Description
A vibrant and flavorful Barbeque Chicken Salad featuring shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in sugar-free BBQ sauce, fresh romaine lettuce, black beans, fire-roasted corn, grape tomatoes, avocado, and red onion, all topped with a creamy, zesty cilantro lime ranch dressing. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal that combines smoky and fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup sugar-free BBQ sauce (such as Primal Kitchen)
- 8 cups romaine lettuce (or spinach)
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup canned corn kernels (fire roasted if available)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1–2 avocados, chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- Optional toppings: shredded Mexican or cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips
Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing Ingredients
- 3/4 cup paleo mayo
- 1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk, shaken
- 1/2 cup cilantro, tightly packed (about 1/2 bunch)
- 1 tablespoon honey (omit for Whole30 option)
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- 2 teaspoons dried chives
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 clove garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 jalapeno, roughly chopped (with or without seeds for more spice; see notes)
- 1/4 cup mild salsa verde
- 3 tablespoons almond milk (adjust to preferred consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing: Add all dressing ingredients except the almond milk to a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Gradually add the almond milk in small amounts until the desired creamy consistency is achieved. Refrigerate the dressing to chill before serving.
- Prepare the BBQ Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken with the sugar-free BBQ sauce, tossing well to coat the chicken evenly. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Assemble the Salad: Prepare the salad ingredients by draining and rinsing the black beans and corn, halving the grape tomatoes, chopping the avocado and red onion, and finely chopping the cilantro. Add the romaine lettuce to a large serving bowl and layer the BBQ chicken on top. Then add black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and cilantro evenly over the salad.
- Add Optional Toppings and Dressing: If desired, sprinkle shredded Mexican or cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla strips over the salad for added texture and flavor. Serve the salad with the chilled cilantro lime ranch dressing on the side or drizzled on top.
Notes
- Choose between romaine lettuce or spinach depending on preference; both add a fresh base to the salad.
- Opt for fire-roasted corn kernels for a smoky depth of flavor.
- Adjust the jalapeno seeds based on your preferred spice level.
- To make the dressing Whole30 compliant, omit the honey.
- The salad pairs well with additional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or crunchy tortilla strips for extra flavor and texture.
- Use a good quality sugar-free BBQ sauce to keep the recipe low sugar and flavorful.
