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A fresh BBQ Chicken Salad with smoky chicken and charred corn.

BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe: Easy, Smoky, and Family-Approved

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  • Author: Ashley
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Smoky BBQ chicken tossed with fresh romaine, sweet corn, tomatoes, black beans, creamy avocado and sharp cheddar, all drizzled with ranch dressing for an instant family favorite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 2 teaspoons BBQ seasoning
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 ears corn, husks and silk removed
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Homemade ranch dressing

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine chicken, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, BBQ seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

2. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat.

3. Working in batches, add chicken to the grill pan in a single layer and cook until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), about 6-8 minutes.

4. Transfer cooked chicken to a bowl and stir in BBQ sauce until well combined.

5. Add corn to the grill pan and cook, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 5-10 minutes. Let cool, then cut the kernels off the cobs.

6. To assemble the salad, place shredded romaine in a large bowl.

7. Top with BBQ chicken, grilled corn, cherry tomatoes, black beans, avocado, red onion and shredded cheddar cheese.

8. Drizzle ranch dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.

9. Serve immediately.


Notes

If you do not have a cast iron grill pan, you can use a large cast iron skillet instead.

Grill the corn outdoors for even more smoky flavor.

For a lighter option, use grilled chicken breast and light ranch dressing.

Serve immediately after tossing to keep the lettuce crisp.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 135mg