Healthy BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (Printable Version)

Protein-packed chopped salad with grilled BBQ chicken, crisp vegetables, and tangy yogurt dressing ready in 35 minutes.

# 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 Steps:

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.
07 - Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, if using. Serve immediately.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • Every bite hits you with that perfect contrast between hot grilled chicken and cool crunchy vegetables
  • The homemade dressing comes together in seconds and tastes like something from a fancy restaurant
  • You can prep everything ahead and still have a meal that feels fresh and exciting
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling is absolutely crucial or all those juices end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad
  • The dressing tastes completely different after it sits for 10 minutes so make it first and let the flavors meld
03 -
  • Always check your barbecue sauce label for hidden gluten if that is a concern for you
  • The dressing doubles as a fantastic dip for raw vegetables or grilled shrimp

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