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
Hello
New Subscriber here, Starting with Week 12 menu. Wanted to ask what you go to BBQ Sauce is?
I don't have a particular favorite store bought one!! But that said, I should do a taste test! Stay tuned!
If you don’t have fresh corn is there a way you can make it with frozen or canned corn?
frozen corn would work!! just warm it up and then use
Could I use a rotisserie chicken and toss in bbq sauce?
sure!!
Excited to try this recipe! About how many pounds of chicken? I have 2lbs of boneless beasts - should I be making any adjustments for the slow cooker? Thanks!!
that works!
There's nothing more filling and healthier than a loaded salad bowl!!
These were delicious- thank you! My boyfriend loved them too and he’s a tough sell!
Are you using bone in thighs? I didn’t want to use boneless and end up with dry chicken.
boneless, skinless thighs always!
Super delicious! Made some substitutions to accommodate what I had on hand but kept the flavor profiles. Thanks for the super simple way to make bbq pulled chicken in the crock pot. My gosh, it's so easy! Ended up making a deconstructed CHOPPED SALAD with the bbq chicken, fresh corn, sliced tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, avocado, shredded sharp white cheddar. Super loving the new cookbook - 100% of what I've tried has been delicious!
Made it last night and loved it but I cant get the BBQ sauce right... what BBQ sauce should i use
I use Stubbs!! Have you tried that one?
This looks so perfect for weekday lunches!
Do you have a favorite brand of bbq sauce? I usually make my own but want to save time for quick lunches!
Love the one from Stubb's
So refreshing! Love the addition of quinoa!
Hi, Gaby loved this salad! Was so good. My husband is not a fan of salads and he loved it! Thanks for this recipe!!! Love your cooking!!!!
SO happy to hear!! xx
What kind of quinoa do you use?
Trader Joes!
I need all of this!