BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad is a party on a plate! This filling entree salad is full of texture and bold, BBQ flavors.

bbq chicken chopped salad

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!

chicken salad 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!

close up photo of chicken chopped salad

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.

chicken breast on grill

Pop a couple ears sweet corn on the grill next door then rotate occasionally until all sides are evenly charred.

corn on grill

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!

grilled corn and chicken breast on plate

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.

chopped lettuce for a salad in a bowl

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.

lettuce in bowl

To the chopped lettuce add chopped vine-ripened tomatoes, minced red onion,

chopped lettuce with more toppings in bowl

black beans, and the kernels from the grilled corn.

black beans and corn on top of lettuce

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.

cheese on top of lettuce and other toppings

Add the chopped chicken then, using a pair of tongs, toss the salad ingredients together.

tongs and bowl of chopped salad

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!

overhead photo of bbq chicken chopped salad

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

5 from 1 vote

by Kristin Porter

Prep: 10

Cook: 10

Total: 20

Servings: 4

GF EF

overhead photo of bbq chicken chopped salad

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BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad is a party on a plate! This filling entree salad is full of fun textures and bold, BBQ flavors.

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

Calories: 328kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 63mg, Sodium: 499mg, Potassium: 728mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 963IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 238mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.

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photo collage of bbq chicken chopped salad