When I go to McDonald’s, I usually avoid the burgers and fries, as I have been keeping up with my New Year’s resolutions to eat healthy. I was therefore, pleased to find an assortment of tasty salads. McDonald’s salads come in several varieties including Southwest Salad, Asian Salad, Bacon Ranch Salad, Caesar Salad, and their side salad. The McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad (with crispy chicken) has become one of my favorite healthy, but filling lunch options.
McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad: Price
One McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad costs $4.94 at any McDonald’s throughout the New York metro region. Prices do tend to be a little higher at rest areas and popular tourist locations, but even then the price was more reasonable than tends to be at other delis in New York. Considering the reasonable price, the portions were very generous!
McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad: Ingredients and Nutritional Information
Although McDonald’s is not known for its healthy dining options, I like the fact that the restaurant offers a list of ingredients and nutritional information for all its food items.
The McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad contains Southwest style crispy chicken breast filet (breaded and cooked in vegetable oil), salad mix (different kinds of lettuce and carrots), southwest vegetable blend (corn, black beans, roasted tomato, poblano pepper, lime juice, and cilantro), Cilantro Lime Glaze, shredded cheddar jack cheese, and a lime wedge.
The McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad provides a relatively nutritious meal. The McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad (with crispy chicken) contains 430 calories, 20 grams of fat (4 grams of saturated fat), 55 mg of cholesterol, 920 mg of sodium, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber (probably from the lettuce, carrots, and corn), 12 grams of sugar (probably from the cilantro lime glaze), and 26 grams of protein (from the chicken). The McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad also offers a whopping 130 percent of your daily required intake of Vitamin A, 50 percent of Vitamin C, and 15 percent of Calcium and Iron. If you are watching calories, you can order the grilled instead of the crispy chicken, you can save 120 calories and 11 grams of fat.
The creamy southwest dressing that comes with the McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad adds an extra 100 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 340 mg of sodium. I usually just skip the dressing. The Cilantro Lime Glaze and lime wedge are usually enough to provide extra flavor to the meal.
McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad: Taste and Quality
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad. The lettuce was crispy and fresh. The carrots and corn were also fresh and flavorful. The chicken was warm, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The mix of lettuce, corn, cheese, meat, and cilantro flavor provided textural contrast to the salad and made for a balanced meal.
McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad provides a tasty, reasonably priced, nutritionally balanced meal. McDonald’s is really improving in its ability to provide healthy dining options.
