Tomorrow my little family is flying to California for a Brennan family reunion. Should be fun!! I’m so thrilled that we get to fly! Driving 13 hours with a two month old just does not sound appealing. I apologize in advance for the instagram overload. It’s bound to happen. So, in honor of us heading south for a few days, I decided to post this copycat BBQ Chicken Salad recipe from California Pizza Kitchen.
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.
I asked them what I should order.
They both said this salad.
So I ordered it and 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 🙂 I’ve tried to recreate their BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad as best as I could. It’s obviously not the exact same salad, but it’s pretty darn close replica if I do say so myself! 
While I was snapping some photos, my 4 year old snatched up the fork and went to town. Soooo, not too many photos of this recipe today! LOL! I also didn’t include step-by-steps either because they’d be boring. It’s a salad. Easy peasy to throw together! PROMISE!
A great way to get kiddies and husbands to eat their veggies! Enjoy!! xoxo
California Pizza Kitchen's Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
This is one salad you're going to want to make! Light, very flavorful and cheaper than going to a restaurant! Holla!
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 3 large fresh basil leaves chopped
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup rinsed and drained black beans
- 1/4 cup drained sweet corn
- 1/4 cup grated monterey jack or mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup peeled and diced jicama
- 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
Instructions
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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.
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*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.
Cookbook Queen says
July 3, 2013 at 3:55 amCan you believe we don’t have a California Pizza Kitchen here? 🙁 Sigh. This recipe looks fab — chopped salads are the best!!
Tieghan says
July 3, 2013 at 4:41 amThis recipe looks amazing! What and awesome, fresh, pretty and delicious summer salad!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
July 3, 2013 at 4:53 amI would absolutely devour this in 1 second flat… okay maybe not but I could try.
[email protected] says
July 3, 2013 at 5:09 amThis sounds so incredible! I could easily eat a HUGE bowl
Ja says
July 3, 2013 at 5:18 amLove this salad! So gorgeous!
Wil says
July 3, 2013 at 6:53 amEnjoy your visit out here. Weather should be nice. You just missed the heat wave.
Deborah says
July 3, 2013 at 7:03 amI have been all over chopped salads lately and need to add this one to my list!
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen says
July 3, 2013 at 7:20 amThis is what I order pretty much every time we go to CPK. It’s one of those things you have and then you crave like crazy for a week after! You have totally nailed it Lauren. I’m so craving this darn salad now!
Kristi says
July 3, 2013 at 7:46 amI have never been to California Pizza, but I imagine it’s delicioud.
Chopped salads are my absolute favorite. I’ve been making them more and more at home.
amy d. says
July 3, 2013 at 12:56 pmThese Amys sound really cool.
Lauren says
July 4, 2013 at 6:29 amBahahahaha!!
The L.A. Lady says
July 3, 2013 at 1:12 pm“drizzle with more sauce.”
Not. A. Problem.
🙂
Thanks for the recipe. This is perfect!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
July 4, 2013 at 1:44 pmLOVE chopped salads in summer. So easy, summery, delicious and colorful. Even kids can’t resist, so I guess it’s a good sign of a GREAT recipe 🙂
Happy 4th, Lauren 🙂
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
July 4, 2013 at 10:13 pmHave a great time in CA! And this salad is the best! I absolutely LOVE CPK’s chopped salad but it’s way overpriced!
Kathy says
July 5, 2013 at 11:24 amI went to CPK in Orlando a few weeks ago and loved it! I can’t wait to try this salad!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
July 5, 2013 at 8:28 pmI have never had this salad! It looks so yummy and I’m all about the toppings!
Nikki @Seeded at the Table says
July 7, 2013 at 10:10 amWe had CPK in Chicago, but sadly not here in Mississippi. Next time I’m at one, though, I’m trying this chopped salad! I’m a sucker for them, too, especially from Portillo’s (if you ever go to Chicago…try it!). Or, just make the copycat from my blog.
Either way, have fun in California! (And, am I the only one who always accidentally says “California Pizza CHICKEN”?)
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats says
July 12, 2013 at 7:06 amThis salad sounds fantastic! IT has all of my favorite things!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
July 18, 2013 at 7:23 pmOh my gosh! My best friend and I would go to CPK at least once a week in the Summer during High School and we would both always get this salad. It’s amazing and I haven’t had it in years! Thanks!
ps- the few photos you were able to capture are beautiful, so no worries!
G.Anderson says
July 27, 2013 at 11:07 amI worked at CPK for a long time…Recipe is pretty close. It’s missing the corn chips for extra crunch! 😀
Deborah says
July 29, 2013 at 4:31 pmAnother great recipe. My husband had seconds! My 14 month old loved it as well. Can’t wait to try the next recipe!
Rissa says
November 8, 2013 at 12:34 pmHi- I thought you might like to know that http://instagram.com/sarafit_nf is taking credit for your photo. http://instagram.com/p/gbOpkVSk8X/
Kurt says
November 12, 2013 at 7:44 pmThis looks amazing! I am so going to make this and I already know it’s going to be a crowd fav! Thanks so much!
Francois says
December 8, 2013 at 3:16 pmJust got one at California Pizza Santa Ana. Simply gorgious. Thanks for having posted this recipe. I’ll bring it back to France in my baggages.
Michael K says
March 9, 2014 at 6:09 pmMy wife also loves this salad and we will go to CPK for it specifically (the pizza stinks). I made this recipe at home and it came out wonderfully, thanks for sharing!
BusyWorkingMama says
January 5, 2015 at 8:01 amThis is my favorite salad and I always, always order it at CPK. I don’t like their ranch dressing, though, and substitute the balsamic vinaigrette. Great copy cat recipe!
Linda Ahearn says
May 13, 2015 at 6:26 pmThank you so much