BBQ Chicken Salad
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Smoky BBQ chicken, corn, tomatoes, black beans, avocado + cheese drizzled with homemade Ranch. An instant family favorite!
Hello, summertime bliss. We have picnics, blue skies, ice cream, trips to the beach, and of course, a classic BBQ chicken salad here.
With charred, smoky BBQ chicken bites (hello, dark meat) tossed in fresh shredded romaine, charred corn, cherry tomatoes, black beans, avocado, red onion, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and a homemade Ranch that will knock your socks off.
Is there anything better? I think not. Nope, there certainly is not.
Store-bought Ranch can definitely be used here if you’re short on time, but this Ranch is oh-so-creamy and perfectly drizzly. It’s one you’ll want to use for all your salads (and everything else) this summer.
We also love a good BBQ seasoning with a saucy, sweet and tangy BBQ sauce for that double whammy. It’s what summer dreams are made of, and one of the best summer recipes hands down.
Tools For This Recipe
Cast iron grill pan
BBQ Chicken Salad: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, chicken breasts can absolutely be used here but chicken thighs have more dark meat and a higher fat content which will yield juicier, more flavorful chicken.
We used Yellowstone Cowboy BBQ seasoning but there are so many good ones out there so feel free to use your favorite brand.
BBQ Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons BBQ seasoning
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 ears corn, husks and silk removed
- 1 head romaine, shredded
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Homemade ranch dressing
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, BBQ seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add chicken to the grill pan in a single layer and cook until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside and stir in BBQ sauce until well combined.
- Add corn to the grill pan, and cook, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 5-10 minutes; let cool before cutting the corn kernels off the cobs.
- To assemble the salad, place romaine lettuce in a large bowl; top with chicken, corn, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, red onion and cheese. Pour the ranch dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to combine.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
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This looks amazing! I just wanted to let you know that your images and recipes are being posted at http://justagoodrecipe.blogspot.ca/2014/01/bbq-chicken-salad.html. I wasn’t sure if they had your permission.
Thanks so much for the heads-up! They definitely did not have my permission!
This looks like salad perfection!!
Gorgeous salad! I want this for Sunday breakfast, LOL! Thank you for sharing. Pinning!
This looks so delish! Pinning! Happy New year, Chung-Ah!
Favorite salad to order when eating out hands down! Why they charge you $15 for it is crazy, well maybe not, bc they know we’ll till order it bc it’s that good. But now I can make it at home and out all the sweet baby rays BBQ I want on it. Yum! Pinning!
This looks yummy but because of my hubby’s diabetics we stay away from BBQ sauce so what would you recommend to replace it.
Please refer to online resources for diabetic-friendly BBQ sauces. I also recommend making your own BBQ sauce from scratch using sugar-free products.
I think there is a low sugar bbq sauce called G Hughes. They have catsup & lots if sugar free sauces. I get it at Walmart & Publix.
Chung-Ah, this looks insanely good! I don’t normally gravitate toward salads, but the fact that there’s barbecue sauce included has me singing a different tune!
I want to dive into this salad, a perfect lunch!
Looks so good. What’s your fav bbq sauce? Mine is Stubb’s by I’m always on the lookout for other options to try!
Sweet baby rays is awesome! Famous Dave’s is really good too. I like to try different sauces too!!
Trader Joe’s garlic sirrachia bbq sauce is so delicious that it’s ridiculous.
Love a good BBQ chicken salad! This look so perfect!
Yessss this is so my kind of salad! Plus, Sunday is always salad day in my house (it makes up for saturday night eating 😉 ) I know what’s on the menu tomorrow! Pinned!
Lovely, light and I’m sure, delicious! (@Maureen I want to be where you are. It is -33 in my neighborhood this morning 🙂
It was so hot today I didn’t want to cook. This salad would be perfect for tomorrow! It’s tempting!
I agree, I am so ready to eat salads!! This salad looks delicious and perfect to start the new year.