Healthy BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (Print Version)
Protein-packed salad with grilled BBQ chicken, crisp vegetables, and tangy homemade dressing for a satisfying meal.
# What You 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:
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. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
07 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, if using. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything happens in about 35 minutes start to finish
- The barbecue sauce adds a smoky sweetness that makes vegetables feel exciting
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest before chopping prevents all those delicious juices from running out onto your cutting board
- The dressing tastes significantly better after sitting for 10 minutes so the flavors can meld together
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry before applying oil for better caramelization
- Taste the dressing before adding to the salad since barbecue sauce brands vary wildly in sweetness