I’ve got a must-try salad recipe for you: BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad! This filling entree salad combines crisp romaine lettuce with BBQ chicken, grilled corn, black beans, fresh tomatoes, crushed tortilla chips (my favorite part) and red onions, drizzled with the can’t-miss combo of Ranch dressing and smoky BBQ sauce.
It is bold, zesty, fresh, quick, and easy. A party on a plate!
Sometimes eating salads can get boring and repetitive, but this is one fresh chicken salad you’ll be dreaming about making over and over and over again. It’s the fresh, summery toppings, for me.
Make/chop everything once, then toss together for salads all week long. Again, do not forget the crushed tortilla chips!
Start by brushing 2 chicken breasts that have been pounded thin with extra virgin olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Grill for 3-4 minutes a side over medium-high heat, brushing the grilled side with BBQ sauce after flipping once. Put the lid down then let the BBQ sauce sizzle and caramelize as the second side cooks.
Pop 2 ears sweet corn on the grill next door then rotate occasionally until all sides are evenly charred.
Pull the chicken and corn off the grill, let cool slightly, then chop the chicken and slice the kernels off the corn and set aside.
Next get the rest of the chopped salad ingredients ready, starting with the salad base – romaine lettuce. For 4 people you’ll want 2-10oz bags of chopped romaine lettuce.
Place the lettuce into a huge bowl (might want to do this in a few batches,) then use a pizza cutter to chop it up into small, bite-sized pieces.
To the chopped lettuce add 2 chopped vine-ripened tomatoes, 1/2 small chopped red onion,Â
1 cup black beans, and the kernels from the grilled corn.Â
Finally, add a big handful of crushed tortilla chips (however many you want) and 1/2 cup each shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. These two ingredients are my secret salad weapons. The chips add an awesome, unexpected crunch, and the mixture of cheeses is just right.
Add the chopped chicken then, using a pair of tongs, toss the salad ingredients together.
I like to dress my salad with a mixture of Ranch dressing and BBQ sauce, which really drives the flavor of the smokey-sweet BBQ chicken home, but use whatever your heart desires. Dress then toss again to combine, plate, and serve!
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BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
Description
BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad is a party on a plate! This filling entree salad is full of bold, BBQ flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, pounded thin
- extra virgin olive oil, salt & pepper
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 ears sweet corn
- 2-10oz bags chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 vine ripened tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup black beans
- 1/2 small red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- crushed tortilla chips
- Ranch dressing
- BBQ sauce
Directions
- Brush chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes a side, brushing grilled side with BBQ sauce after flipping once. Grill ears of corn, rotating occasionally, until evenly charred. Remove chicken and corn, let cool slightly, then chop chicken and slice corn kernels off cob and set aside.
- In a very large bowl add lettuce (may need to do this in a couple batches.) Use a pizza cutter to evenly chop lettuce into small pieces then toss with tomatoes, black beans, red onion, cheeses, tortilla chips, chicken, and corn. Drizzle with ranch dressing and bbq sauce (or your favorite dressing) then toss and serve immediately.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Nessa 07.22.2013
That dressing looks fantastic!
Steph 07.22.2013
I’m such a sally when it comes to trying different ingredients in my salads. When I saw this post, it made my mouth water! YUM!! I grilled up the corn and chicken on a George Foreman when I made it for lunch this week, and it is to die for! The only down side is our sweet corn patch isn’t ready yet (sigh), so I had to cave and convince my farmer fiance to let me buy some. I’m thinking he may let me buy more once he tries this salad! THANKS!
Sharon B. 07.22.2013
I love EVERYTHING you make! I feel like every week I’m pinning a recipe from you, and that makes me very happy. This looks like a delicious salad for the summer and my husband and son would love this. Thanks for another beautiful looking recipe! Sharon
Allison Frederick 07.21.2013
This reminds me a lot of the BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad at Panera, which is what I almost always order when I go there for lunch or dinner. I’ll be trying this recipe.
Des @ Life's Ambrosia 07.20.2013
HOLY YUM!
Sarah 07.19.2013
This looks so good… I don’t have a grill though, would it be okay to use a grill pan on the stove to cook the chicken and corn?
Also, face whipping pieces of lettuce is the perfect way to describe them lol
Iowa Girl Eats 07.21.2013
Totally!
Arturo Féliz-Camilo 07.19.2013
Your’re an artist! Breathtaking pics as usual! Your site is such a delight!
Tamara 07.19.2013
Ooh, I want that RIGHT now!! So yummy, cool, and refreshing!
Liz 07.18.2013
Love your salad, Kristin. Romaine is my favorite lettuce and it’s been so hot and humid this is perfect. Have a wonderful evening and take good care.
Melissa 07.18.2013
Hallelujah I’m not alone. My hubs hates creamy things “I have teeth for a reason”. He also hates white food. *sigh*
Iowa Girl Eats 07.19.2013
HAHA – that made me laugh out loud! :) Mine does too…except for potatoes and marshmallows. :)
Ingrid 07.18.2013
I just found your blog via pinterest and I fell in love with it! What really pulled me was your simple recipes (I’m not the most accomplished cook you can imagine) and the amazing pictures!!! They breathe yumminess & freshness! Also, I’m not a fan of romaine lettuce (where I live it tends to be white instead of green), but your post has encouraged me to give it a second chance! ☺
Iowa Girl Eats 07.19.2013
Thanks for stopping by, Ingrid! :)
Jamie 07.18.2013
What kind of BBQ sauce do you use?
Iowa Girl Eats 07.19.2013
We have a bunch in our fridge, but I like KC Masterpiece original the best, I think!
AbbieD 07.18.2013
Yummy! I bet if you crumbled up a could slices of bacon and threw those in there you wouldn’t hate it. :)
But while on the subject of “unconventional” (?) ways to eat BBQ chicken…have you ever tried the BBQ Chicken Nachos out at the Bass Pro Shop restaurant? This salad totally made me crave them. At first I thought, “What? BBQ sauce with pico and jalapenos and stuff? On my nachos?!” Favorite. Nachos. Ever. You should give them a try!
Iowa Girl Eats 07.19.2013
I haven’t – I didn’t even know BPS *had* a restaurant! I’ll have to try that sometime soon though – sounds awesome. :)
AbbieD 07.19.2013
Yep…I think it’s called Uncle Buck’s.
Megan 07.18.2013
The chopped BBQ chicken salad is my go-to at Panera – same ingredients and it’s so yummy!
Love following your blog and am excited for your growing family! Oh, and I’ve made the margarita chicken about 5 times since you posted it :)
Samantha 07.18.2013
Looks delicious, can’t wait to make this!
marcie@flavorthemoments 07.18.2013
This is my kind of salad right here! Beautiful photos are making it even more mouthwatering!
Beth 07.18.2013
I’m with Ben! (Except on the pudding, must have pudding.)
This salad does look A.MAZ.ING!!
Samantha M. 07.18.2013
My husband is similarly weird – hates creamy stuff usually, but loves him some Caesar salad dressing (on the rare occasion he’ll eat something green). MEN.
This is a salad that I might get The Hubs to eat, though! YUM, can’t wait to try it!
Ranelle 07.18.2013
Gah! Now I know why I love so many of your recipes – my husband hates creamy foods too! Mystery solved :)
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 07.18.2013
Sounds deelish! I love me a huge entree salad :)