BBQ Chopped Salad w/ Cilantro Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 1 can chickpeas
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 heads romaine
  • Shredded cheddar, to taste
  • 2 green onions
  • ½ cup shelled sunflower seeds

For the dressing

  • 1/2 cup bottled salsa verde
  • 1 (0.4 oz) packet buttermilk ranch dressing mix (or the homemade equivalent)
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3 tbsp. sour cream
  • 3 tbsp. mayonnaise
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/8 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp sugar or honey
  • Few shakes of your favorite hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse chickpeas and add to skillet/pot with the BBQ sauce over low-medium heat. Cook until BBQ sauce reduces and sticks to chickpeas, 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. Add all ingredients for dressing into blender and blend until smooth.
  3. Place lettuce in bowls and top with chickpeas, sunflower seeds, green onion, shredded cheddar, and dressing.