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If you’re craving a lunch or dinner that bursts with bold flavors, satisfying textures, and fresh ingredients, this BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s that perfect combination of smoky, tangy BBQ chicken paired with crisp romaine, creamy avocado, sweet corn, and a zesty ranch drizzle, making it a vibrant and hearty salad that’s as colorful as it is delicious. Whether you want a quick weeknight meal or an impressive dish to share with friends, this BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe brings great taste and wholesome goodness to your table with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simplicity is key here, as each ingredient plays an essential role in balancing flavors, textures, and colors. The fresh vegetables elevate brightness, while the smoky chicken and creamy dressing add indulgence and warmth.
- Kosher salt (¾ teaspoon): Essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing all the flavors.
- Onion powder (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle savory note without overpowering the dish.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Offers a gentle garlic aroma that blends perfectly with the spices.
- Smoked paprika (½ teaspoon): Brings a deep, smoky flavor that’s the heart of this salad.
- Chili powder (¼ teaspoon): Adds just a hint of gentle heat to keep things interesting.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1½ pounds): The protein powerhouse of the salad, perfect for absorbing all the spices.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Used for cooking the chicken to a juicy finish with a golden crust.
- Chopped romaine lettuce (8 cups): Provides a crisp, refreshing base that’s sturdy enough to hold all the toppings.
- Canned black beans, drained (15 ounces): Adds creamy texture and fiber-rich goodness.
- Roma tomatoes, diced (2): Brightens the salad with juicy, sweet-tart pops.
- Corn (1½ cups): Sweetness and color in every bite, whether fresh, canned, or frozen.
- Chopped red onion (¼ cup): Gives a sharp, zesty crunch to keep things lively.
- Shredded mozzarella or gouda cheese (1 cup): Melts slightly into the salad, offering a mild, creamy touch.
- Avocado, sliced (1): For luxurious creaminess and healthy fats that tie everything together.
- Tortilla strips (1 cup): Adds a satisfying crunch and a southwestern twist.
- BBQ sauce (¼ cup): The smoky, sweet star that dresses the chicken and highlights the salad’s theme.
- Ranch dressing (¾ cup): A cool, tangy finish that balances the BBQ sauce’s intensity perfectly.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Mix together the kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a small dish. Sprinkle this vibrant spice blend evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring they get coated well. This mix is what gives the chicken that irresistible smoky, mildly spicy flavor that’s the foundation of the BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through and has a beautiful golden crust. Cooking the chicken this way seals in the juices and keeps it tender, which is crucial to a satisfying BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe.
Step 3: Prepare the Salad Base
While the chicken rests, toss the chopped romaine lettuce into a large salad bowl. This crunchy base will provide the refreshing contrast needed to balance the richness of the toppings.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad Toppings
Slice the rested chicken and arrange it artfully on top of the lettuce. Add the black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, red onion, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and tortilla strips. This colorful lineup of ingredients not only looks stunning but offers multiple layers of texture and flavor that make every forkful exciting in this BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe.
Step 5: Drizzle the Dressings
Finally, generously drizzle the BBQ sauce and ranch dressing over the assembled salad. These dressings provide a perfect fusion of smoky sweetness and creamy tanginess, elevating the entire dish into a mouthwatering experience.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra flourish, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or green onions just before serving. A squeeze of fresh lime juice can brighten the flavors further, giving your BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe an irresistible fresh zing that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with crispy cornbread or warm flour tortillas to scoop up every bit of goodness. For a lighter touch, a simple bowl of tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole complements the southwestern vibe nicely without overpowering the flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering the ingredients in a large glass jar or on a platter for a family-style serving that looks as good as it tastes. You can also serve it in individual bowls with a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce for a casual yet impressive meal perfect for gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe, store the salad (without the dressings and tortilla strips) in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the lettuce crisp and the toppings fresh for up to 2 days.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing will compromise the texture of the lettuce, avocado, and dressings. However, you can freeze the leftover cooked chicken separately for up to 3 months to use in future BBQ Chicken Salad Recipes or other dishes.
Reheating
Reheat the cooked chicken gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through before adding it back to freshly prepared salad greens and toppings. This ensures your BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe stays vibrant and tasty every time.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese in this salad?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute mozzarella or gouda with cheddar, pepper jack, or even a crumbly cheese like feta for a different flavor profile that still complements the salad beautifully.
Is this BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, to a degree. Prepare and cook the chicken and chop the veggies in advance, but keep the lettuce, tortilla strips, and dressings separate until ready to serve to maintain freshness and crunch.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Definitely. Simply swap out the chicken for grilled tofu, tempeh, or a hearty bean mixture, and adjust the seasoning to keep the bold barbecue flavors alive in your BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe.
What type of BBQ sauce works best?
Choose a BBQ sauce that suits your taste—whether sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy. A thicker sauce tends to cling better to the chicken and salad, but any style will work as long as you love the flavor.
Can I grill the chicken instead of cooking it in a skillet?
Grilling the chicken is a fantastic alternative that adds an authentic smoky char to the meat, enhancing the BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe’s overall flavor. Just be sure to watch the heat to avoid drying out the chicken.
Final Thoughts
This BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe is an absolute winner whenever you want a meal that feels both nourishing and exciting. The way the smoky chicken blends with fresh, crisp veggies and creamy, tangy dressings makes it a true crowd-pleaser. I hope you enjoy making and eating this salad as much as I do—go ahead, surprise yourself and your loved ones with this deliciously vibrant dish!
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BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 salads
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This BBQ Chicken Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish combining seasoned, skillet-cooked chicken breasts with fresh romaine lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, corn, red onion, cheese, avocado, and crunchy tortilla strips, all topped off with BBQ sauce and creamy ranch dressing for a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Salad Components
- 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 15 ounces canned black beans, drained (1 can)
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 1½ cups corn (off the cob, canned, or frozen)
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or gouda cheese
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup tortilla strips
Dressings
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- ¾ cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Combine the kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a small dish to create a seasoning blend. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the boneless, skinless chicken breasts, coating both sides thoroughly for balanced flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook each side for several minutes, around 4-5 minutes per side, until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove from heat and let rest briefly.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl, add 8 cups of chopped romaine lettuce as the salad foundation, providing a fresh and crunchy texture.
- Add Salad Toppings: On top of the lettuce, arrange the cooked chicken (sliced or whole), drained black beans, diced roma tomatoes, corn, chopped red onion, shredded mozzarella or gouda cheese, sliced avocado, and crunchy tortilla strips. This layering adds variety in flavor and texture.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle ¼ cup BBQ sauce and ¾ cup ranch dressing evenly over the salad components, ensuring the salad is well-coated with the sweet and tangy BBQ flavor combined with creamy ranch for a delicious finish. Toss gently if desired before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning blend with olive oil for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use fresh corn if in season for the best taste or substitute with frozen/canned as convenient.
- Warm the black beans slightly if preferred for added comfort.
- Feel free to substitute ranch dressing with a lighter yogurt-based dressing for a lower calorie option.
- Tortilla strips can be replaced with crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
