BBQ, Buffalo Chicken Salad, 9 points+

Happy Wednesday all!  Thanks for sharing your Laughing Cow ideas.  I had NO IDEA that they now have Cinnamon and Buffalo flavored Laughing Cow Cheeses.  I seriously NEED to find them now.

This morning I couldn’t decide what sounded good for breakfast.  I actually packed a banana and hard boiled egg plus another Fage 0% Yogurt with granola and fruit like yesterday.

As I walked to work from the train in the rain, I decided I NEEDED something warm LOL.

Not just anything, but, my one of my FAVORITE dishes that is custom made at our café.

Veggie Egg White Omelet without cheese with 2 slices of bacon on the side (6 points+)

Topped with a bunch of homemade fresh green salsa.  The grilled veggies add a delicious smoky flavor.

Mid morning, I snacked on a banana and Trader Joe’s Lite String Cheese (1 points+).

I had meetings ALL DAY today so I didn’t have a chance to get out for a walk.  It is days like today that make me “glad” that I walk to/from the train and am working on ALWAYS taking the stairs.

Lunch was the rest of the Penne with Sausage, Veggies & Spicy Queso Fredo.  It is just as tasty the next day (7 points+).

I actually packed a side salad to go with my lunch, but, when I sat down and thought about what I really wanted, it was more of these Tia Sweet BBQ Chips.

So, I went with it ~ sometimes you just need that salty crunch. (4 points+)

Remember the Sea Salt & Vinegar Almonds?! I opened another can and had 1/2 an ounce with an apple for my afternoon snack (2 points+)

When I walked in the door The Husband surprised me with Dum Dums and Jolly Ranchers!!! Remember how I said I wanted to get some yesterday….he saw that and went out just to get me some today ~ LOVE!

He also whipped up one FANTASTIC delicious dinner with his spin on my 20 Minute Crunchy Buffalo Chicken Salads.

We both LOVE BBQ anything, Buffalo Chicken, “Southern Fried Chicken” and Ranch.  This salad takes all of these piled high with a bunch of crisp vegetables to make one amazing crunchy, sweet, spicy, cool ranch salad you would never guess is healthy. 

What more can I say other than you NEED to try this!

BBQ BUFFALO CHICKEN SALAD (print it!)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups organic romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup organic mixed greens
• 1/4 cup red cabbage
• 1 celery stalk, sliced
• 1/4 cup orange or red bell pepper, sliced
• 1/4 cup cucumber, sliced
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 2 Trader Joe’s Breaded Chicken Breast tenders (3 points+ each)
• 2 Tbsp Frank’s Hot Sauce
• 1 Tbsp BBQ Sauce
• 2 Tbsp Bolthouse Ranch Dressing (2 points+ for 2 Tbsp)
• 1 Tbsp Black Pepper Sliced Almonds, optional (1 points+)

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Cook chicken tenders according to the packaged instructions.

2.  Toss romaine, mixed greens and cabbage together.  Top salad mix with celery, bell pepper, cucumber and tomato slices.

3.  Toss cooked chicken tenders in the Frank’s Hot Sauce, then place on top of salad.  Drizzle with BBQ sauce, ranch and sprinkle with almonds if using.

**NOTE: Make this VEGETARIN by using Chickenless Tenders, breaded or fried tofu.

Makes 1 HUGE @$$ Crispy BBQ Buffalo Chicken Salad, 9 points+

Nutritional information for the ENTIRE salad calculated at caloriecount.com

STEP – BY – STEP

The “secret” is totally in THE SAUCES!  I LOVE Bolthouse Ranch ~ it’s one of the few bottled dressings that doesn’t taste like bottled.  The ranch blends perfectly with the sweet BBQ sauce and helps to cool off Frank’s Hot Sauce.

While the chicken cooks, build your salad.

Toss the chicken tenders in the Frank’s Hot Sauce then drizzle the entire salad with BBQ sauce.

Sprinkle with almonds & croutons (tossed on at the last minute).

Drizzle with ranch and dig into this completely healthy CRISPY, BBQ Buffalo Chicken Salad.

Dessert ~ 2 Dum Dums ~ Root Beer & Fruit Punch (1 points+).

Night all!