Bursting with bold flavors and vibrant colors, this Southwestern BBQed Pork or Chicken Salad is a hearty twist on your classic salad. Featuring smoky, grilled pork chops or chicken breasts caramelized with tangy BBQ sauce, this recipe combines fresh romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, protein-packed black beans, and sweet corn for a delightful medley of textures. The salad is elevated with creamy avocado slices, crunchy tortilla strips, and a zesty homemade lime-cilantro dressing that ties everything together. Perfect for weeknight dinners or backyard gatherings, this nutrient-rich, gluten-free salad is ready in just 35 minutes and guarantees a crowd-pleasing, Tex-Mex-inspired taste experience.
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Brush the pork chops or chicken breasts with some BBQ sauce, reserving extra for basting later.
Grill the meat for 6-8 minutes per side or until fully cooked and slightly charred, basting with additional BBQ sauce as it cooks. Use an internal thermometer to ensure pork is cooked to 145°F or chicken to 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
While the meat is grilling, wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, drain and rinse the black beans, and prepare the corn if necessary (thaw or drain).
To make the dressing, combine fresh lime juice, olive oil, honey, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake well to combine.
Slice the grilled pork or chicken thinly into strips.
In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels, shredded cheese, and sliced pork or chicken.
Drizzle the lime-cilantro dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Top the salad with sliced avocado, tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips, and chopped fresh cilantro.
Serve immediately and enjoy the zesty goodness of this Southwestern BBQed Pork or Chicken Salad!
Calories |
3640 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 220.4 g | 283% | |
| Saturated Fat | 64.8 g | 324% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 478 mg | 159% | |
| Sodium | 4305 mg | 187% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 250.2 g | 91% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 66.3 g | 237% | |
| Total Sugars | 74.0 g | ||
| Protein | 190.7 g | 381% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 1477 mg | 114% | |
| Iron | 21.8 mg | 121% | |
| Potassium | 5986 mg | 127% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.