BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad is a party on a plate! This filling entree salad is full of texture and bold, BBQ flavors.
I’ve got a must-try sizzling chicken salad recipe for you: BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad!
This filling entree salad combines crisp romaine lettuce with grilled chicken and 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 chicken salad you’ll be dreaming about making over and over and over again.
It’s the fresh and 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 grilling chicken breasts that have been pounded thin and seasoned with salt and pepper for 3-4 minutes per side over medium-high heat.
Brush the grilled side with BBQ sauce after flipping once, keeping the lid closed to let the BBQ sauce sizzle and caramelize as the second side cooks.
Pop a couple 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 then let then let them cool slightly before chopping the chicken and slicing the kernels off the cobs. Set both aside for a sec!
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 chopped vine-ripened tomatoes, minced red onion,
black beans, and the kernels from the grilled corn.
Finally, add a big handful of crushed tortilla chips (however many you want) and shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.
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!
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, ~1lb, pounded to an even thickness
- salt and pepper
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for topping
- 2 ears sweet corn
- 2 10oz bags chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded then chopped
- 1 cup black beans
- 1/2 small red onion, minced
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- crushed tortilla chips
- Ranch dressing
Directions
- Spray chicken breasts with nonstick spray then season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing the grilled side with BBQ sauce after flipping once. Grill the corn cobs, 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, desired amount of crushed tortilla chips, grilled chicken, and grilled corn. Drizzle with ranch dressing and extra bbq sauce (or your favorite dressing) then toss and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce, whether it's sweet or spicy.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
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!
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
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.
HOLY YUM!
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
Totally!
Your’re an artist! Breathtaking pics as usual! Your site is such a delight!
Ooh, I want that RIGHT now!! So yummy, cool, and refreshing!
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.
Hallelujah I’m not alone. My hubs hates creamy things “I have teeth for a reason”. He also hates white food. *sigh*
HAHA – that made me laugh out loud! :) Mine does too…except for potatoes and marshmallows. :)
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! ☺
Thanks for stopping by, Ingrid! :)
What kind of BBQ sauce do you use?
We have a bunch in our fridge, but I like KC Masterpiece original the best, I think!
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!
I haven’t – I didn’t even know BPS *had* a restaurant! I’ll have to try that sometime soon though – sounds awesome. :)
Yep…I think it’s called Uncle Buck’s.
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 :)