CPK BBQ Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)

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If you like California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ Chicken Salad, then you’ll love this copycat CPK BBQ Chicken Salad recipe I have recreated. It’s obviously not the exact same salad, but it’s pretty darn close replica if I do say so myself! While you’re at it you should probably also try Southwest Salad Recipe with Chicken and my Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.

CPK BBQ Chicken Salad |Yum!

I’m starting to become somewhat obsessed with chopped salads. I think it all originated back in the day when I’d travel with my college roommates from Southeast Idaho to Utah to visit our sisters. We all had sisters in Utah at that time miraculously. Anyways, the first time I went to a California Pizza Kitchen, it was in Utah with my two roommates Amy and Amy. Yes, my two best friends’ names are both Amy. They both said I should try this salad….guys…I licked my plate CLEAN!

Since then I’ve only been to CPK a handful of times but each time I go, you better believe I order this salad! It’s so so good! If you’ve never been to said restaurant, then today is your lucky day 🙂  Easy peasy to throw together! PROMISE! I hope you like this CPK BBQ Chicken Salad copycat salad as much as I do.

Main Ingredients Needed

This CPK BBQ Chicken Salad is great to make with left over grilled chicken from a previous meal. It only needs 1 breast (more if you like), cut up, and bonus if its already been grilled in bbq sauce! You’ll need some avocado, fresh basil and cilantro, a handful of black beans, and a few other ingredients. Here’s the full list of ingredients you’ll need:

• Romaine Lettuce- gotta have lettuce in this salad. You could also use iceberg lettuce here.
• Basil + Cilantro– fresh is best!
• Black Beans– adds some flavor and protein!
• Sweet Corn + Tomato + Avocado– these taste great together.
• Jicama– this is a root vegetable native to Mexico. It tastes similar to an apple, but not as sweet.
• Monterey Jack Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese– either of these works great.
• Ranch Dressing- I prefer Hidden Valley, but use whatever you like best!
• Grilled Chicken Breast– I used 1 breast and diced it up. You may want to add more.
• BBQ Sauce– I used KC Masterpiece, but you can use whatever you like.

How to Make CPK BBQ Chicken Salad | Directions

Because this is a salad, the prep is pretty simple. Wash and cut your veggies, toss with dressing, add in grilled chicken and avocado, and top it with a drizzle of bbq sauce! Yum!

Step 1: Combine in Bowl

In a large bowl, combine lettuce with basil, cilantro, black beans, corn, cheese and jicama. Toss with ranch dressing {as much as you’d like} and divide between two serving bowls

Step 2: Add Tomato + Avocado + Grilled Chicken

Place diced tomatoes around the edges of each bowl, top with avocado slices and diced grilled chicken. Drizzle bbq sauce over top the whole thing and serve.

*If you did not grill your chicken with BBQ sauce, dice your cooled chicken breast, toss in a little bbq sauce, place on salad and drizzle with more sauce.

Want To Make CPK BBQ Salad Ahead of Time?

To make CPK BBQ Chicken Salad ahead of time, simply chop and combine everything except the avocados, tomatoes and dressing. Refrigerate the dressing and salad separately, then when ready to serve, toss salad in ranch dressing, then, add the tomato and ripe avocado and top with a drizzle of BBQ sauce.

If you let the salad and dressing mingle too long together in the fridge things tend to get soggy, that’s why it’s best to wait until you’re ready to devour this salad.

Leftovers

Any leftover CPK BBQ Chicken Salad can be refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days. 

More BBQ Recipes to Try!

• Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
• BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
• Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders
• Honey BBQ Chicken Bites
• BBQ Chicken Nachos Recipe

Enjoy this copycat CPK BBQ Chicken Salad recipe! This makes for a wonderful healthy lunch or dinner!

The printable recipe card is below. Be sure to print/pin/save/bookmark/share this recipe because its a crowd pleaser and you won’t be sorry you did! Have a great day, friends! 🙂

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5 from 9 votes

CPK BBQ Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)

This CPK BBQ Chicken Salad is one you're going to want to make! Light, very flavorful, and cheaper than going to a restaurant! Holla!

servings 2 serving

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
• ▢ 3 large fresh basil leaves chopped
• ▢ 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
• ▢ 1/4 cup black beans rinsed and drained
• ▢ 1/4 cup sweet corn drained
• ▢ 1/4 cup monterey jack cheese or mozzarella cheese (grated)
• ▢ 1/4 cup jicama peeled and diced
• ▢ 1/4-1/2 cup prepared ranch dressing such as Hidden Valley
• ▢ 1 large tomato diced
• ▢ 1 ripe avocado sliced
• ▢ 1 leftover grilled chicken breast chilled and diced
• ▢ 1/4-1/2 cup prepared bbq sauce such as KC Masterpiece Original

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine lettuce with basil, cilantro, black beans, corn, cheese and jicama. Toss with ranch dressing {as much as you'd like} and divide between two serving bowls.
• Place diced tomatoes around the edges of each bowl, top with avocado slices and diced grilled chicken. Drizzle bbq sauce over top the whole thing and serve.
• *If you did not grill your chicken with BBQ sauce, dice your cooled chicken breast, toss in a little bbq sauce, place on salad and drizzle with more sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 792mg | Potassium: 1179mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 9404IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 3mg

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: CPK BBQ Chicken Salad