Mexican Chopped Salad BBQ Chicken (Printable Version)

Vibrant Mexican salad with BBQ chicken, fresh veggies, and tangy cilantro lime dressing for a flavorful meal.

# Ingredients Required:

→ Chicken

01 - 450 g boneless skinless chicken breast
02 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
05 - 7.5 g salt (1/2 tablespoon)
06 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
07 - 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oil (olive, canola, or vegetable)
08 - 180 ml BBQ sauce, plus extra for garnish

→ Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

09 - 60 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
10 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
11 - 1 teaspoon honey
12 - 120 ml olive oil

→ Salad

13 - 4 heaping cups Romaine lettuce
14 - 150 g cooked corn kernels (thawed if frozen or drained if canned)
15 - 150 g cherry tomatoes, halved
16 - 40–50 g thinly sliced red onions
17 - 165 g canned garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
18 - 1 avocado, peeled and cut into small chunks
19 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
20 - 30 g tortilla strips

# Guide to Cooking:

01 - Combine cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Brush chicken breasts lightly with 1 teaspoon oil and rub with the spice blend. Optionally marinate for 30 minutes up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook chicken for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until no longer pink inside. Alternatively, brush grill grates with remaining oil and grill chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through. Transfer to bowl, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and toss with BBQ sauce.
03 - Whisk together lime juice, cilantro, honey, and olive oil in a small bowl or shake all ingredients in a lidded jar until emulsified. Set aside.
04 - Combine lettuce, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and garbanzo beans in a large bowl. Drizzle with some vinaigrette and toss to coat. Gently fold in avocado. Adjust seasoning and add more vinaigrette if necessary.
05 - Top salad with sliced BBQ chicken. Garnish with tortilla strips and chopped cilantro. Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if desired and serve immediately.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Allowing the chicken to marinate enhances the flavor but is optional.