your blog and link it back to you for credit?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      July 5, 2017 at 3:59 pm

      Sure, go ahead!

      Reply
  14. Maria says

    August 12, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    Thank you for this recipe; I made it once and loved it and plan on making it again tomorrow for a friend for lunch.

    Reply
  15. April says

    June 5, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    Could you chop up some romaine and add it in?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 5, 2016 at 3:31 pm

      Yeah, you could, it would give you a bit more crunchiness to it.

      Reply
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