Healthy BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (Printable)

Grilled BBQ chicken meets crisp vegetables in this protein-packed chopped salad with tangy yogurt dressing.

# What You'll 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. 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. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, if using. Serve immediately.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

01 -
  • You get that smoky barbecue flavor without the heaviness of traditional BBQ plates
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you put way more thought into it
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest before chopping is non-negotiable or you'll lose all those juices onto your cutting board instead of keeping them in the meat
  • The dressing thickens up in the fridge, so thin it with a teaspoon of water or lime juice before tossing
03 -
  • Sugar-free barbecue sauce keeps this lighter without sacrificing flavor
  • A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or just unsweetened iced tea makes the perfect pairing

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