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BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
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The BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad is a fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make meal combining tender smoky chicken, crisp vegetables, tangy BBQ sauce, and vibrant textures. Perfect for quick lunches or light dinners, this nutritious salad offers an irresistible balance of taste and health benefits that can be enjoyed any season.

Ingredients

Protein

  • Cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced – about 2 cups
  • BBQ sauce – 1/3 cup (plus extra for brushing during cooking)

Vegetables & Greens

  • Romaine lettuce – 4 cups, chopped finely
  • Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup, halved
  • Red onion – 1/4 cup, thinly sliced
  • Corn kernels – 1/2 cup, drained if canned
  • Black beans – 1/2 cup, drained and rinsed
  • Fresh cilantro – 1/4 cup, chopped

Dressing & Toppings

  • Lime juice – 2 tablespoons, fresh squeezed
  • Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese – 1/2 cup shredded

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Cook chicken breast fully until tender by grilling, searing, or baking. Brush liberally with BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of cooking. Once cooked, shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Chop the Vegetables: Wash and dry romaine lettuce, then chop finely. Halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion, drain and rinse black beans and corn, and chop fresh cilantro.
  3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, tomatoes, onion, corn, black beans, and cilantro. Add the shredded chicken and toss gently to mix ingredients evenly.
  4. Dress and Top: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the salad, drizzle with BBQ sauce, and toss lightly to coat the ingredients without overpowering them. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and give a final gentle toss.

Notes

  • Use warm chicken to help the BBQ sauce infuse the salad flavor more deeply.
  • Pat vegetables dry after washing to prevent sogginess.
  • Customize BBQ sauce by mixing in honey or chipotle for extra sweetness or spice.
  • Chop all ingredients uniformly for cohesive, easy-to-eat bites.
  • Prepare components ahead and store separately to maintain freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken salad, chopped salad, healthy chicken salad, easy lunch, BBQ recipe

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/bbq-chicken-chopped-salad/