Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
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Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
When the warmer months call for a nutritious and satisfying meal, this Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad recipe is the answer. Elevate your lunch or dinner with a burst of color, flavor, and nutrients with juicy chicken + vibrant veggies like carrots, cucumbers, corn, edamame, nuts, and more. Entirely dairy-free. Vegan, Gluten-Free, + Make ahead options.
If you're a lover of salads, then you'll definitely enjoy this one. This Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad recipe is both elaborate and so easy to make. You can even prepare it ahead of time and store this salad in the fridge for an easy on-the-go lunch or weeknight dinner. This is one healthy recipe that will have you feeling your best and it's super filling.
Alright, real talk – my first time eating kale? Total disaster. I couldn't stand it. Fast forward to the "aha" moment – figured out the whole massaging thing (who knew, right?). Now I add it to everything from salads to soups, smoothies, pasta--- even pizza. The health benefits are my secret weapon so sprinkle kale goodness wherever I can nowadays. Haha.
When I discovered chopped salads-----my whole view on salads shifted. Haha. Every forkful gives you that perfect bite – a game-changer in the salad department! The most amazing part of this kale salad is that it's hearty + dairy-free which makes it perfect for the entire family. Of course, you can mix and match ingredients to meet the needs of all of the eaters in your family.
Now, I'm so proud of myself for the salads that I make for my family and I, including this Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad, and despite the many parts----it's just SO GOOD, ya'll! I promise that it's worth it! If you love salads then definitely try these out next-- Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad, Spicy Chipotle Sweet Potato Chopped Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad with Cornbread Croutons, and Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad.
Jump to:
- Why You Will LOVE This Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
- What is Chopped Salad?
- How To Make BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
- How to Make Herb-Roasted Tomatoes
- How to Make Homemade Croutons
- Dairy-Free Lemon-Garlic Salad Dressing
- Why + How to Massage Kale
- What Can Be Used Instead of Kale in this Salad?
- How to Make Chopped Salad with a Food Processor
- Can I Add More More Ingredients to this Salad?
- Can I Swap Any Ingredients in this Chopped Salad?
- What to Eat With This BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
- BBQ Chopped Kale Salad Recipe Q + A's
- More Delicious Veggie Packed Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
Why You Will LOVE This Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
- An epic explosion of taste with every forkful!
- Incredibly versatile--- customize it with your favorite veggies + protein options, making it a hit for everyone.
- Packed with vitamins + antioxidants
- Super delicious + colorful
- Works as a main meal OR side with GF + vegan options.
- Perfectly creamy + crunchy thanks to the creamy dressings, croutons + crisp veggies.
What is Chopped Salad?
OK, so if this is your first time hearing about chopped salad, then I've got you covered. Basically, the difference between chopped salad and regular salad is that all of the ingredients are chopped and incorporated versus it being layered.
It definitely creates the perfect bite that makes a real difference when eating it.
How To Make BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
Ready to get in the kitchen to whip up this ultimate summer kale salad? The most important element is gathering + prepping your ingredients!
INGREDIENTS
The ingredients for this salad recipe are simple and easy to customize based on what’s in your kitchen:
- Chicken breasts. You’ll want two whole organic chicken breasts for this salad.
- Olive oil. Use a nice high-quality extra-virgin olive oil to roast the tomatoes.
- Nuts. Pecans and walnuts are my favorite pairing with maple syrup, but feel free to use any nut or seed you have on hand.
- Maple syrup. You can also use honey if you’d like.
- Kale. Be sure to chop your kale leaves well into bite-sized pieces. No one likes feeling like they have to chew for 5 minutes to get through a tough leaf of kale! If you prefer a different leafy green, you can use spinach, romaine, butter lettuce, or another favorite salad base. For an extra touch, I chose to roast my kale for a nice crisp!
- Veggies. For this salad, I used corn, edamame, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
- Paprika, Oregano, Thyme, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Parsley, Salt and Black pepper add a hint of spice to the dish.
- Croutons. Feel free to use your favorite gluten-free croutons if necessary! You can use store-bought or make your own croutons with a loaf of stale bread as directed.
- Salad dressing. Use your favorite homemade or store-bought dressing to bring this salad to life! I made my favorite homemade creamy lemon garlic dressing which adds a great bold flavor.
How to Make Herb-Roasted Tomatoes
The key to this recipe is to start with great-quality tomatoes. Choose a mix of large and cherries, and several different colors if you can find them.
INGREDIENTS
- Tomatoes. You can add as many tomatoes as will fit on your baking sheet.
- Olive oil. Don’t skimp on the oil! It helps concentrate the tomato flavor and makes a nice jammy texture. You can use these roasted tomatoes like a dressing or sauce.
- Dried herbs. I like a mixture of Italian herbs like oregano, basil and parsley. But you can mix up the seasonings with other fresh or dried herbs. Thyme, rosemary, marjoram and tarragon are all delicious with tomatoes.
- Spices. Likewise, feel free to play with different spices in your roasted tomatoes. I like paprika, garlic powder and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS SALAD!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this BBQ Chopped Kale Salad. Everything from my fave loaf pan, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How to Make Homemade Croutons
This BBQ chopped salad is easy to throw together, but the highlight like many salads is definitely the homemade croutons. While you might think that it's so hard to make----I'm here to show you just how easy it is, using the following ingredients:
- Rustic bread, cubed into ¾ inches
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Dried parsley
- Salt + Black pepper
See the full Homemade Croutons recipe HERE for a more in-depth guide + tips.
Dairy-Free Lemon-Garlic Salad Dressing
This creamy lemon-garlic dressing ties the salad together. It gives it body, heft, and a silky-smooth texture you'll love.
Here’s what you need to make dairy-free dressing:
- Garlic. I amp up the garlic flavor by using both fresh and dried.
- Vegan mayonnaise. You can use any brand you like. If you’re not vegan, feel free to use regular mayo.
- Almond milk. Feel free to use a different dairy-free milk.
- Lemon juice + zest. Make sure it’s freshly squeezed for the best flavor!
- Dried parsley. A different herb like basil or oregano will also work.
MY OTHER FAVORITE DAIRY-FREE DRESSINGS
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing
- Creamy Chipotle Dressing
- Homemade Green Goddess Dressing
- Homemade Pesto
Why + How to Massage Kale
When it comes to massaging kale, it's usually recommended because kale is known for being tough and fibrous, which makes it sometimes hard to chew and digest. However, massaging the kale softens it a great deal and helps the flavors to be more pronounced which works hand in hand with the other ingredients.
My easy method to massage kale is to add the de-stemmed and chopped kale to a large bowl and then drizzling it with 1-2 tsps of lemon juice or Extra virgin olive oil and using your clean hands, rubbing the leaves together gently for about 2-3 minutes. They should look glossy and slightly reduced in volume when massaging is achieved.
What Can Be Used Instead of Kale in this Salad?
Although kale is the most common veggie that I love to use as my salad base, you can definitely use other greens such as romaine lettuce, spinach, collard greens, bokchoy, etc. for a nice twist! When it comes to vegetables, there are so many benefits as we all know. While some veggies pack a greater punch when it comes to nutrients, we’ve curated a special list of our Top 12 Favorite Healthy Green Leafy Vegetables! Most of these are super popular while others are underutilized in many dishes. Lettuce Eat, Shall We?
How to Make Chopped Salad with a Food Processor
For greater ease, you can easily chop your ingredients in a food processor for the perfect bite. I suggest first starting with solely the kale leaves once they are de-stemmed. Add them to your food processor and pulse for a few seconds before they are too minced. Then remove those chopped greens and place them into a bowl and work your way through the other ingredients (all processed separately).
Once all ingredients are chopped, add them together in a bowl and continue the recipe.
Can I Add More More Ingredients to this Salad?
Definitely! This is a great recipe to mix and match the ingredients/toppings. For added nutrients, fiber, and color, add your favorite veggies + protein.
Here are some additions that would go well in this salad:
- Beans + legumes (i.e. chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
- Other greens (i.e. spinach, lettuce, mixed greens, arugula, mustard greens, etc.)
- Shredded chicken, shrimp, steak, and salmon (if you're a meat eater)
- Tofu, mushrooms, tempeh, etc. (Great meat alternatives)
- Homemade croutons, baked tortilla, or pita chips
- Roasted veggies (i.e. asparagus, sweet potatoes, zucchini, butternut squash, etc.)
- Cheese, either dairy or plant-based (feta cheese would be especially nice in this salad)
- Nuts + seeds (i.e. pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, etc.)
- Sweet potatoes or roasted butternut squash
- Grains like farro, quinoa, couscous, etc.
- Boiled or poached eggs
- Mushrooms
- Candied bacon
Can I Swap Any Ingredients in this Chopped Salad?
Sure! It’s easy to make this chopped salad your own. Here are some simple ingredient swaps and additions to try:
- Use seeds or other nuts instead of pecans + walnuts
- Swap out the corn or edamame for onions, avocado, or bell peppers
- Use spinach or arugula instead of kale
- Try a different salad dressing: something lighter and less creamy works too
- Add crispy chickpeas for more crunch
- Add a different protein like Salmon, Tuna, Bacon, Shrimp, or Beans
What to Eat With This BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
You can enjoy this kale salad on its own as a nice lunch or dinner. Of course, you can also enjoy it as a side dish!
If you're offering this salad as a side dish, I personally love it paired with a warming entree like:
- Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Apple Cheddar Sweet Potato Soup
- Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Creamy Lemon Broccoli Tortellini Soup
- Roasted Carrot Soup + Cheesy Croutons
- Creamy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup
For a hearty bite, I also enjoy this kale salad with the following:
- Pan Seared Steak Recipe
- Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken
- Skillet Baked Cheesy Pumpkin Gnocchi
- Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken
- Creamy Blackened Chicken Rigatoni Pasta
BBQ Chopped Kale Salad Recipe Q + A's
You can prep this hearty Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad up to two days ahead of time. The roasted tomatoes, chicken and chopped veggies can be made up to 2 days beforehand and stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. The dressing can be made and refrigerated in a separate airtight container. The salad can be tossed up to 30 minutes before serving.
Leftover BBQ Chopped Kale Salad can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, depending on the ingredients. Always determine the ingredients in your salad and keep it no longer than the shelf life of your fastest-spoiling ingredient.
To make this salad vegan, simply omit the chicken and substitute with your favorite meat substitute (chickpeas, beans, tofu, quinoa, etc.) and ensure that the other ingredients (BBQ sauce and bread) are vegan-friendly.
Simply omit the croutons or make your own GF croutons with your favorite gluten-free bread.
More Delicious Veggie Packed Recipes
Now that you've fallen in love with this Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad recipe, put to good use your remaining produce with these great family-friendly dinner recipes:
- Vegan Jamaican Stew Peas
- Chipotle BBQ Butternut Squash Tacos
- Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells with Quinoa + Kale
- Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad
- Healthy Loaded Kale Salad with Spicy Chickpeas
- Quick + Easy Blood Orange Kale Salad
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
Ingredients
BBQ CHICKEN:
- 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts
- 2 cups BBQ sauce, premium
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
SALAD:
- 2 bunches organic kale, de-stemmed + chopped
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- 2 carrots, peeled + chopped
- 2 organic cucumbers, peeled + chopped
- 2 cups Herb Roasted Tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sweet corn, cooked + drained
- 1 cup shelled edamame, cooked + drained
DAIRY-FREE CREAMY LEMON GARLIC DRESSING:
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Almond milk
- 4 garlic cloves, miced
- ½ lemon, freshly-squeezed
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Pinch of sea salt + black pepper
HOMEMADE CROUTONS:
- 4 cups rustic bread, cubed into ¾ inches (I like to use sourdough bread)
- ⅓ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsps Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Pinch of sea salt + black pepper
Instructions
TO BAKE THE BBQ CHICKEN:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Clean and rinse the chicken breasts, pat dry, and season with garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, salt + black pepper. Place seasoned chicken unto the prepared baking sheet. Top each chicken with about ½ cup of BBQ sauce and save the remaining sauce for later.
- Bake the chicken breasts for the first 20-25 minutes, before topping the chicken with the remaining BBQ sauce and bake for the remaining 10 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through when tested with a knife or fork. Once cool enough to handle, chop chicken into medium chunks or strips using a knife.
TO MAKE THE HOMEMADE CROUTONS:
- Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, add the cubed bread, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper, tossing everything together until bread is fully coated. Add the bread unto the baking sheet (spreading it out evenly) and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the bread has become golden and are crisp. Remove and let it cool.
MAKE THE CANDIED NUTS:
- In a bowl, add the chopped pecans and walnuts along with the maple syrup and cinnamon. Stir and toss until the nuts are fully coated. Transfer the nuts to a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper) and arrange into an even layer.
- Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until the nuts are browned and fragrant, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
CHOP + MASSAGE KALE:
- Strip the leaves from 2 large bunches kale and discard the stems. Coarsely chop the leaves and add them to a large bowl. Drizzle about 1-2 tsps of lemon juice or olive oil atop chopped kale and using clean hands, rub together the kale gently for about 2-3 minutes to soften the leaves and help to infuse the 'flavors' of the kale.
TO MAKE DRESSING:
- In a bowl or sealable jar, add the vegan mayo, almond milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Seal the jar and shake or whisk together until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:
- To the bowl with the kale, add the chopped BBQ chicken, candied nuts, chopped carrots, cooked corn, edamame, chopped cucumbers, roasted tomatoes, and croutons, tossing everything together. NOTE: At this point, you can add the dressing to the salad and toss again to combine OR set aside until serving.
- Serve and enjoy.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, depending on the ingredients. Always determine the ingredients in your salad and keep it no longer than the shelf life of your fastest-spoiling ingredient.
- MAKE AHEAD: The roasted tomatoes, chicken and chopped veggies can be made up to 2 days beforehand and stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. The dressing can be made and refrigerated in a separate airtight container. The salad can be tossed up to 30 minutes before serving.
- HERB ROASTED TOMATOES: To see the recipe, tap this link.
- GREENS: If preferred, you can always add greens like Romaine lettuce, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Microgreens, Spinach or Collard Greens to this salad for added flavor + texture.
- VEGAN OPTION: To make this salad vegan, simply omit the chicken and substitute with your favorite meat substitute (chickpeas, beans, tofu, quinoa, etc.) and ensure that the other ingredients (BBQ sauce and bread) are vegan-friendly.
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?
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LET US KNOW!
I made this recipe tonight and it was soooo good. Never thought to add BBQ chicken to my Kale salads. I used boneless chicken thighs (what I had on hand) along with fennel, shredded carrots, cabbage, and yellow bell pepper for veggies. For the dressing, I made my favorite Lemon Tahini. It was soo delicious. I forgot to make the croutons. I will be making again real soon and adding the croutons this time. Even the kids loved it and it's hard getting them to eat a Kale salad without drenching it in ranch dressing but they enjoyed the favors and the dressing. Thanks for the inspiration and recipe.
Jo
Hi Jo! OMG---this makes me so happy! I'm so glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed this one! I definitely love fully loaded salads and switching it up is always a god idea! Thanks so much for choosing to make my recipe! 🙂
I could eat this every day this summer! So delicious and the dressing is divine!
Hi Michell! OMG---I'm so happy to hear that! This is definitely a salad that's on rotation in my house! Thanks so much for giving it a try! 🙂
What an incredible salad. It truly is the ultimate. I can't wait to make this for my family.
Love how easy this recipe is. Can’t wait to try it this weekend. thank you for the recipe!
Fantastic salad! Makes up for a full meal!
Healthy Salad and delicious flavors. Make this Salad unique.