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 and mostly guilt free! Hands down this is one of my favorite salads that you absolutely have to try!
BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup fresh corn cut from the cob
- 1/2 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
- ** 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 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce. I cook on low for about 6-7 hours and then shred and refrigerate for later.
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
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. 🙂
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!
Made this tonight and it was SO DELICIOUS and super filling. The raw corn was the perfect additional texture. I don’t think there’s a single thing I would change. May try with shredded pepper jack next time. YUM! Can’t wait to make it again.
The recipe looks great. I was wondering if the corn is raw or cut from the cob after cooking it?
raw!! and delish!
Is this served hot or cold?
I do it at room temp! but it works either way
Who would of thought, thanks for always inspiring! xo
I need all of this!
What kind of quinoa do you use?
Trader Joes!
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
So refreshing! Love the addition of quinoa!
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
This looks so perfect for weekday lunches!
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?
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!
Are you using bone in thighs? I didn’t want to use boneless and end up with dry chicken.
boneless, skinless thighs always!
These were delicious- thank you! My boyfriend loved them too and he’s a tough sell!
There’s nothing more filling and healthier than a loaded salad bowl!!
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!
Could I use a rotisserie chicken and toss in bbq sauce?
sure!!
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
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!
Hi there! I’ve got a question. Everytime I save one of your recipes to Pinterest & go to it later, after I tap on the picture there is never a recipe attached. I’ve tried it several different ways & it always seems to be with your website. Do you have any suggestions? Thx!
I just recently discovered your website and have enjoyed every recipe I’ve tried from here. Thank you!! I looked at this recipe a week ago, and somewhere I read instructions for cooking chicken thighs in the crockpot with barbecue sauce (I thought?). For some reason I can’t find those instructions now.
thanks for catching that!! some of my recipe notes didn’t come over with the redesign! It’s there now! xx
My husband and I LOVE this salad for a weeknight meal, and its gluten free!
I made this true to recipe and loved it, my husband too! I even last min changed my entry for a potluck this weekend so I can make this for my girlfriends! I like that it uses ingredients I often have on hand, but in a different way than I normally would. The fresh cilantro really brightens up all of the flavors. Thank you!!
This is so good! We love it in the spring/summer and is SO quick and easy to make.
Love this recipe! I make it all the time!! Do you happen to know the nutritional info?
How many does this serve? Thank you!
4
Delicious! I’m so glad my daughter introduced me to www:whatsgabbycookingthisweek! I doubled the recipe for leftovers.