This salad is loaded with all the delicious summer eats - tender, juicy chicken grilled and smothered with honey BBQ sauce, fluffy quinoa, buttery kernels of corn, fresh veggies, two types of cheeses, crispy tortilla strips and a creamy, smooth avocado dressing. This Southwestern Honey BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad is anything but boring!
Make the rub: In a small bowl mix together the ingredients for the rub. Coat chicken evenly and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.*
Prepare the dressing: Place all ingredients, except oil, in the bowl of a small food processor. Pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil until fully combined and emulsified. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt.
For the BBQ Sauce: In a small mixing bowl stir together ingredients for BBQ sauce. Transfer ¼ cup of honey BBQ sauce to a small bowl (you will use this to toss cooked chicken with). Set both aside.
Cook Chicken and Corn: Heat grill to medium, or 425-450 degrees F, and oil grates. Season chicken and corn generously with salt and pepper. Place corn on grill and cook, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Place chicken on grill and cook until nicely browned, 3-5 minutes. Flip and continue to cook, generously brushing with BBQ sauce, until second side is browned and chicken registers 160 degrees F. Remove from grill and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Cut the kernels off the cob using a serrated knife. Slice or chop chicken breasts and toss with reserved BBQ Sauce.
To assemble: Place lettuce in a large bowl and top with salad ingredients, corn and sliced BBQ chicken. Drizzle with dressing and gently toss to combine.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes
*For even cooking and juicier chicken breast lightly pound chicken breast to an even ¾’’-1’’ thickness. Easiest way to do this is to place chicken in a Ziploc bag and use a mallet to gently pound out the thickest part of chicken breast. *I like Sweet Baby Rays or Stubbs Hickory BBQ Sauce *The amount of honey you add to your BBQ Sauce will depend on the type of BBQ sauce you purchase and your own personal taste. I added 2 ½ tablespoons of honey to mine. *For best flavor allow chicken to marinate in the rub for 8 hours in the refrigerator. *Dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.**Nutritional Information includes EVERYTHING - from the salad and chicken to the cheese and dressing.