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
Who would of thought, thanks for always inspiring! xo
Is this served hot or cold?
I do it at room temp! but it works either way
The recipe looks great. I was wondering if the corn is raw or cut from the cob after cooking it?
raw!! and delish!
Gabby do you cook the quinoa and beans?
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!
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. 🙂
Hi Gaby! Just wondering how long the chicken you make up in the slow cooker would last in the fridge? Thanks 🙂
about 5-6 days!!
This is what I am doing for dinner tonight!!!! Thank you!
I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate quinoa. This looks so good with all of that bbq sauce and avocado!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
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!!!
omg so many favorites! The regular one from Trader Joe's is great. I love the Stubb's one from Whole Foods too!!
how many servings does this recipe make? Maybe I'm just missing it but I can't find that info. Thanks
4-6 depending on if its a side dish or main course!
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...
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
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 🙂
omg no way!!! such a small world!! What' his name?
Chad Bauer, I told him he had to tell your husband today because I find these coincidences amazing!
omg small world!! love that 🙂 and enjoy the BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad!!
How many servings does this make? 🙂
4-6 servings depending on if it's a side dish or main course!
Wow this looks ridiculously amazing! I am just loving Quinoa right now! I had to include this in our Feature Friday today for "20 Delectable Salads" I hope you can stop by and check out your recipe! http://returntothetable.net/recipes/20-delectable-salads/
I made this for lunch today and it was excellent. Thanks for sharing.