A paleo chicken salad at Qdoba is a salad made with grilled adobo chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocados, and ranch dressing. It follows the principles of the paleo or paleolithic diet, which involves eating whole, unprocessed foods that humans would have eaten during the paleolithic era. This includes meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. The paleo diet excludes grains, legumes, dairy, salty and sugary processed foods. The paleo chicken salad at Qdoba contains no grains or legumes and uses ranch dressing made with paleo-friendly ingredients. This makes it an on-menu paleo option at the popular fast casual Mexican restaurant chain.
What is the paleo diet?
The paleo diet, also known as the paleolithic diet, caveman diet or stone-age diet, mimics the eating habits of hunter-gatherers during the paleolithic era which dates back to around 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. It focuses on foods that could be hunted, fished or gathered such as meat, fish, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruits, roots, nuts and seeds. Foods that require agriculture or modern processing like grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, sugar and highly refined oils are eliminated. The rationale is that the human genome evolved eating this hunter-gatherer diet and our bodies are best adapted to these whole, unprocessed foods. The paleo diet excludes foods that became widely available after the agricultural revolution such as grains, which only entered the human diet around 10,000 years ago. Proponents claim this evolutionary mismatch between our modern diets and ancient bodies has caused chronic disease. Reverting to a paleo-style diet is touted to improve health and wellbeing.
Allowed foods
The paleo diet allows:
- Meat – beef, lamb, pork, goat etc.
- Poultry – chicken, turkey, duck etc.
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy oils – olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil etc.
- Natural sweeteners – honey, maple syrup etc. (in moderation)
The emphasis is on pasture-raised, grass-fed and wild-caught options to mimic the proteins consumed in the paleolithic era.
Foods to avoid
The paleo diet restricts:
- Grains – wheat, barley, rice, oats, corn etc.
- Legumes – beans, peas, lentils, peanuts etc.
- Dairy – milk, cheese, yogurt, butter etc.
- Refined sugars
- Processed foods
- Salt
- Refined vegetable oils
- Artificial sweeteners
Basically any food product that requires extensive processing or did not exist before modern agriculture is off the table.
Benefits of the paleo diet
Potential benefits of the paleo diet include:
- Weight loss – the focus on whole, filling foods can promote satiety and reduce calorie intake.
- Reduced inflammation – the exclusion of processed foods can decrease inflammatory triggers.
- Improved metabolic health – lowering refined carbs may benefit blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.
- Increased nutrient intake – emphasis on fruits, veggies, proteins and fats ensures robust nutrient consumption.
- Improved heart health – diet eliminates refined carbs and trans fats that impact cholesterol.
However, the diet is controversial in the scientific community. Critics argue it unnecessarily vilifies healthy whole grains, dairy and legumes. More research is needed on its long-term health effects.
Main Components of a Paleo Chicken Salad
A basic paleo chicken salad contains:
Grilled Chicken
Chicken breast or thighs grilled without breading or batter. Grilling adds flavor without unhealthy oils.
Leafy Greens
Romaine lettuce or spinach provide fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Vegetables
Onions, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, carrots etc. Variety adds nutrients and crunch.
Avocado
Avocados are a paleo superfood, providing healthy fats and creaminess.
Nuts/Seeds
Walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds etc. for added crunch and nutritional boost.
Oil and Vinegar
Olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar make a simple paleo dressing.
Herbs/Spices
Salt, pepper, oregano, basil and other herbs flavor up the salad.
How Qdoba Makes Their Salad Paleo-Friendly
Qdoba specifically tailors their chicken salad to meet paleo guidelines:
- Uses grilled adobo chicken seasoned with spices, no breading
- Omits grains and legumes – no corn, rice, beans etc.
- Leaves out cheese and other dairy products
- Uses ranch dressing made with paleo-approved ingredients
- Adds fresh tomatoes, onions, avocados
- Serves in lettuce wrap instead of tortilla
This allows those following a paleo plan to enjoy a flavorful, satisfying salad at the popular Mexican chain.
Nutritional Profile
Here is the approximate nutritional breakdown for a regular paleo chicken salad from Qdoba based on available nutrition data:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 620 |
| Protein | 46g |
| Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Fiber | 10g |
| Sugar | 6g |
| Fat | 45g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
This provides a substantial amount of protein and healthy fats along with micronutrients from fresh produce. The paleo salad has a solid nutritional profile in line with the diet’s principles.
Cost
As of October 2023, the paleo chicken salad from Qdoba costs approximately $11-$12 on average depending on location. This is in line with other entree-sized salads. Getting the salad in a lettuce wrap instead of a tortilla bowl does not appear to affect pricing. Overall the paleo salad provides a filling, flavorful meal at a reasonable cost considering the exclusively whole food ingredients.
Customization Options
Qdoba offers some ways to customize your paleo chicken salad:
- Grilled steak or portobello mushroom instead of chicken
- Romaine or spinach as base
- Extra vegetables like jalapenos, roasted red peppers, etc.
- Guacamole
- Omitting ranch dressing or using olive oil & vinegar instead
- Adding extra salsa
- Served in lettuce wrap or salad bowl
This allows customers to tailor the salad to meet their personal preferences while remaining compliant with the paleo diet. You can modify it to be lower carb, vegetarian, dairy-free, etc.
Taste Reviews
Here are some reviews of the taste and quality of the paleo chicken salad from Qdoba customers:
“The grilled adobo chicken had amazing flavor and the lettuce wrap made it feel fresh. I loved all the veggies – the avocado and tomato tasted super fresh.”
“The salad was huge and filling. I was satisfied even without the grains. Great paleo option when eating out with friends.”
“The chicken and veggies were tasty but I wished the ranch dressing had more zing. I opted to add extra salsa which gave it a nice zesty kick.”
“It’s awesome Qdoba offers a salad specifically designed for paleo. The ingredients tasted very fresh and high quality.”
“At only $2 more for steak instead of chicken, I opted for steak which was so tender and delicious. It really took the salad to the next level.”
The consensus is the salad provides tasty, high quality ingredients in line with the paleo diet at a reasonable price point. Customers seem overall pleased with the flavor and portion sizes.
Alternatives in Other Restaurants
Qdoba’s paleo salad is unique in specifically catering to the paleo diet, but other restaurants also offer dishes that may fit paleo guidelines:
- Chipotle – salad bowl with meat, fajita veggies, lettuce, salsa and guacamole (no rice, beans or dairy)
- Subway – salad with double meat and lots of veggies (no bread or cheese)
- Wendy’s – grilled chicken salad with paleo-friendly dressing
- Applebee’s – grilled chicken salad with modifications
- Cheesecake Factory – lettuce wrapped burger with side salad
Due to its simplicity and customizable nature, the paleo diet can be followed at most restaurants with some careful menu substitutions. But Qdoba’s specific paleo salad makes it an especially convenient option.
Conclusion
The paleo chicken salad at Qdoba provides an optimal meal for following a paleo diet – full of protein, fresh produce and healthy fats with no grains, dairy or legumes. The grilled adobo chicken offers great flavor and various customizations allow you to tailor the salad to your own needs and preferences. While not cheap, it offers quality ingredients at a moderate cost. Qdoba’s paleo salad makes sticking to this challenging diet a little easier for fans of the fast casual chain. It’s a delicious and satisfying option for paleo eaters on the go.