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BBQ Chicken Salad

BBQ Chicken Salad

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BBQ Chicken Salad is a bold, flavor-packed meal featuring juicy barbecue chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, sweet corn, black beans, creamy avocado, and crunchy tortilla strips tossed with a smoky BBQ ranch dressing. It’s hearty enough for dinner but fresh enough for lunch, making it a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors in every bite.

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

2 cups cooked or grilled chicken breast, chopped

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or grilled)

1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

1 avocado, diced

1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

1/2 cup crunchy tortilla strips

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For the BBQ Ranch Dressing

1/2 cup ranch dressing

3 tablespoons BBQ sauce

1 teaspoon lime juice

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Cook the Chicken
Season chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. Grill or pan-sear over medium heat for about 5–6 minutes per side until fully cooked. Brush with BBQ sauce during the last minute of cooking, then let rest before chopping.

Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, lime juice, and smoked paprika until smooth.

Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, corn, black beans, tomatoes, red onion, cheese, and cilantro.

Add the Chicken
Top the salad with chopped BBQ chicken and diced avocado.

Finish and Serve
Drizzle the BBQ ranch dressing over the salad and sprinkle tortilla strips on top. Toss lightly or serve layered for presentation.

Notes

Cooking Tips

Use Rotisserie Chicken for Speed
Shred store-bought rotisserie chicken and toss it with warm BBQ sauce to save time.

Grill the Corn
Lightly charring the corn adds a smoky sweetness that pairs beautifully with the BBQ flavor.

Layer Instead of Tossing
If serving for guests or photos, layer the ingredients instead of mixing so the colors pop.

Chill the Ingredients
Cold lettuce and veggies help balance the warm BBQ chicken for the perfect contrast.

Variations

BBQ Chicken Ranch Salad
Add extra ranch dressing and crispy bacon for a richer, steakhouse-style salad.

Spicy BBQ Chicken Salad
Mix chipotle powder or hot sauce into the BBQ dressing for a spicy kick.

Low-Carb Version
Skip the beans and tortilla strips and add extra avocado and grilled peppers.

Southwest BBQ Chicken Salad
Add diced bell peppers, jalapeños, and a squeeze of lime for a Tex-Mex twist.

BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Mix the ingredients with cooked rotini pasta and extra dressing for a picnic-ready dish.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Protein: 32g

Find it online: https://greatfoodrecipe.com/bbq-chicken-salad/

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