BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad

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This Loaded BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad is one of my favorite make ahead meals!!

BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)


 

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

Author: Gaby Dalkin
5 from 14 votes
This Loaded BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad is one of my favorite make ahead meals!!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad, Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

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

This recipe calls for already cooked chicken so plan ahead! If I have time, I prefer to cook my chicken in the crockpot, using 6 chicken thighs, 1 white onion sliced and ½ cup of BBQ sauce. I cook on low for about 6-7 hours and then shred and refrigerate for later.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 603mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @WhatsGabyCookin or tag #whatsgabycooking!

Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking

130 Comments

    1. yes - the quinoa is cooked per the ingredient list. and I used canned beans so I just gave them a rinse and they are already cooked!

  1. LOVE how easy this meal is and delicious. I use to get this BBQ chopped chicken salad all the time from a restaurant. Obviously the quinoa addition is 100% necessary. 🙂

  2. Love all your recipes and want to make this bbq chicken quinoa bowl. I'm stumped about what kind of bbq sauce to use! Any favs? Thank you!!!

    1. omg so many favorites! The regular one from Trader Joe's is great. I love the Stubb's one from Whole Foods too!!

  3. how many servings does this recipe make? Maybe I'm just missing it but I can't find that info. Thanks

  4. Im planning on making and prepping as much as i can the day before. Do you have any advice or recommendations on method of doing this? Mostly wondering on temperature of things what would be best, like if I serve it with quinoa and chicken cold or heated up...

    1. You could easily serve this a room temp and it would be great!! Or you could heat it up a bit so it's warm. Either way - it's great! I keep it stocked in the fridge and eat it cold lots of times too

  5. I found this recipe on pinterest and thought it looked amazing! I sent it to my fiance to see if he wanted it for dinner tomorrow night. Turns out he works with your husband!! He was telling me about the clues your dad leaves you for trips just last week! Small world 🙂

    1. Chad Bauer, I told him he had to tell your husband today because I find these coincidences amazing!

5 from 14 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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