Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

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This salad is inspired by California Pizza Kitchen's BBQ chicken salad, with crisp lettuce and jicama, sweet BBQ chicken and juicy corn kernels. You can cook the chicken thighs on a grill pan, or use an outdoor grill if the weather permits. Tortilla strips add a welcome crunch to the salad—find them in the salad dressing aisle at major supermarkets.

a recipe photo of the Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
Photo: Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Styling: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Active Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • cup reduced-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt

  • ¼ cup whole milk

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus wedges for serving

  • 1 teaspoon dried dill

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • cup barbecue sauce

  • 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce hearts

  • 1 (15.5 ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed

  • 1 ½ cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels

  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil

  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

  • 2 small avocados, cut into 18 slices

  • 1 cup peeled jicama strips

  • 1 cup tortilla strips

  • 2 cups chopped plum tomatoes

Directions

  1. Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Pat chicken dry with paper towels; brush with canola oil and season both sides evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, turning occasionally, until grill marks appear on both sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a large plate; let cool for 15 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, whisk yogurt, milk, olive oil, lime juice, dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until smooth.

  3. Chop the chicken into bite-size pieces; place in a medium bowl. Add barbecue sauce; toss until well coated.

  4. Combine lettuce, black beans, corn, 3/4 cup cheese, basil, cilantro and the dressing in a large bowl; toss with tongs until well coated.

  5. Divide the salad among 6 bowls (about 1 1/2 cups each). Top each with 3 avocado slices, about 3 tablespoons jicama, about 3 tablespoons tortilla strips and 2 teaspoons cheese; add 1/3 cup tomatoes around the edges of each bowl. Top each bowl with 1/2 cup barbecue chicken. Garnish with additional cilantro and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

To make ahead

Refrigerate dressing (Step 2) in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, September 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

475 Calories
26g Fat
36g Carbs
30g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 2 1/2 cups
Calories 475
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 11g 39%
Total Sugars 9g
Added Sugars 2g 4%
Protein 30g 60%
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 90mg 30%
Vitamin A 2596IU 52%
Vitamin C 37mg 41%
Vitamin D 10IU 3%
Vitamin E 3mg 18%
Folate 90mcg 23%
Vitamin K 93mcg 78%
Sodium 621mg 27%
Calcium 253mg 19%
Iron 3mg 17%
Magnesium 99mg 24%
Potassium 975mg 21%
Zinc 3mg 27%
Vitamin B12 1mcg 42%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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