Have you ever come up with a fabulous idea for a recipe and thought to yourself, I’m a frickin’ genius!, only to realize after Googling said idea that you’re about the 4 millionth person to the party?
Yeah, me too. 
Always looking for a new way to use quinoa in my cooking, as it’s a food Ben and I can both agree on (unlike onions, fruit, cream cheese, eel, squash, bacon wrapped giblets, cool whip, ham, chevre, eggs, peanut noodles, or mushrooms) and can’t be beat in the nutritional department, I thought -
What if – just WHAT IF – I paired fluffy quinoa with summer staples like grilled chicken & corn, then drizzled it with a cool dressing of sweet BBQ sauce and creamy Greek yogurt, and called it thebestthingeverrrr?!
Well, I can tell you why it’s a popular idea, because BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad is seriously unreal!
Full of over-the-top flavors like smoky grilled corn and sassy BBQ sauce, and protein-packed ingredients like grilled chicken, creamy black beans, and fluffy quinoa, BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad is pretty much a healthy and delicious party on a plate. 
Use leftover grilled chicken and corn from your last BBQ, or even rotisserie chicken and frozen corn, to get BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad to your table even faster. No matter the method, the fresh and satisfying flavors will still shine through!
Start by rinsing 1 cup quinoa in a fine mesh sieve under cold, running water. Do not skip this step! Quinoa has a naturally bitter coating called saponin which will ruin the final dish if it’s not rinsed off. Capisce?
I used Feed Adam’s Organic Quinoa which is planted and harvested by the indigenous Ecuadorian women’s foundation, and imported to the US and other parts of the world.
Sales of the company’s quinoa and quinoa-based products, including quinoa flour and pasta, help fight hunger and poverty in Ecuador, as $1 per pound of quinoa product sold is donated to organizations like New Vision Renewable Energy, and Hope International. Quinoa with a cause!
After rinsing the quinoa, combine it with 2 cups chicken broth in a small saucepan, then bring it to a boil on the stovetop.
Place a lid on top, lower the heat to medium low, then cook the quinoa for 20 minutes or so, until it’s light, fluffy, and springy. You don’t have to cook it in chicken broth, btw. I just think it adds SO much flavor.
Meanwhile, grill 2 chicken breasts seasoned with salt & pepper, and 2 ears shucked corn, over medium-high heat. The chicken should take about 4-5 minutes a side, and the corn will take just as long. A match made in grilling heaven!
Also, as I mentioned, you could totally use rotisserie or leftover chicken, and frozen –> thawed or canned corn kernels to make the dish come together even faster. Your call!
Let the chicken cool off the grill for a few minutes, then shred or chop it up, and toss with enough of your favorite BBQ sauce to coat.
Then slice the charred kernels off the corn cob (drool.)
To make the BBQ sauce drizzle that goes on top of the dish, simply stir together 1/4 cup each BBQ sauce and plain Greek yogurt.
I have to share that this GIANT tub of Chobani was only $.88 at the grocery store the other day. $.88! I nearly fell over my shopping cart! Ok, it was going to expire in 4 days…but still!
Top the cooked quinoa with shredded BBQ chicken and grilled corn, then add black beans and shredded cheddar cheese. Pop the dish in the microwave for 20 seconds to melt the cheese (if you want) then drizzle with the BBQ sauce dressing, and top with chopped cilantro. Finally, faceplant!
BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed very well
2 cups chicken broth
2 chicken breasts
salt & pepper
2 ears corn, shucked (or 1 cup corn kernels)
1/2 cup black beans, drained & rinsed
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (plus more for chicken)
Directions:
- Rinse quinoa very well in a fine mesh sieve under cold running water. Combine with the chicken broth in a saucepan then bring to a boil. Place a lid on top, lower heat to medium-low, and cook until quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt & pepper, then grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes a side, or until no longer pink in the center. (Alternatively you could poach the chicken, or use leftover or rotisserie chicken.) Add corn to the grill at the same time, and rotate every couple of minutes to evenly char on all sides. Remove chicken and corn to a plate and let cool slightly. Shred or cut chicken into cubes, then mix with enough BBQ sauce to coat. Slice kernels off the cob.
- Mix together Greek yogurt and BBQ sauce in a bowl. Evenly divide the cooked quinoa, shredded BBQ chicken, grilled corn, black beans, and shredded cheese between four plates. Drizzle with yogurt and BBQ sauce mixture, then garnish with chopped cilantro.
I don’t know what I’m more tickled about – how filling or how flavorful this dish is!
The BBQ sauce + Greek yogurt drizzle totally put it over the top.
Enjoy for lunch, dinner, 4th meal – or heck, even breakfast, if you’re into that sorta thing!
I tried savory oatmeal once and nearly puked. This, I could probably go for, but then lunchtime would come around and I’d be ticked I ate all the leftovers.
Anyways, off topic, but yes – try this!!!! 
In other news…
Thanks for your kind words re: the outfit I wore to the Barilla event! I literally have zero fashion sense, and even sweet Ben “encouraged” me buy the Gap t-shirt I was eyeing at the mall the other day to add to the rotation of cough, four other shirts I pretty much wear every week. In other words, this won’t be turning into a fashion blog anytime soon, but ya’ still made a girl blush nonetheless!
Dress: Target
Jacket: Express
Belt: Francesca’s
Necklace: Forever 21
Have a good night!
~~~~~
Where you do buy most of your clothes?
I am an Ann Taylor Loft junkie, as they have a great petite department, but also love me some random finds at Forever 21 and Francesca’s. If I had the budget, J. Crew would be my one-stop-shop!
Oh, totally unreal. Love this meal, yum!
Yum! I’ve yet to try Quinoa. I know, I’ve been living under a rock! I think this is going to be my first ever recipe using it!
Your outfit was super cute, especially the jacket
I love target for basics!
Okay this looks phenomenal! I’m eating a quinoa and chicken salad right now but I wish I would have seen this before.
And I never rinse my quinoa and I never really knew why but this makes total sense!
OMG this looks delicious
I would love to be able to afford J crew on a more regular basis! Love your cute outfit.
I think your salad looks delicious. I may add avocado since I love them.
Agree!!
You are definitely a genius, girl! This looks to die for!!
I made a version of this (http://amy-estes.com/write/bbq-chicken-quinoa-salad/) and my boyfriend says it’s the best thing I’ve ever made
I love the idea of adding greek yogurt to the BBQ sauce for a dressing. Mmm.
Have you ever tried roasting your Quiona on the stove before cooking it? it gives it a really nutty flavor that is super tasty!
I don’t think I’ve tried toasting, but I have tried frying cooked quinoa in a couple Tbls of olive oil. AMAZING.
WOW!! That is Genius , sounds delish… this might be my new lunch time favorite… Thanks for sharing
Beautiful. Just want to know. Do you really use that red spoon to eat it? If you do then thats totally cool and I need to get me one of those.
Haha, I really did!
It’s actually a spoon for chili! 
Thanks for the quinoa dish…I just bought some and have still had the guts to make it. This sounds good!
WOW I am sooo excited to make this. I am also so happy that I found your blog- I get so excited to see what you are going to make next!
You need a show on Food Network! Seriously, every time I visit your site, the recipes get better and better!!!
Even if there are 4 million other versions of this recipe out there, I’ll always try the IGE version first!
That sauce looks great! I don’t eat chicken, but I think I could make this great with marinaded tofu! I like Ann Taylor a lot! I buy most of my clothes though from LOFT. Same company, but the clothes seem more casual which is great for my work style. Also, you look gorgeous, and definitely like you have fashion sense.
Looks delicious! I’ll have to try that sometime this week, although I’ve used up my last bit of Cookies BBQ sauce. I wish they sold it out here in California (along with Blue Bunny Ice Cream!). Oh yeah, and Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen. . .
Anything with “barbecue chicken” in the name sounds like a winner to me.
Speaking of which, the BBQ chicken salad is back at Noodles and Co. this summer!! Have you tried it? It’s delish.
I haven’t – sounds awesome though!!
This looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it!
I had been eating tons of quinoa over the last couple of years, but suddenly a couple of months ago I started to have terrible stomach cramps after eating it. I discovered I am allergic or intolerant to quinoa. Totally bummed!
Any good ideas for a quinoa substitute? This recipe is totally up my alley!!
I bet it would also be really good (and lower carb) just served over a big bed of greens!
You could mix it up with some small cut pasta!
Love the idea for this meal!! And the feed adam quinoa sounds like an amazing organization
Your outfit is so cute!
you definitely looked like a doll in that outfit! I have the jacket…but it is a million degrees in nashville and I over heat easily so its gonna have to wait till fall…fail!
most of my shopping is done at marshalls,tjmaxx, macys and francescas. They have some amazingly adorable dresses right now. i want them all!
That salad looks amazing!! Do you use 1 chicken breast for both you and Ben!
Yeah. With the beans, quinoa, and cheese, it is plenty filling!
Thats great. I’m still learning how to cook for two.
My faves are Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. I actually think the Loft is no longer associated with Ann Taylor, it’s just The Loft.
That meal looks outstanding and I’m planning to make it this weekend!
I LOVE Banana Republic, Gap, Francesca’s, and the LOFT.
Do you have a Bealls? They have a great petite dept. also! My daughter & I have been buying most of ours from there! That outfit did look wonderful on you with your dark hair!
Great recipe!
Love Target when we are the States, but here I shop mainly at H&M, Old Navy and RW&Co.
I also wear a lot of Ann Taylor Loft, due to their petite section. I don’t wear JCrew because I can’t quite bring myself to spend that much and their pants/skirts/dresses NEVER fit me. You always look nice on your blog – I think you do have fashion sense!
With our budget, we go to Goodwill, Forever 21, and JCPenney when we get the annual gift card from my bro. Sometimes I’m given clothes free which is awesome. We need all the help we can get!
I also work on a (small) rotation basis with my outfits! Can totally relate
I didn’t know about rinsing the quinoa! I’ve also never cooked it in a broth! Wow, you’re opening my eyes. This recipe looks delicious
I’m big into Forever21 and H&M! I’m also obsessed with Target, sometimes I need to avoid the clothing section because I get sucked in!
making this asap!! looks awesome and would please everyone.
i’m a huge nanner town (banana republic outlet) junkie. (thank HEAVENS for williamsburg)
between that and target, i’m set!
This salad looks awesome! I’m about to write my shopping list and I’m pretty sure it’s getting added.
So of all the things Ben and you don’t agree on, I’m wondering who likes peanut noodles? I LOVE them and Hubster thinks they’re ok to mehh.
I buy a lot of my work clothes at Express. They have pants that fit me great. Outside work (ie dresses b/c that’s all I really want to wear) is a combination of Urban Outfitters (you have to dig but they have cute stuff) and random finds on flash sale sites. I also really like Francesca’s. I always find something cute when I’m there.
[...] collecting some ingredients on the walk home, I made BBQ Quinoa Salad, another delicious recipe from Kristin over at Iowa Girl Eats (her photos are infinitely better [...]
Recipe looks yummy! i love using greek yogurt as a base for things and making a dressing. I love Target for clothes and everything else shopping. They have fun pieces for each season and plenty of stables that don’t go out of style. The pants and jeans come in different fits and lengths (cause short legs are not fun). As a bonus they rotate items out so they soon hit the clearance racks, Score!
Any suggestion if my family doesn’t like BBQ sauce?
INC Petites are the best at Macy’s!
Another fab salad recipe – I’m still in love with your Chipotle-Mango BBQ Chicken Salad recipe. Can´t wait to try this one.
I love how the grill is incorporated into so many of your meals! I just wish we could keep ours on our deck (condo rules say “no”) so that we could utilize it more!
Banana Republic sales!
That looks incredible! Will have to try asap!
Wish I had more money to shop there all the time ha!
I’m a big LOFT fan too! My mom and I go shopping there all the time. She loves it for the petite clothes too! I love how their clothes can be worn in a professional setting and a casual one too
My jaw hit the floor when you said you bought that Chobani large container for $.88 I had to (regretfully) pass it up at the grocery store yesterday as they were asking $6.30 for it. Yes. That’s right. $6.30!!!! I couldn’t believe my eyes.
I usually pay $6 ($5.99) for a container that size. If my husband had any idea, he’d kill me!
Trying this recipe tonight!
I LOVE shopping at the Limited, Banana Republic and Von Maur
I wish I had the budget to shop at JCrew more often too!
I agree 100% with your store preferences, including the “j. crew if I had a bigger budget”
And obviously I love this recipe…anything with quinoa is an obvious winner.
Definitely adding this to my quinoa repertoire!!
I actually need to go shopping. I love hitting up Express, White House Black Market (but only if I can find stuff on sale – yikes!), H&M, Gap, Banana Republic (again, only if sale) and occassionaly N Y & Co.
Oh my gosh, this looks ah-mazing! I’m big on LOFT too
I’ve seen a billion quinoa recipes and they all sound the same but this looks amazing. A perfect change, thanks!
I made it for lunch today. Love the greek yogurt and bbq sauce!!!
My husband and I made this tonight. One word – amazing! Thanks for sharing. And I love the dress and blazer!
Thanks for the great ideas. I am trying to make quinoa a diet staple. I’m going to modify this a bit and mix the quinoa with a califlower risotto.
Where do I buy most of my clothes? Online. I’m 5’8 and mostly legs. Petite and Talls can save lots of money online because the petite/tall stock hangs around and is marked down generously. Wait long enough and you can afford jcrew, just shop online. I also shop Banana Republic, Piperlime, 6pm (major savings) Amazon and eBay.
Thanks for the recipe! I’ve been married 18 years and my husband said this is one of the best things I’ve ever made. And my kids ate it! Yaay!
[...] a recipe from EatingWell.com and when I got home (after drooling over my dress) I completed the Quinoa Salad, a recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. It was yummy! But I think it would be been better with grilled juicy [...]
[...] BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad from Iowa Girl Eats was probably the #1 dish of the summer so far. We BBQed up some tofu for my [...]