Healthy BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (Print Version)

Grilled BBQ chicken over crisp romaine with black beans, corn, avocado, and creamy dressing for a satisfying 35-minute meal.

# What You 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)

# How to Make It:

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 (74°C). 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 Hints:

01 -
  • The grilled chicken stays juicy while the vegetables bring a crunch that makes every bite exciting
  • You get all the satisfaction of barbecue flavors without the heavy post meal slump
02 -
  • Do not skip resting the chicken or it will dry out the second you cut into it
  • The dressing tastes better after it sits for ten minutes so the flavors can marry
03 -
  • Pat your chicken dry before oiling it for better grill marks and flavor
  • Use a sugar free barbecue sauce if you are watching your sugar intake

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