30 Minute Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe

an overhead shot of BBQ chicken salad in a white salad bowl

30 Minute Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe

This delicious BBQ chicken salad recipe features grilled BBQ chicken, mixed greens, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, corn, onions, avocados, cilantro, and a creamy homemade BBQ ranch.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Main Dish/Salad

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Method: Stovetop

Servings: servings

Ingredients

BBQ Chicken Breast

3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup BBQ sauce preferably low-sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salad

8 cups mixed greens such as romaine, spinach, and arugula
4 slices bacon cooked and chopped
1.5 cups cherry tomatoes halved
1/2 cup corn kernels fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen
1/2 cup black beans rinsed and drained
1/2 red onion thinly sliced
¼ cup green onions
1 ½ avocados diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped

BBQ Ranch

1 cup Greek or dairy-free yogurt can sub mayo
2 tbsp ranch seasoning
2 tbsp BBQ Sauce
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp coconut milk canned or milk of choice

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Right before it's done cooking, brush the chicken with BBQ sauce on both sides. Remove from the grill and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips.
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and BBQ sauce together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, cooked bacon, cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, black beans, red onion, avocado, and cilantro. Add the sliced grilled chicken on top of the salad.
Dress the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss gently to combine, ensuring the dressing is evenly distributed throughout. Enjoy!

Notes

Expert Tips

Feel free to add, omit, or substitute ingredients as desired. That’s the beauty of salads! You can customize it to your liking. Add your favorite cheese ( shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese will work well), change up the greens, switch up the fresh veggies, top with crunchy tortilla chips, and more.
Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts. It’ll be done when it reaches 165 degrees F.
You can use leftover cooked chicken or Rotisserie chicken to speed this recipe up. Reheat the chicken and toss it in BBQ sauce.
Make your own homemade BBQ sauce or grab your favorite store-bought version from the grocery store.

Storage Tips

I recommend storing leftover chicken salad undressed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store the dressing in a separate container or mason jar with a lid. When ready to serve, toss with the dressing.

Nutrition