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This healthy BBQ chicken salad is bursting with bold, smoky flavor. It’s easy to make, high in protein, and perfect for a quick, satisfying meal!
This BBQ chicken salad is one of our go-to meals that’s fresh, flavorful, and packed with protein. It’s made with juicy chicken breast, crisp romaine, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, shredded light cheese, and a creamy BBQ ranch dressing. It’s the perfect healthy BBQ chicken salad recipe that’s easy to make at home and full of bold, satisfying flavor.
I’ve always loved a good BBQ chicken salad, especially the iconic one from California Pizza Kitchen. It’s that perfect mix of smoky, sweet, creamy, and crunchy that hits all the right notes. And while I’ve tried versions from other restaurants over the years, from Cheesecake Factory’s hearty spin to lighter options at Panera, I kept coming back to the idea of making my own version at home. One that’s lighter, fresher, and just as satisfying.
What makes this healthy BBQ chicken salad recipe stand out? It’s simple, quick to put together, and customizable. Plus, if you use our Greek yogurt ranch dressing and homemade smoky BBQ sauce, you’ll take the flavor to the next level without any extra effort. This easy BBQ chicken salad is a delicious option for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Why You Will Love This Healthy BBQ Chicken Salad
- Fresh & Delicious: This salad is packed with flavor and made with fresh ingredients!
- Healthy Option: This BBQ chicken salad is lightened up! It’s made with cooked chicken breast, light cheese, our healthy ranch dressing, and our lighter BBQ sauce.
- Protein-Packed: Cooked chicken and black beans make this salad a satisfying, high-protein meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Lettuce: Wash, dry, and chop fresh romaine lettuce for this salad.
- Chicken: Dice or shred fully cooked chicken breast for this recipe. Using diced grilled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken is a great, easy option!
- Tomatoes: Sliced cherry tomatoes add a burst of juicy flavor to the salad. If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, you can use your favorite tomatoes.
- Black Beans: Rinsed and drained canned black beans add protein and fiber to the salad.
- Corn: Use any cooked corn for this recipe. We used frozen corn to keep things quick and easy.
- Cheese: Shredded light Mexican cheese adds incredible flavor to this BBQ chicken salad.
- Onion: Diced red onion for a sharp note to balance the flavors.
- Cilantro: Chopped cilantro adds a fresh flavor that ties the salad together.
- BBQ Ranch Dressing: For the BBQ ranch dressing, use your favorite homemade or store-bought ranch dressing and BBQ sauce.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Homemade Ranch & BBQ Sauce: We used our healthy Greek yogurt ranch dressing and smoky BBQ sauce for this recipe. Another great option is our cherry chipotle BBQ sauce. For a sugar-free option, you can use your favorite sugar-free BBQ sauce or use a sugar-free sweetener when making our homemade BBQ sauce.
- Chicken Options: Grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, slow cooker shredded chicken, air fryer chicken bites, or air fryer chicken tenders are great options for this salad! For even more BBQ flavor, make our air fryer BBQ chicken or slow cooker BBQ chicken.
- Lettuce Options: Use chopped romaine, iceberg lettuce, spinach, or mixed greens.
- Corn to Use: You can use defrosted frozen corn, rinsed and drained canned corn, cooked fresh corn on the cob, or make our air fryer corn on the cob. Then, slice the kernels off to use in this recipe.
- Onion Swap: Don’t like the flavor of red onion? Swap it with sliced green onions for a milder flavor.
- Optional Additions: Some delicious optional additions to this salad are one large diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips for crunch, and a squeeze of lime juice.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Salad
Step 1: Wash, dry, and chop the romaine lettuce. Then, add it to a large bowl.
Step 2: Dice or shred the fully cooked chicken, slice the cherry tomatoes, rinse and drain the black beans, dice the red onion, and chop the cilantro.
Step 3: Add the cooked chicken, tomatoes, black beans, corn, cheese, red onion, and cilantro to the bowl with the lettuce.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, mix the ranch dressing and BBQ sauce until combined.
Step 5: Pour the BBQ ranch dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
What To Serve With BBQ Chicken Salad
This salad is satisfying on its own or can be served as a side paired with other dishes. Some of our favorite pairings include sheet pan chicken tacos or slow cooker chicken tinga. For added crunch, scoop the salad with tortilla chips or crush them on top, especially delicious with a dollop of mango salsa, mango corn salsa, strawberry salsa, or homemade tomatillo salsa. You can also serve it with a comforting side like our single-serving cornbread or Jiffy corn casserole. For a heartier option, try it alongside our ground turkey enchilada skillet or slow cooker charro beans.
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Use Rotisserie Chicken for Convenience: Store-bought rotisserie chicken is a quick and flavorful shortcut for this salad. Just shred and add it to the salad!
- Evenly Chop: Make sure to chop the ingredients into similar-sized pieces so every bite has a little bit of everything.
- Customize the Dressing: You can adjust the ratio of BBQ sauce to ranch dressing to taste. Add more BBQ for a smokier flavor and more ranch for a creamier and tangier flavor.
Storage Instructions
You can store this BBQ chicken salad in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Just make sure to store the dressing in a separate airtight container so the salad stays fresh. When ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing, and enjoy!
More Salad Recipes To Try!
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
- High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad
- Summer Corn Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Big Mac Salad
- Watermelon Feta Salad
Plus, check out our collection of salad recipes here on Healthy Foodie Girl.
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
BBQ CHICKEN SALAD
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 12 ounces fully cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1, 15-ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn
- 1/2 cup shredded light Mexican cheese blend
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing, homemade or store-bought
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Wash, dry, and chop the romaine lettuce. Then, add it to a large bowl.
- Dice or shred the fully cooked chicken, slice the cherry tomatoes, rinse and drain the black beans, dice the red onion, and chop the cilantro.
- Add the cooked chicken, tomatoes, black beans, corn, cheese, red onion, and cilantro to the bowl with the lettuce.
- In a separate bowl, mix the ranch dressing and BBQ sauce until combined.
- Pour the BBQ ranch dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Then, serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Lettuce Options: Use chopped romaine, iceberg lettuce, spinach, or mixed greens.
- Homemade Ranch & BBQ Sauce: We used our healthy Greek yogurt ranch dressing and smoky BBQ sauce for this recipe.
- Chicken Options: Grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or our slow cooker shredded chicken recipe are great options for this salad!
- Optional Additions: Some delicious optional additions to this salad are one large diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips for crunch, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Corn: You can use defrosted frozen corn, rinsed and drained canned corn, or cooked fresh corn.
- Onion: Don’t like the flavor of red onion? Swap it with sliced green onions for a milder flavor.
- Serving: This recipe serves 4 when served as a main dish, or 6 when served as a side salad.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So much flavor in every bite. This chicken salad is light yet hearty, with tender chicken, crisp veggies, and the most delicious BBQ ranch dressing. It’s a go-to for lunch, dinner, or meal prep!