March 8, 2011

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

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

16 comments:

  1. I love salads and I love salads with chicken in them even more. Yours looks so fresh, crisp and delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  2. I love a good salad that can fill you up. That dressing sounds amazing

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  3. Healthy and delicious! i love how vibrant the colours in this salad are!

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  4. you had me at salad! This looks sooooo good...I really should not be reading food blogs at midnight b/c they make me hungry! Thanks for visiting my blog, I'm enjoying yours!

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  5. Yum!!! That dressing sounds killer! :)

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  6. I cannot WAIT to make this! I was drooling over all your recipes! Love this blog! We are your newest followers! :)

    www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com

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  7. And another one I bookmarked lol yumm looks so good

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  8. yummmmmmm! This looks perfect for this weekend.

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  9. Salads are mix of various ingredients that can create interesting recipes. There are many different varieties of bbq salads. One of the interesting recipes of bbq salads is potato salad. I really love potato salad.

    bbq salads

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  10. Hi I have a question what seasonings do you add to your chicken in the crockpot and also what kind of bbq sauce. I am going to make this this week and want to make it right lol

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  11. @The Daily Smash - I season the chicken with Mrs. Dash (the one with the yellow lid). I add that seasoning to everything - it's a variety of all kinds of spices and you can find it at pretty much any grocery store. I also salt and pepper the chicken. My favorite BBQ sauce is Famous Dave's Sweet and Zesty and that is what I always use. Sometimes I cook the chicken in the oven, if I forget to put it in the crockpot and it turns out great that way too. I can't wait to see what you think of it!! - Jenn

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  12. Finally made this it was so good the whole family loved it. As always you will be getting all the credit on my blog lol Thanks again for the great recipe

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  13. This is a copy from another recipe posted on another blog and we make it all the time. Original doesn't heat the beans and corn and is a bit healthier but this sounds good also. Will try and see.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, in my blog post I link to the original recipe site (Mel's Kitchen Cafe) and I also mention that I prefer my beans warm, so I heat them. Thanks :)

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  14. How long will the dressing keep in the refrigerator?

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    Replies
    1. As long as your Mayo and buttermilk aren't expiring, then it can last for quite a while. Mine is usually gone within a week and a half to two weeks.

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