15 Delicious Southwestern Recipes

Southwestern recipes are a fun way to keep your meal plan interesting and delicious. These flavors are vibrant, earthy, spicy (sometimes), and a great way to make sure everyone loves what they are eating. From dip to chili and soup, these fifteen southwestern recipes give you some new and tasty ways to get a meal on the table. The ingredients are easy to find in most grocery stores and you might even have a lot of the ingredients in your kitchen already. Put a little southwestern flair in your meal tonight.

1. Southwestern Turkey Chili

A closeup of a white bowl filled with southwestern turkey chili.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This Southwestern turkey chili is a bowl of pure comfort with a hint of smokiness and a touch of heat. Top it off with a dollop of creamy sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, and a handful of fresh cilantro for the ultimate chili experience.

2. Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake

A plate with a serving of fiesta chicken pasta casserole with a slice of garlic bread on the side.
Photo Credit: XOXO Bella.

Make your dinner a fiesta with this tasty chicken pasta casserole bake. It’s perfect for using up rotisserie chicken. It’s cooked in a creamy, cheesy sauce with corn, black beans, and pasta. Serve it with a side of garlic bread and a green salad to round out the meal.

3. Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl

An overhead view of hands holding a bowl of southwest chicken rice.
Photo Credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

Each bite of this Southwest chicken rice bowl is loaded with sweet, savory, and fiery flavors—exactly what you want in a Southwestern-inspired meal. It’s quick and easy to pull together, but it doesn’t skimp on the comfort factor we all love in a good rice bowl.

4. Southwestern Butternut Squash Soup

A black crock filled with southwestern butternut squash soup.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Indulge in a bowl of cozy comfort with this Southwestern butternut squash soup. Creamy, velvety, and bursting with the flavors of the Southwest, this soup is the perfect balance of natural sweetness from the squash and savory added spices.

5. Southwest Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe

A white crock filled with Slow Cooker Southwestern Chicken, sits on a wood surface next to a white towel.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Tender chicken thighs, slow-cooked to perfection in a medley of spices, diced tomatoes, black beans, and sweet corn. This Southwest chicken crockpot recipe will transport you to the heart of Tex-Mex country. Just toss the ingredients in your slow cooker in the morning and come home to a totally satisfying and delicious dinner.

6. Barbecued Southwest Meatballs with Garlic & Lime Avocado Sauce

A white bowl sits filled with southwestern meatballs, garnished with avocado dressing. A red bell pepper sits to the right of the bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Juicy meatballs, perfectly seasoned with a blend of Southwestern spices, grilled to perfection on the barbecue, and slathered in a creamy garlic and lime avocado sauce. These barbecued southwest meatballs with garlic & lime avocado sauce will be the star of any gathering this summer. Serve it with any grains, pasta or vegetables you care to enjoy with it.

7. Crustless Quiche

Two small ramekins sit on a baking sheet. They are filled with southwestern crustless quiche.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Say goodbye to fatty crusts and hello to a lighter yet equally delicious breakfast with this Southwestern crustless quiche recipe. Without the crust, it’s gluten-free and cuts down on prep time significantly. So whip up this effortless crustless quiche, and savor a bite of pure southwestern goodness for breakfast.

8. Barbecued Southwestern Chicken And Shrimp Skillet

Barbecued Southwestern Chicken And Shrimp Skillet in a cast iron skillet on a wood surface.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Get ready for a sizzling dinner with this barbecued southwestern chicken and shrimp skillet. It’s a flavor-packed fiesta that brings together the best of both land and sea. Think of it as a southwestern surf n’ turf type of dish. Serve this with a side of rice and some beans.

9. Southwestern Quinoa Bowl

An overhead view of a white bowl filled with quinoa, avocado chunks, black beans, tomatoes, olives and red peppers.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Protein-rich quinoa is a hearty base for a medley of fresh and colorful ingredients that will put a smile on your face. This Southwestern quinoa bowl not only satisfies your hunger but also nourishes your body with wholesome ingredients.

10. Southwest Black Bean Dip

A closeup of a white ramekin filled with southwest black bean dip. A corn chip sits in the dip.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Creamy black beans are the star of the show, combined with chunky corn, smoky cumin, and a kick of salsa for that extra punch. The creamy texture, bold spices, and satisfying beans make this Southwest black bean dip the ultimate dip to spice up any occasion.

11. Southwest Breakfast Quiches

Southwestern breakfast muffins lined up on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: Vova Shevchuk/Shutterstock.

These savory Southwest breakfast quiches are loaded with a combination of ingredients that create a perfect southwestern flavor. Grab a muffin, savor the Southwestern goodness, and kick-start your day with a tasty twist.

12. Southwest Salad

homemade fresh organic chicken chipotle black bean salad bowl horizontal shot
Photo Credit: Vezzani Photography/Shutterstock.

Tender grilled chicken breast and crisp red peppers come together in this satisfying salad. Grab a fork, embrace the Southwest vibes, and enjoy a refreshing and satisfying Southwestern chicken salad that will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on the rest of your day. Serve with corn chips.

13. Two-Ingredient Instant Pot Shredded Beef for Tacos

Three tacos lined up on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Healy Eats Real.

If tacos are what you love, try this 2-ingredient Instant Pot shredded beef for tacos. You’ll have dinner on the table in no time, and nobody will argue or fuss. While the beef cooks, you can prep all the other taco ingredients without having to mind the stove. It’s a fast and easy way to make everybody happy.

14. Southwestern Salad

An overhead view of two bowls filled with southwestern salads.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Need something for lunch? Try this Southwestern salad recipe for a delicious bowl of goodness you’ll want to eat again and again. It’s hearty, filling, and the flavors are wonderful. Corn kernels, fresh tomatoes and tender, glazed chicken breast all add up to a fantastic lunch or dinner.

15. Vegan White Chili

An overhead view of a red crock filled with vegan white chili.
Photo Credit: My Pure Plants.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pot vegan white chili is simple to make, easy to customize, and delicious. Serve it with corn chips and some guacamole on the side. Garnish with any of your favorite toppings.

More From The Gracious Pantry

A dutch oven with a cooked whole chicken topped with rosemary twigs.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Need more dinner ideas? These can help. Chicken and turkey are very versatile foods that can be used to create an unlimited number of dinners. Here are 118 ideas to get you started.

Author: Tiffany McCauley

Title: Food and Travel Journalist

Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

Bio:

Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated journalist and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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