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    BBQ Chicken Kale Salad

    Jun 4, 2018 / by Laney Schwartz / 7 Comments(updated Sep 16, 2020)
    ★★★★★ from 4 reviews

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    BBQ Chicken Kale SaladMy favorite recipes are the ones that happen by accident. You know, the ones where you throw a bunch of stuff together and out comes an amazing recipe?!

    Yeah, that’s what happened here. BBQ Chicken Kale Salad for the win!

    BBQ Chicken Kale SaladIt all started with this beautiful kale. My favorite kind, lacinato (aka dino kale). It’s the least bitter tasting kale, easy to work with and tastes great in a salad or cooked. In this recipe I like chopping it up super small so it’s really easy to eat and every piece gets coated with the dressing.

    BBQ Chicken Kale SaladThen comes this easy shredded BBQ chicken that I made in the Instant Pot. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, first of all, why? And second of all, you can use any leftover BBQ chicken or make it in the slow cooker.

    BBQ Chicken Kale SaladFinally, top it off with these crispy chickpeas and your life will be changed forever! A little protein, a little crunch and so much flavor.

    BBQ Chicken Kale SaladAdd some avocado and your favorite ranch dressing for the best salad of your life. Ok, maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but it’s real real good.

    Print
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    BBQ Chicken Kale Salad

    ★★★★★ 4.8 from 4 reviews
    • Yield: 4 1x
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    Description

    Chopped kale salad with BBQ chicken, crispy chickpeas, avocado and ranch dressing. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 bunch lacinato (dino) kale, stems removed and finely chopped
    • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce (plus 1/4 cup)
    • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
    • your favorite ranch dressing (I love and use Primal Kitchen)
    • 1 avocado, diced

    Instructions

    For the Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

    1. Place the chicken in the instant pot with 1 cup of the BBQ sauce. Close lid and make sure the valve is on sealing. Cook on manual high pressure for 12 minutes then manually release pressure. 
    2. Remove chicken and shred with two forks then place back in the Instant Pot and add additional BBQ sauce if desired. Set aside until ready to use.

    For the Crispy Chickpeas

    1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 
    2. After you rinse and drain the chickpeas, carefully dry them with a paper towel then add them to the lined baking sheet. Toss evenly with olive oil, salt, garlic powder and paprika and bake for 25-35 minutes until crisp. As they cool they will get crispier. 

    For the Salad

    1. Add the chopped kale, chicken, chickpeas and avocado to a large bowl and toss with your favorite ranch dressing, homemade or store bought. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @lifeisbutadish on Instagram and hashtag it #lifeisbutadish

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    Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy, Instant Pot & Slow Cooker, Salads

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means the world and is greatly appreciated!

      xo, Laney

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      Comments

    1. Megan

      January 04, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      I love love love this salad!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Caitlin

      July 20, 2020 at 8:40 pm

      I used a crockpot and just did like 4hrs on high or something..just until it was done! I used homemade bbq sauce and it was incredible. My partner and I both devoured the salad. Can’t wait to eat leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Ann

      July 15, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      How can you make this without an instant pot? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        July 16, 2020 at 10:07 pm

        Yes you can use any shredded chicken

    4. Jessica N Aguilar

      December 10, 2019 at 4:37 pm

      What type of BBQ sauce do you use? I’ve used Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce a few times and while it’s delicious consistently get a BURN error. I think it’s too dense.

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        December 19, 2019 at 8:37 pm

        The burn notice can happen with really acidic foods but i haven’t experienced that

    5. Zaby Shore

      June 08, 2019 at 1:00 pm

      I think this recipe used to have the instructions for the slow cooker, because I’ve made it before and it was delicious. I might’ve just seen it on your Instagram story, either way it would be awesome if you could add how to make it with a slow cooker. Again, great recipe! 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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