Bbq Chicken Salad Wellplated Com

Between the crispy onions, smoky corn and black beans, and BBQ ranch dressing, I was hooked at first bite. I decided to take my newfound obsession and use it to create my own, at-home recipe so that I could enjoy the salad for a fraction of the price anytime I pleased (I did the same thing with this Italian Pasta Salad).

Not only is this homemade healthy BBQ chicken salad a dead-ringer for the Panera and Cheesecake Factory BBQ chicken salad, but it’s also loaded with twice the toppings for a fraction of the cost. By making my own BBQ chicken salad at home, I was able to load it with as large a serving of crisp veggies, juicy chicken, and crunchy tortilla chips as my heart desired.Plus, the fact that the BBQ chicken in this recipe is freshly grilled (thank you, Grilled Chicken Breast), versus reheated in the back of a food assembly line, guarantees a richer taste and increased BBQ chicken salad satisfaction.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Salad

My one request (for this salad, Mexican Salad, and Taco Salad): don’t skip the crushed tortilla chips. I promise this grilled chicken salad is still plenty healthy, and the salt and crunch even a few chips provide will have you addicted to this BBQ chicken salad too! Even Ben, who does not consider “salad” and “dinner” synonymous gave this recipe a vote of approval. It’s healthy, easy to make, and the chicken even tastes good leftover the next day.

The Ingredients

Chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is grilled to perfection and slathered with a delicious homemade barbecue sauce. It’s tender, flavorful, and a large part of what makes this salad so scrumptious and filling.

Barbecue Sauce. The flavor star of this salad! Whether you use my homemade Barbecue Sauce or opt for a store-bought version is up to you.Romaine. Crisp romaine leaves stand up to the creamy dressing and heaping pile of tasty toppings. Cherry Tomatoes. Add freshness and provide a burst of sweetness. Black Beans. Canned black beans are an easy addition that brings oodles of fiber and potassium to the salad. Mexicorn. Since for most, fresh corn is not available year-round, I’ve suggested using canned Mexicorn for the recipe. It makes the salad super fast and easy to prepare too. (You can also use it in this Black Bean Corn Salad.)

Red Onion. What you have on chicken salad for a crisp, fresh bite. Tortilla Chips. The crunchy, salty topping you mustn’t skip! BBQ Ranch Dressing. An unbelievably simple combination of barbecue sauce and light ranch dressing (to keep the BBQ chicken salad calories low). It’s cool, sweet, savory, and delightfully creamy!

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftover salad in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days. Store leftover tortilla chips at room temperature separately from the cold BBQ chicken salad.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Grill Brush. Perfect for brushing the chicken with oil and barbecue sauce. Tongs. A nice pair of tongs makes grilling the chicken a breeze. Non-Slip Cutting Board. Your cutting board will stay in place while you’re chopping.