This BBQ chicken salad is a summer-inspired recipe with crisp romaine tossed in a creamy barbecue ranch dressing, then topped with a colorful mix of black beans, corn, and sweet tomatoes.
Recipe Science
- Grilling chicken imparts a smoky flavor and creates a savory crust that enhances the dish when seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Romaine lettuce is ideal for salads as its crisp, sturdy leaves resist wilting, maintaining a refreshing crunch even when dressed.
- Mixing barbecue sauce and ranch dressing creates a flavorful and viscous sauce that clings better to salad ingredients.
Jump To a Section
Featured Comment 4
“Nice delicious salad. Very tasty and perfectly portioned for dinner.”—Joyce
Why It Works
This easy BBQ chicken salad recipe is perfect for lunch or a light dinner. The good news is that you don’t have to wait for summer to fire up the grill; you can enjoy this meal all year. If you like this recipe and crave more hearty low-carb meals, give my Cobb salad or grilled strawberry chicken salad a try.
You can’t have a BBQ chicken salad without lean slices of chicken breast, black beans, and cheddar cheese. Plus, the juicy, ripe tomatoes and sweet corn make each serving pop with color. I’m a big fan of adding crunch to a salad, so if it’s not my homemade croutons, another quick option is to crumble salty crushed tortilla chips on top.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breast is the best lean protein option. I use about 8-ounce pieces to prevent the meat from drying out. Simply season with salt and pepper.
- Oil: Use a high smoke point oil, like a fruity-tasting olive oil, to coat the chicken and prevent it from sticking to the grill.
- Lettuce: Sturdy and crisp romaine lettuce hearts are my top choice. It’s still refreshing when coated with the dressing and doesn’t wilt down too much. Slice them ½-inch thick so it’s easier to mix with the toppings and eat.
- Dressing: Mix your favorite BBQ sauce and ranch dressing equally.
- Toppings: Add a mix of fresh vegetables and legumes, such as corn, black beans, tomatoes, and onions. Add sharp cheddar cheese and crunchy chips.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken Options: For a quicker option, use leftover roast chicken. Just shred or dice it up for a BBQ chicken chopped salad.
- Seasoning: Add a dry rub similar to my grilled BBQ chicken, which uses paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Make it spicy with my cajun seasoning blend. Try basting the meat with BBQ sauce while grilling.
- Lettuce: Did you know you can grill the romaine for a charred flavor? It would be lovely with the chicken salad. Alternatively, try othertypes of lettuce, like a spring mix or baby spinach.
- Add More Veggies: Add crisp diced cucumber, shredded carrots, jicama, mild green onions, chives, or sliced mushrooms. Grill corn on the cob, then cut off the kernels when it’s peak season. Canned and even defrosted frozen works well, too. Add pickled red onions for a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Cheese Swaps: Monterey Jack cheese, blue cheese, queso fresco, and feta are delicious too!
How to Make BBQ Chicken Salad
Step 1: Flatten the Chicken
I recommend pounding the chicken to ½ inch thick for even cooking. Alternatively, slice in half into cutlets for very thick pieces.
Step 2: Season the Surface
Combine the salt and pepper in a small bowl. Evenly apply the seasoning on both sides of the flattened chicken pieces.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Grab a grill pan, cast iron skillet, nonstick, or stainless steel pan for a year-round stovetop option. Alternatively, grill the chicken to add a smoky flavor when the weather’s warm. For a golden surface, sear the chicken in hot olive oil, pressing down initially to give good contact with the pan.
Let the crust develop, then flip it when about 50% cooked through. The process takes about 5 to 8 minutes per side. The internal temperature should register between 160 to 165ºF (71 to 74ºC).
Step 4: Rest and Slice
Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing or cutting cubes into bite-sized pieces. I enjoy the chicken a little warm or chilled with the salad.
Step 5: Make the Dressing
You only need two ingredients for a simple, creamy, tangy dressing. I like to make a batch of homemade barbecue sauce, which is perfect for this recipe. Ranch dressing adds a rich, savory element. It combines buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, and seasonings.
A ratio of 2 parts ranch to 1 part barbecue sauce works well. Whisk it up, and it’s ready to toss or drizzle.
Step 6: Dress the Salad
Lightly dress the salad with about ¼ cup of the BBQ ranch dressing, then serve the rest on the side to drizzle more later.
Step 7: Add the Toppings
I’m a fan of adding a healthy and colorful mix of protein—and fiber-rich toppings. Canned black beans are a convenient option versus making them on the stovetop, and sweet and crisp corn kernels add a summery ingredient to the mix.
Cherry tomatoes are juicy and sweet, balancing the savory flavor of the chicken. Freshly diced red onions add an earthy allium flavor. Garnish with sharp cheddar cheese, and you’re ready to dig in!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you prefer the flavor of dark meat, feel free to use it in the salad. Make sure to trim away any excess fat before cooking so it’s not too greasy. I prefer grilling them for a smoky taste, but they can be cooked on the stovetop. Aim for 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC), as they need a longer cooking time because the meat has more fat and connective tissue.
For 1 pound of raw chicken breast, you will need about 2 ½ cups of cooked. You can use shredded, sliced, or cube pieces.
Try balsamic vinaigrette, red wine vinegar dressing, or an apple cider vinaigrette for a lighter, tangier dressing. A classic ranch or blue cheese dressing is a rich and creamy option. I recommend tossing the chicken in barbecue sauce for that sweet and tangy flavor.
More BBQ Favorites
If you tried this BBQ Chicken Salad recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
BBQ Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, 2 pieces
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Salad Dressing
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
Salad
- 8 cups romaine lettuce, ½” thick slices
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¾ cup corn kernels, canned or grilled
- ¾ cup black beans, canned, rinsed & drained
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- ¼ cup crushed tortilla chips
- ¼ cup diced red onion, ¼” dice
Instructions
- Flatten the Chicken – Place one of the chicken pieces between two plastic sheets or in a large plastic bag. Use a meat tenderizer to flatten to an even thickness, about ½-inch thick. Repeat with the remaining piece.
- Season the Surface – In a small bowl, combine ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Evenly season both sides of the chicken with the mixture.
- Cook the Chicken – Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add olive oil, and heat until hot and shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken and press down for maximum contact. Cook until golden brown, about 5 to 8 minutes. Flip and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165ºF (71 to 74ºC) on a meat thermometer, about 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate to rest for 5 minutes.
- Rest and Slice – Rest the chicken for 10 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, slice against the grain. If desired, chop into cubes. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Make the Dressing – In a medium bowl, combine the ranch dressing and barbecue sauce. Set aside or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Dress the Salad – Add romaine lettuce to a large bowl and ¼ cup of dressing, gently toss to combine.
- Add the Toppings – Top the salad with tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, red onion, and sliced chicken. Serve with remaining dressing on the side. If desired, drizzle extra barbecue sauce and ranch on top.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Dressing Yield: ¾ cups
- Storing: Serve salad immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Make sure to refrigerate any unused dressing and do not leave it out longer than 2 hours.
- Grilled Chicken: Preheat the grill over medium-high heat between 375 and 400ºF (191 to 204ºC). Clean and grease the grates with oil. Keep one burner off for indirect heat cooking. Place the chicken on the direct heat side of the grill and close the lid. Cook each side for about 5 to 8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165ºF (71 to 74ºC). If browning quickly, move the chicken to the indirect heat side of the grill to complete cooking.
- Using Pre-Cooked Chicken: 2 ½ cups of shredded, sliced, or cubes of chicken.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Recipe Resources
Maria T. says
This is a perfect warm weather meal because the only thing that needs to be cooked is the chicken, which was simple to do with simple seasoning. The dressing was surprisingly delicious and went perfectly with the salad. I had everything I needed in my pantry, refrigerator and freezer. This was salad and my husband went to town and really chowed down. I left the chicken, cheese and chips on the side in case of leftovers since it’s just the two of us. This recipe will go in our rotation. Another winner.
Jessica Gavin says
Awesome! I’m so happy that the family enjoyed the chicken salad. It’s so great for those hot summer nights!
Joyce says
Nice delicious salad. Very tasty and perfectly portioned for dinner.
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you, Joyce!