If you’re craving a salad that’s anything but boring, this BBQ Chicken Salad is calling your name. Loaded with tender grilled or shredded BBQ chicken, fresh veggies, creamy dressing, and crunchy toppings, this salad is the perfect blend of smoky, sweet, tangy, and crisp.
Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or tossing together a quick dinner, this hearty salad is a crowd-pleasing favorite that hits all the right notes — and it’s just as satisfying as your favorite BBQ plate, minus the mess.
🍗 Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Salad
- Packed with protein and fresh ingredients
- Customizable with your favorite toppings
- Great for meal prep or a summer dinner
- Naturally gluten-free and easy to make low-carb
- Perfect combo of sweet BBQ sauce and creamy dressing
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the BBQ Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded or grilled chicken
- ¼ to ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
Salad Base:
- 4 cups romaine or mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn (grilled, canned, or thawed from frozen)
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
- Optional: tortilla strips or crushed corn chips for crunch
Dressing:
- Ranch or cilantro-lime ranch works beautifully
- Add a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce for extra flavor
👩🍳 How to Make BBQ Chicken Salad
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Toss your cooked chicken with BBQ sauce until well coated. Warm it up in a skillet or microwave if using leftovers.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, layer the greens, tomatoes, corn, black beans, onions, avocado, and cheese.
Step 3: Add Chicken and Dressing
Top with BBQ chicken, drizzle with ranch or your dressing of choice, and sprinkle with crunchy toppings like tortilla strips.
Step 4: Serve
Toss to combine just before eating, or serve layered for presentation.
💡 Tips & Variations
- Use grilled chicken breasts or thighs for smoky flavor
- Make it low-carb by skipping corn and tortilla strips
- Add sliced jalapeños or chipotle mayo for a spicy kick
- Use vegan BBQ chicken and dairy-free ranch for a plant-based version
- Great for lunch the next day — just keep dressing separate until serving
🥗 Perfect Occasions
- Summer BBQs or potlucks
- Healthy weeknight dinner
- Meal-prep lunches
- Backyard dinners with grilled meats
- Topping for baked potatoes or nachos
📌 Final Thoughts
BBQ Chicken Salad is proof that salads can be bold, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. With juicy BBQ chicken, creamy dressing, fresh veggies, and a satisfying crunch, it’s a balanced, high-protein meal that’s easy to throw together and endlessly customizable.
Make it once, and you’ll crave it all year long — smoky, sweet, creamy, and crunchy in every bite.