This delicious BBQ chicken salad with Ranch is easy and takes less than 15 minutes to make—the perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
why BBQ Chicken Salad
Balanced Nutrition: If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious lunch option, BBQ chicken salads is a winner! The grilled chicken gives you high-quality protein, while the veggies pack in a variety of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. With a splash of tangy dressing to top it off, this salad becomes both satisfying and delicious—plus it adds some healthy fats to your meal!
Adaptable Ingredients: The adaptability of a barbecue chicken salad is one of its greatest features. The ingredients can be changed according to what’s in season or what you already have. You may simply modify the salad to fit your taste and nutritional requirements, whether you want to add avocado, corn, black beans, or a variety of greens.
Easy to Prepare: A BBQ chicken salad is surprisingly simple to make, even with its spectacular appearance. You may quickly prepare this salad by chopping some veggies and pre-grilling some chicken. It’s ideal when you want to make a nutritious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen, especially on hectic weeknights.
I like a hearty entrée salad, and our recipe for BBQ Chicken Salad is one of my favorites! This salad, loaded with so many fresh ingredients, never fails to please. I think this is one of my all-time favorite summer salads, and I eat it all year long!
One of our favorite salads to make ahead of time is our BBQ chicken salad. It only takes a few minutes to put everything together and enjoy when you’re ready to get started!
Key Ingredients for the Perfect BBQ Chicken Salads
The beauty of BBQ chicken salad lies in its simplicity, but there are a few key ingredients that really make it stand out:
- Chicken Breast: The star of the show. You can grill, bake, or even slow-cook the chicken, but make sure to coat it with your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Fresh Vegetables: Crisp greens like romaine lettuce or spinach, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and sliced red onions add crunch and flavor.
- BBQ Sauce: Choose a sauce that complements the smoky chicken without overpowering the salad. You can even make your own for a healthier option.
How to Make a BBQ Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 4 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, arugula)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halves
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (grilled or canned)
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Ranch or creamy dressing (optional)
How To make BBQ chicken salads
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the chicken:
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken for 6–8 minutes on each side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once done, brush the grilled chicken with BBQ sauce and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
2. Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens.
- Layer with cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese.
3. Add the Chicken:
- Top the salad with the sliced BBQ chicken.
- Drizzle extra BBQ sauce over the salad for a rich flavor.
4. Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the salad as a garnish.
- Serve with a side of ranch or creamy dressing, if desired.
What Is BBQ Chicken Salad?
BBQ chicken salad is a tasty and easy-to-make dish. It usually includes tender BBQ chicken breast mixed with fresh greens, crunchy veggies, and a drizzle of smoky-sweet BBQ sauce. The smoky flavor of the BBQ chicken pairs perfectly with the crisp vegetables, making every bite delicious and full of contrast.
Tasty Variations of BBQ Chicken Salad
For a twist on the classic, try making a Southwestern BBQ Chicken Salad by adding black beans, cheddar cheese, and a lime-infused dressing. You can also turn your salad into a wrap or sandwich for a heartier meal.
BBQ chicken salad
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 4 cups mixed greens romaine, spinach, arugula
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 avocado sliced
- 1/2 cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup corn kernels grilled or canned
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese cheddar or Monterey Jack
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Ranch or creamy dressing optional
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once done, brush the grilled chicken with BBQ sauce and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens.
- Layer with cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese.
Add the Chicken:
- Top the salad with the sliced BBQ chicken.
- Drizzle extra BBQ sauce over the salad for a rich flavor.
Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the salad as a garnish.
- Serve with a side of ranch or creamy dressing, if desired.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for extra flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Grill fresh corn for added smokiness.
- Mix different greens like spinach or arugula.
- Add crunch with tortilla strips or nuts.
- Balance BBQ sauce with a creamy dressing.
- Let chicken rest before slicing to retain juices.
