Healthy BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (Printable Version)
Vibrant salad with grilled BBQ chicken, crisp vegetables, and tangy homemade dressing
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (gluten-free if needed)
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Vegetables
05 - 5 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
08 - 1 cup canned sweet corn, drained
09 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
10 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
11 - 1 avocado, diced
12 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Dressing
13 - 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)
14 - 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
15 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
16 - 1 tablespoon honey
17 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
19 - 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Brush with barbecue sauce on both sides.
03 - Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, basting with more barbecue sauce, until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, barbecue sauce, lime juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.
06 - Add chopped grilled chicken to the salad and toss gently to combine.
07 - Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, if using. Serve immediately.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- The combination of warm grilled chicken and cool crisp vegetables creates the most satisfying texture contrast
- You get all those smoky barbecue flavors without the heaviness of traditional BBQ sides
02 -
- The chicken needs to rest before chopping or all those juices will run out onto your cutting board
- Wait to dress the salad until right before serving or the lettuce will become soggy
03 -
- Brush extra barbecue sauce on the chicken during the last minute of grilling for maximum flavor
- Toast some tortilla strips or pumpkin seeds for the perfect crunch on top