Description
BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad with Cilantro Ranch is a fresh, colorful, and satisfying meal that brings together smoky grilled chicken, crunchy vegetables, sweet corn, and black beans—all tossed in a tangy homemade cilantro ranch dressing. It’s a perfect balance of bold flavor and wholesome ingredients, ideal for lunch, dinner, or entertaining.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
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2 grilled chicken breasts, chopped (or 2 cups cooked shredded BBQ chicken)
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6 cups romaine or green leaf lettuce, chopped
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
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1 cup canned or fresh corn
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½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
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½ red onion, finely chopped
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1 avocado, diced
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Crushed tortilla chips (for topping, optional)
For the Cilantro Ranch Dressing:
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½ cup mayonnaise
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½ cup sour cream
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¼ cup buttermilk (or milk to thin)
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½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
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1 garlic clove
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1 tablespoon lime juice
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Prepare the cilantro ranch: Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Chill until ready to use.
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If using fresh chicken, season with salt, pepper, and a light coating of BBQ sauce. Grill or cook in a skillet until fully cooked. Let rest, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
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In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, cheese, red onion, and avocado.
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Add the chopped BBQ chicken and drizzle with cilantro ranch dressing.
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Toss everything together until well mixed. Top with crushed tortilla chips if desired.
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Serve immediately with extra dressing on the side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (if cooking chicken)