MY NEW FAVORITE SALAD - BBQ CHICKEN SALAD WITH CREAMY CILANTRO LIME DRESSING

Have you ever finished eating a salad and wondered why you even bothered eating it, because you are still hungry?  I have.  I can assure you, that will not be the case with this one.  I was actually full after I ate this.  Not just "satisfied" or "no longer hungry", I was "flat out - full".  That rarely ever happens to me with salads (unless I'm eating a Cafe Rio salad!!).  

I loved this salad and I have craved it every single day since I first ate it.  This is definitely going to become a regular item on my dinner menu.  I adjusted the original recipe slightly.  I cooked my chicken in a little chicken broth and barbeque sauce with some seasonings and I did not add barbeque sauce to my salad or to my salad dressing, 

I only used iceberg lettuce and I added less garlic and way more cilantro to the dressing than called for, because I love cilantro.  I served my chicken, beans and corn warm on top of the salad, because that is what I prefer.  I think crunchy tortilla strips would be really good on top of this salad, but I didn't get a chance to make any, but next time, I will definitely try it.  I will post my adaptation of Mel's Recipe, but be sure to check out both and do what you prefer. 

BBQ Chkn Salad w/ Creamy Cilantro Dressing

(Printable Recipe)

Salad:

3 c. cooked, shredded chicken (cook in the crockpot 

   with chicken broth, barbeque sauce and desired 

   seasonings.  When done, shred chicken and add 

   some of the leftover juice)

1 head iceberg lettuce, cored and chopped

1 can corn, drained & warmed

1 can black beans, rinsed, drained & warmed

tomato, diced

olives, chopped, opt.

cilantro, chopped

shredded Cheddar cheese

shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

1 c. Mayonnaise

1/3 c. milk

1/3 c. buttermilk

6 Tbl. fresh cilantro, chopped, or to taste

1 Tbl. fresh lime juice

1 tsp. white vinegar

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 garlic clove, finely minced

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp. black pepper

1/4 tsp. cumin, or to taste

For the Dressing: Combine all ingredients together and whisk vigorously to combine.  You could also run this through a blender to make it even more smooth.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To Assemble: Layer chopped lettuce, beans, corn, shredded chicken, shredded cheese, diced tomato and olives and drizzle with cilantro lime dressing.  Garnish with chopped cilantro.  Serves: 4