This Loaded BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad is one of my favorite make ahead meals!!
I throw around the term on brand a LOT! I'll say something like, this restaurant is totally on brand. Wearing yoga pants daily is on brand. My bright red bike helmet... on brand. You get the idea! Today and every other day for that matter, it's safe to say that loaded salads are totally ON BRAND. They make life colorful and delicious and it's a great way to use whatever is left in my fridge. Yesterday I whipped up a ton of these salads for the week! I just assemble the entire thing, minus the avocado, so then we can grab them for lunch when we're hungry and add some avocado right before we eat. Layers of quinoa, grilled corn, black beans, shredded BBQ chicken, diced avocado, BBQ sauce and a little cheese give this salad about 324 dimensions and each bite was packed with flavor.
It's kind of like a BBQ chicken pizza but subbed with quinoa which makes it healthier! Hands down this is one of my favorite salads that you absolutely have to try!
BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked quinoa
- ½ cup fresh corn cut from the cob
- ½ cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup shredded BBQ chicken can use a store bought chicken and tossed with a little BBQ sauce
- 1 avocado chopped
- 3-4 tablespoons White Cheddar cheese shredded
- BBQ sauce
- 2 scallions chopped
- cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the quinoa, corn, black beans, chicken and avocado. Season with salt and pepper
- Transfer mixture onto a bowl and top with shredded cheese, BBQ sauce, scallions and cilantro.
- Serve
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
Oh my... now my favorite pizza is in salad form?? Where's my fork!!! Brilliant Ms. G... simply brilliant!!
mmm...yum! When I saw this pic I was also thinking BBQ chicken pizza in a healthier form - this is a great recipe!
Made this tonight and I LOVED it!!
Me too! 🙂
Loaded salads are my jam too. I'll have 5 of these please 🙂
This sounds perfect for so many occasions! Thanks for posting!
I am making this tonight!
I am sure that is a good and healthy food.
This is my new go-to meal. Love the quinoa.
Um, yes YES. Consider me giddy for this meal.
This is like a complete meal in one beautiful dish!
Sounds truly fabulous.... don't you just love when you throw a bunch of stuff together and end up with a fabulous new dish? I sure do.
This is right up our alley. And what a fun & unique way to serve quinoa!
Yum! This sounds so awesome.
Sometimes leftovers thrown together make the best meal! This looks like a total winner.
Looks yummy and healthy, to boot!