Description
BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad with Cilantro Ranch is a vibrant and satisfying dish that brings together tender grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy cilantro ranch dressing. This salad bursts with flavors and textures, featuring crunchy tortilla chips that elevate each bite. Whether served as a hearty main course or a delightful side, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or casual weeknight dinners. With its quick preparation time and customizable ingredients, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large head romaine lettuce (finely chopped)
- ½ cup cooked black beans
- 1 medium ear corn (kernels cut off the cob)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves (chopped)
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup low-fat buttermilk
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup packed cilantro leaves
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper (seeds removed)
- 1 (1-ounce) package Hidden Valley ranch seasoning
- 1 clove garlic (chopped)
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by whisking together buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro leaves, jalapeño pepper, ranch seasoning, and garlic in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Heat vegetable oil in a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Coat chicken thighs with BBQ sauce and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until fully cooked. Let rest before slicing.
- In a large bowl, add chopped romaine lettuce. Layer with black beans, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, green onions, cilantro leaves, and Monterey Jack cheese. Toss gently to combine.
- Top the salad with sliced BBQ chicken and crushed tortilla chips. Drizzle generously with cilantro ranch dressing before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 818
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1093mg
- Fat: 54g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 35g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 151mg
Keywords: To enhance flavor, marinate the chicken in BBQ sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Customize your salad by adding toppings like avocado or extra veggies based on your preference.