This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad combines smoky grilled chicken skewers with crisp romaine lettuce, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado, all tossed in a flavorful herby ranch dressing. It’s a hearty and refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings or a wholesome family dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Balanced Flavors: The smoky barbecue chicken pairs beautifully with the fresh, crisp salad ingredients and the creamy herby ranch dressing.The Defined Dish+1Pinterest+1
- Nutritious and Satisfying: Packed with lean protein, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats, this salad is both filling and nourishing.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable to suit dietary preferences or to use up seasonal produce.Jow+2Half Baked Harvest+2Prevention RD+2
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- For the Chicken Skewers:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Avocado oilpunchfork.com+2Log in or sign up to view+2The Defined Dish+2
- Kosher salt
- Barbecue sauceJow
- Wooden skewers (pre-soaked)The Defined Dish+2punchfork.com+2Prevention RD+2
- For the Herby Ranch Dressing:
- Light-tasting oil (e.g., avocado oil)Prevention RD+3The Defined Dish+3punchfork.com+3
- Egg (omit if using store-bought mayo)The Defined Dish+1punchfork.com+1
- Unsweetened full-fat coconut milkHalf Baked Harvest+3The Defined Dish+3punchfork.com+3
- Lemon juiceThe Defined Dish
- Red wine vinegarThe Defined Dish
- Kosher salt
- Onion powder
- Minced garlic
- Fresh dill fronds, finely choppedpunchfork.com+1The Defined Dish+1
- Fresh parsley, finely choppedpunchfork.com+1The Defined Dish+1
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- For the Salad:
- Fresh corn (omit for Whole30)punchfork.com+1The Defined Dish+1
- Avocado oilThe Defined Dish+1Log in or sign up to view+1
- Romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
- Green onions, thinly sliced (green parts only)The Defined Dish+1punchfork.com+1
- Grape tomatoes, quarteredAllrecipes+2punchfork.com+2The Defined Dish+2
- Black beans, drained and rinsed (omit for Whole30)punchfork.com+1The Defined Dish+1
- Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- Fresh basil leaves, choppedThe Defined Dish+1punchfork.com+1
- Avocado, dicedpunchfork.com+1The Defined Dish+1
Directions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Pound the chicken to a uniform ½-inch thickness.The Defined Dish
- Cut into 2-inch pieces and mix with avocado oil, salt, and barbecue sauce.The Defined Dish
- Let marinate for at least 20 minutes at room temperature or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.The Defined Dish
- Prepare the Herby Ranch Dressing:
- In a jar, combine light-tasting oil and egg.The Defined Dish+1punchfork.com+1
- Use an immersion blender to emulsify into mayonnaise.The Defined Dish
- Blend in coconut milk, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, onion powder, and garlic.The Defined Dish
- Stir in dill, parsley, and black pepper.The Defined Dish
- Refrigerate until ready to use.The Defined Dish
- Grill the Chicken and Corn:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (350-400°F) and oil the grates.The Defined Dish
- Thread the marinated chicken onto pre-soaked wooden skewers.Prevention RD
- Drizzle corn with avocado oil.The Defined Dish+1punchfork.com+1
- Grill corn, turning every 2 minutes, until tender (about 10-12 minutes).The Defined Dish
- Grill chicken skewers, flipping every 3-4 minutes, until cooked through (about 6-8 minutes total), basting with additional barbecue sauce as desired.
- Assemble the Salad:
- Combine romaine lettuce, green onions, tomatoes, black beans, cilantro, and basil in a large bowl.The Defined Dish
- Toss with the desired amount of herby ranch dressing.Half Baked Harvest+2The Defined Dish+2Pinterest+2
- Cut the grilled corn kernels off the cob and add to the salad along with diced avocado.The Defined Dish
- Gently toss to combine.
- Serve:
- Divide the salad among plates and top each with grilled chicken skewers.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4Allrecipes+2Jow+2Half Baked Harvest+2
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Protein Alternatives: Substitute chicken with grilled shrimp or tofu for a different twist.
- Dressing Options: Use a store-bought ranch or vinaigrette if short on time.
- Add Crunch: Top with toasted nuts or seeds for added texture.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat chicken skewers on the grill or in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through.
FAQs
How can I make this salad vegetarian?
Replace the chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh and use a vegetarian barbecue sauce.
Can I prepare the dressing in advance?
Yes, the herby ranch dressing can be made up to a week ahead and
BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is a fresh and flavorful summer dish that’s perfect for the grill. Juicy BBQ-marinated chicken skewers are served over a crisp bed of greens, with cherry tomatoes, red onions, corn, and a drizzle of creamy ranch or tangy vinaigrette. It’s hearty enough for dinner but light enough to keep you cool on a hot day.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers:
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1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
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1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for basting)
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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Wooden or metal skewers
For the Salad:
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6 cups mixed salad greens
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
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1 cup cooked corn (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
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1 avocado, sliced (optional)
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1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
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Ranch dressing or balsamic vinaigrette, to serve
Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken cubes with BBQ sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the fridge).
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Prep the Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20–30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
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Grill the Chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with extra BBQ sauce, until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
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Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl or on individual plates, layer salad greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, corn, avocado, and cheese if using.
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Serve: Top each salad with grilled chicken skewers and drizzle with your favorite dressing. Serve immediately.
Notes
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You can substitute grilled tofu or shrimp for the chicken for a different twist.
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To save time, use store-bought BBQ rotisserie chicken and skip the skewers.
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Add croutons or crispy tortilla strips for extra crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad with 1 skewer
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
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