BBQ Chicken Salad

This BBQ Chicken Salad is a hearty, satisfying dish packed with bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Shredded BBQ chicken brings smoky, savory richness, while crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, corn, and black beans add freshness and texture. Topped with cheese and your favorite ranch or BBQ dressing, it’s the kind of salad that eats like a meal.

Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, or casual gatherings, this salad is easy to customize and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s everything you love about BBQ—served fresh and crunchy in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Big, Bold Flavors: Smoky BBQ chicken, sweet corn, and tangy dressing in every bite.
2. Filling & Nutritious: Loaded with protein, fiber, and fresh veggies.
3. Quick & Easy: Use leftover or rotisserie chicken to save time.
4. Customizable: Swap in your favorite beans, cheese, or greens.
5. Perfect for Meal Prep: Stays fresh and flavorful for 2–3 days.

Ingredients Breakdown

For the Salad:

1. BBQ Chicken: Use shredded chicken tossed with your favorite BBQ sauce.
2. Romaine or Mixed Greens: The crisp, crunchy base.
3. Black Beans: Adds protein and fiber.
4. Corn (Fresh, Frozen, or Canned): Sweet and juicy.
5. Cherry Tomatoes: Bright and flavorful.
6. Red Onion or Green Onion: Add a little bite.
7. Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese: Shredded for a creamy, savory finish.
8. Tortilla Strips or Crushed Chips (Optional): For crunch.

For the Dressing:

1. BBQ Sauce + Ranch: Use one or drizzle both!
2. Homemade Option: Mix equal parts ranch and BBQ sauce for a smoky, creamy dressing.

Yield: Serves 2-4

BBQ Chicken Salad

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A hearty salad with shredded BBQ chicken, fresh veggies, beans, cheese, and dressing for a satisfying and bold-flavored meal.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce
• 4 cups romaine or mixed greens, chopped
• ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup corn kernels
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup red onion or green onion, sliced
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips (optional)

For the Dressing:

• ¼ cup ranch dressing
• 2 tbsp BBQ sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Toss shredded chicken with BBQ sauce until fully coated.
2. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl or on a plate, layer lettuce, black beans, corn, tomatoes, onions, and cheese. Top with the BBQ chicken. Add tortilla strips, if using.
3. Add Dressing & Serve: Drizzle with ranch, BBQ sauce, or both.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

1. Make It Lighter: Use light ranch dressing or skip the cheese.
2. Make It Spicy: Add jalapeños or spicy BBQ sauce
3. Make It Vegetarian: Swap chicken for grilled tofu or roasted sweet potatoes.
4. Make Ahead Tip: Store salad and dressing separately for the best texture.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

2-4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 400Total Fat: 22gCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 5gProtein: 30g

Best Ways to Serve This Salad

1. As a Main Meal: Filling enough for lunch or dinner.
2. In a Wrap: Use in a low-carb or whole-wheat tortilla.
3. As a Bowl: Serve over rice or cauliflower rice for extra bulk.
4. For Parties: Serve in individual cups for a fun BBQ-style side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping It Up

This BBQ Chicken Salad delivers a big flavor and serious satisfaction with simple ingredients. From busy weeknights to weekend BBQs, it’s an easy go-to recipe that’s full of color, crunch, and comfort. Try it today and enjoy a fresh, filling salad that doesn’t skimp on taste!