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BBQ Chicken Salad

This delicious BBQ Chicken Salad brings smoky barbecue flavors to a fresh, vibrant salad. Perfect for using leftover chicken or as a main dish for summer gatherings, it delivers all the beloved barbecue taste while keeping things light and refreshing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 375 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Serving Bowl
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

For the salad

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works wonderfully)
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn kernels fresh, frozen, or canned
  • 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1/3 cup crispy tortilla strips or crumbled tortilla chips

For the BBQ dressing

  • 1/3 cup BBQ sauce choose your favorite brand
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lime juice, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Layer the chopped romaine lettuce in a large serving bowl or platter.
  • Arrange the cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, and diced avocado over the lettuce.
  • Drizzle a small amount of the BBQ dressing over your cooked chicken to infuse it with extra flavor, then arrange it on top of the salad.
  • Sprinkle the shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and tortilla strips over the salad.
  • Drizzle the remaining BBQ dressing over the entire salad or serve it on the side for individual portioning.

Notes

For meal prep, store components separately and assemble just before eating. Keep the dressing in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Add avocado, cheese, and tortilla strips just before serving for best results.
You can make this salad vegetarian by replacing chicken with grilled tempeh, firm tofu, or roasted chickpeas tossed in BBQ sauce.
For a lower-carb version, skip the beans, corn, and tortilla strips, and use a sugar-free BBQ sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSodium: 520mgFiber: 9gSugar: 8g
Keyword BBQ Chicken Salad, Chicken Salad, Healthy Salad, BBQ
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