BBQ Chicken Salad
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BBQ Chicken Salad is the bold, flavor-packed dinner you didn’t know you were craving. It’s got everything! Tender grilled chicken, crunchy veggies, and a drizzle of smoky-sweet BBQ sauce that ties it all together. This isn’t your average salad… it’s the kind that actually fills you up and keeps you coming back for more.
Salad recipes are a summer vibe for us. They’re so easy to make and a quick way to eat leftovers! Be sure to try my southwest chicken salad and broccoli salad!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy dinner idea – This salad is quick to throw together and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Meal prep lunch recipe – Preps ahead beautifully and holds up in the fridge, making it great for grab-and-go lunches.
- Leftover chicken recipe – A great way to repurpose leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken.
This BBQ Chicken Salad is everything you want in a quick, satisfying meal. Fresh, flavorful, and loaded with texture. The combo of smoky BBQ chicken, crisp apples, tangy pickled onions, and creamy ranch makes every bite exciting. It’s the kind of salad that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Whether you’re using leftovers or grilling up fresh chicken, this recipe comes together fast and packs in serious flavor. Toss it together for an easy dinner or prep the components ahead for a grab-and-go lunch that actually keeps you full.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This barbecue chicken salad comes together with simple, flavorful ingredients that hit all the right notes—crunchy, creamy, sweet, and tangy. Here’s what you’ll need to build the perfect bowl:
- Lettuce: Romaine or a spring mix gives the best crunch and holds up well under dressing.
- Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes add juiciness and a pop of color.
- Apples: Chopped for a sweet, crisp contrast—Honeycrisp or Fuji work great.
- Pickled Onion: Adds a tangy bite that balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings bold flavor, but feel free to swap for pepper jack for a kick.
- BBQ Chicken: Use grilled or shredded chicken tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce. Leftovers work great here!
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy ranch ties everything together and cools down the BBQ heat.
Optional but awesome: Crushed tortilla chips for crunch, diced avocado for creaminess, and a squeeze of lime for brightness.
This salad is endlessly customizable, so feel free to play around with ingredients based on what you’ve got. It’s a no-fuss way to get a crave-worthy meal on the table fast.
Jesseca’s Recipe Review
This BBQ Chicken Salad is on repeat at my house—especially when I need something quick but still crave-worthy. The combo of smoky chicken, crisp apples, and creamy ranch is next-level delicious. It’s fresh, filling, and checks every box for a no-fuss dinner that still feels like a treat.
Tip from Jesseca:
Warm your BBQ chicken before adding it to the salad. It helps the sauce coat better and brings out all the bold, smoky flavors without wilting the greens.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this salad is how flexible it is. You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand or tailor it to fit your taste. Here are some simple substitutions and fun variations to try:
- No BBQ chicken? Use rotisserie chicken tossed in BBQ sauce or even grilled tofu for a vegetarian twist.
- Swap the lettuce: Romaine is great, but spinach, kale, or mixed greens work just as well.
- Change the cheese: Try Monterey Jack, blue cheese crumbles, or even a dairy-free alternative.
- Add beans or corn: Black beans and grilled corn make this salad even heartier and more Southwest-inspired.
- No pickled onion? Use sliced red onion or quick-pickle your own with vinegar and sugar.
- Make it a wrap: Toss everything in a large tortilla for a BBQ chicken salad wrap.
Don’t be afraid to make it your own—this recipe is super forgiving and just as good with a little improvisation.
BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
This Chicken Salad comes together in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for busy nights or easy meal prep. Here’s the quick rundown:
- Chop your veggies: Slice lettuce, tomatoes, apples, and pickled onions.
- Prep the protein: Toss cooked chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Assemble the salad: Layer lettuce in a bowl and pile on the toppings—cheddar, veggies, and BBQ chicken.
- Add dressing and extras: Drizzle with ranch, and top with optional goodies like tortilla chips, avocado, or a squeeze of lime.
That’s it! A fresh, filling salad packed with flavor and texture in every bite.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
This is perfect for meal prep or leftovers—just keep a few components separate to maintain the best texture.
- To store: Keep the chopped veggies, cheese, and BBQ chicken in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Store ranch dressing and optional toppings like tortilla chips or avocado separately to prevent sogginess. Everything will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- To make ahead: Prep all the ingredients ahead of time (including chopping and cooking), but don’t assemble until you’re ready to eat. For grab-and-go, layer in a mason jar with dressing at the bottom and lettuce at the top to keep it crisp.
When you’re ready to serve, just toss everything together for a quick, flavorful salad that tastes just as fresh as day one.
Helpful FAQs
Yes! Rotisserie chicken tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce works perfectly and saves time.
Romaine is a great choice for crunch, but you can use spring mix, iceberg, or even chopped kale if you prefer something heartier.
Absolutely. Store the ingredients separately and assemble just before serving. It holds up well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Use your favorite! Sweet, smoky, or spicy BBQ sauce all work here—choose one that fits your flavor preference.
Easy BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chicken (chopped or shredded)
- 2-3 tablespoons BBQ sauce (for coating the chicken)
- 2 cups chopped lettuce (Romaine or your favorite mix)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 apple (chopped (Honeycrisp or Fuji work great))
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2-4 tablespoons ranch dressing (to taste)
Optional Toppings
- 1/4 avocado (diced)
- 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
- 2 lime wedges (for squeezing)
Instructions
- If using leftover or rotisserie chicken, chop or shred it, then toss with BBQ sauce until well coated.
- If cooking from raw, grill or sauté your chicken breasts, slice, and coat in BBQ sauce.
- Wash and chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
- Slice cherry tomatoes in half.
- Chop the apples
Assemble the salad:
- Divide the lettuce between two serving bowls.
- Top with tomatoes, apple slices, pickled onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add a generous portion of BBQ chicken to each bowl.
- Drizzle each salad with ranch dressing.
- Optional: Add crushed tortilla chips, diced avocado, and a fresh squeeze of lime for extra flavor and texture.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh while the flavors are crisp and bold.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
