Healthy BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (Print Version)
Protein-packed 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)
# Steps:
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 all dressing ingredients 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 and toss gently to combine.
07 - Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, if using. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of warm, smoky chicken against crisp, cold vegetables creates that perfect temperature contrast that makes every forkful exciting
- You get that satisfying BBQ flavor without needing to fire up the grill or heat up your kitchen
02 -
- The temperature difference between warm chicken and cold vegetables is what makes this salad special, so do not let the chicken cool completely before assembling
- Reserve some of the dressing to add right before serving in case the salad sits for a bit
03 -
- Invest in a good meat thermometer because perfectly cooked chicken makes all the difference in this salad
- Toast your corn in a dry skillet before adding for an extra layer of smoky flavor