Creating the perfect Southwest Chicken Salad involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Cook the Chicken:
– Season chicken breasts with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
– Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes on each side until fully cooked.

2. Rest and Slice:
– Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then slice into thin strips.

3. Prepare the Salad Base:
– In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, avocado, cheese, red onion, and cilantro.

4. Add the Chicken:
– Toss the sliced chicken strips into the salad mixture.

5. Dress the Salad:
– Squeeze lime juice over the salad and drizzle with ranch or chipotle dressing to taste. Toss to combine and coat evenly.

6. Serve Immediately:
– Enjoy your Southwest Chicken Salad fresh, or refrigerate if you’re preparing it for later.