This BBQ Chicken Salad is one of the best grilled chicken salad recipes EVER! Featuring juicy BBQ chicken, a medley of fresh vegetables, crunchy corn chips, and a simple BBQ Ranch Dressing, this BBQ Chicken Salad is full of flavor, texture, and protein.
Do you love Panera's Barbecue Chicken Salad? Or maybe you remember Bob Evan's Wildfire Chicken Salad? Those delicious restaurant salads are what inspired this BBQ Chicken Salad recipe.
But just like my recipes for Copycat Panera Greek Salad, Copycat Olive Garden Salad, and Copycat Cheesecake Factory's Luau Salad, this BBQ Chicken Salad recipe is better when made at home.
Reasons to Love This BBQ Chicken Salad
- Amazing Texture & Insanely Flavorful. The star of this BBQ Chicken Salad is the grilled BBQ Chicken breasts. But don't overlook the supporting ingredients, as the salad itself plays a huge role in the flavor and texture of this salad. From the crunchy romaine to the sweet corn to the sharp red onions to the juicy tomatoes to the fresh cucumber and crunchy tortilla chips to the barbecue ranch dressing, this chicken salad recipe has it ALL!
- Adaptable. When you make this salad at home, you get to be in charge of the ingredients! Hate cucumbers? Omit them. Dairy-free? Leave off the cheese. You get the idea.
- Light, Yet Satisfying. Just like Buffalo Chicken Salad and Southwest Salad, this BBQ Chicken Salad is filled with lean protein, yet won't weigh you down with heavy ingredients.
- Money-Saver. This homemade version of a restaurant favorite is not only fresher and tastier, than Panera or Bob Evans's but for the much less expensive per serving!
BBQ Chicken Salad Ingredients
The three main components in this salad are the dressing, the chicken and the lettuce. The toppings are up to you!
- BBQ Chicken: This recipe provides instructions for making Grilled BBQ Chicken. However, this is a great time to use any leftover Rotisserie chicken tossed with BBQ Sauce or leftover Instant Pot BBQ Chicken.
- BBQ Ranch Dressing: The dressing is made by combining ranch dressing with BBQ sauce. Use your favorite store-bought variety or my homemade versions for the most delicious dressing that perfectly compliments this salad.
- Salad Toppings: Corn kernels, red onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips all make great additions to this BBQ Chicken Salad, but feel free to use what your family likes.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Salad
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prepare BBQ Chicken
I prefer to grill chicken breasts or thighs to add a smokey undertone to the salad itself and grilled chicken is also lower in fat than deep-fried or pan-fried chicken and yet lacks nothing in flavor. Once the chicken is nearly cooked, then baste it in your favorite BBQ sauce to add additional flavor the the chicken.
Prepare BBQ Ranch Dressing
The dressing for this BBQ Chicken Salad is made by simply combining Ranch dressing and BBQ sauce and it is creamy, smokey, and irresistibly good!
Assemble the BBQ Chicken Salad
As with most salads, it is best to assemble this BBQ Chicken Salad right before serving, so that the greens, vegetables, and corn chips stay crisp and vibrant, rather than soggy.
More Favorite BBQ Chicken Recipes
- BBQ Chicken Burger
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs
- Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
If you enjoyed this BBQ Chicken Salad, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. I love hearing from you!
BBQ Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
BBQ chicken salad
- 3 heads hearts of romaine chopped
- 1 large seedless cucumber diced
- 1 small red onion minced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes sliced
- 1 cup corn kernels
- ½ cup shredded Colby jack cheese optional
- ½ cup corn chips or tortilla strips optional
BBQ Ranch Dressing
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- ½ cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. While the grill is preheating, season boneless, skinless chicken breasts with seasoned salt evenly on both sides.
- Grill chicken for 5 minutes on first side, flip and grill another 4 minutes.
- Brush with BBQ Sauce and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Flip chicken and brush the opposite side with BBQ sauce. Cook for 2-4 more minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
- While the chicken is resting, prepare the dressing by combining ½ cup ranch dressing with 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine lettuce with tomatoes, corn, onions, and cucumbers.
- Top salad with sliced BBQ chicken, shredded cheese, and tortilla strips. Drizzle with BBQ Ranch Dressing and serve immediately.
Haley
This was a hit at our family picnic! The seasoned chicken combined perfectly with the fresh veggies and the BBQ ranch dressing. Even the kids loved the crunchy corn chips!
Kristen Chidsey
I love that you and your family enjoyed, Haley! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Kristyn
This salad is one of the best!! Love the bbq flavor! It's a summer go-to!!
Gary
I tried this recipe last weekend and it was a huge hit! We loved the texture and flavor, it’s super delicious and so versatile too!
Lindsay E.
Obsessed with this and your ranch dressing recipe. I’ve made it for my family and another family I’m helping out. I usually add black beans, green onions, bell pepper, and radish if I have it. It’s very easy to use whatever toppings you have on hand. The key is the homemade ranch!!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing you enjoy this recipe (and the ranch dressing) so much! And how kind to help out another family--I am sure it is very much appreciated. 🙂
Ashley Jones
These meatballs are so good. My family loves them…kids included. They’ve become my “go to” turkey meatball recipe. I’ve made them quite a few times and finally decided I should say thank you for a good recipe. Thank you 🙂
Catie
Delicious and perfect for a hot summer night! I will be adding this to the salad rotation from now on!
Kristen Chidsey
It is on rotation here in the summer as well. I am so glad you enjoyed!
Ashley Jones
Thank you for this post. I’ve always believed that chicken had to be cooked to 180 using an instant read thermometer to be safe. Always dry. I do more grilling outdoors, but I’ll definitely have to look for one of those pans. Should be good for any type of meat.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Ashley! I am so glad you found this recipe and tips for cooking chicken. Your chicken will be so much juicier when cooked to 165 degrees.
Alana
I have a hard time figuring out a salad my husband likes, but both of us loved this one! I've also added black beans and bacon if I have them, and skipped cucumber when I don't have it. Always good, and will appear often in our rotation!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad that you both enjoyed this meal Alana!
Ann
Is the nutritional info for the entire salad or by servings? Thanks. I’m making this tomorrow!!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you enjoy Ann! The nutritional info is per serving.
austin
this is so so so so good
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!! I am so glad you enjoyed Austin!
Noelle
This had the exact flavors I was looking for, great salad! Thank you
Kristen Chidsey
I am so happy this salad hit the spot for you Noelle!
Carrie
This was delicious!