BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe – Easy Chicken Recipes

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Inspired by my favorite salad at CPK, this BBQ chicken salad recipe is full of fresh Mexicali flavor! Corn, black beans, tomatoes, avocado, and a few other tasty ingredients are tossed up with chopped lettuce, then topped with the most delicious BBQ chicken, ranch dressing, crunchy tortilla strips, and extra barbecue sauce. It’s healthy, delicious, and ready in 20 minutes!

BBQ chicken salad filled with black beans, corn, chopped lettuce, tortilla strips, and ranch dressing in a large dish.BBQ chicken salad filled with black beans, corn, chopped lettuce, tortilla strips, and ranch dressing in a large dish.

Sometimes I do actually crave salads, and more often than not, it’s this one! This copycat recipe for chopped BBQ chicken salad makes such a great lunch. It’s filled with healthy ingredients, but the ranch and barbecue makes it exciting to eat!

What’s in BBQ Chicken Salad?

An easy mix of pantry staples and fresh produce fills out this super quick and hearty salad!

  • Chicken Breasts: I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this salad, but thighs can be used as well.
  • BBQ Rub: Use a BBQ seasoning/rub or all-purpose seasoning to add flavor to the chicken.
  • Chopped Lettuce: I like romaine lettuce for this salad because it’s fresh and crisp, but other types can be used as well.
  • Black Beans: Make sure to fully drain the can of black beans before adding them to the salad.
  • Corn: You can use fresh, frozen, or canned corn.
  • Roma Tomatoes: You can use beefsteak or tomatoes on the vine if you’d like. Just make sure they’re chopped into small pieces.
  • Red Onion: If you want your red onions to be a little tamer, soak the slices in water for about 15 minutes. Drain, pat dry, then add to the salad.
  • Cheese: You can use mozzarella or Monterrey Jack cheese, both are delicious!
  • Avocado: The creamy texture is a nice balance with the rest of the salad ingredients.
  • Tortilla Strips: These add a nice crunch to the final salad. You can break or crumble up some regular tortilla chips instead.
  • BBQ Sauce: This adds a final kick of barbecue flavor. Use any kind you like.
  • Ranch Dressing: Creamy ranch is my preferred dressing for this BBQ chicken salad. Feel free to use something else if you prefer.
Ingredients for BBQ chicken salad arranged in separate dishes.Ingredients for BBQ chicken salad arranged in separate dishes.

Variations To Try

I like to grill the BBQ chicken breasts to top off this salad, but you can cook with any method you prefer. Just add the barbecue rub to the chicken, then pan sear it, bake it, or Air Fry it!

You can also use leftover shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken, or BBQ pulled chicken.

How to Store

This BBQ chicken salad is best assembled and served fresh. But you can store the barbecue chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the other salad ingredients separately until ready to assemble.

Drizzling barbecue sauce on top of a salad with sliced chicken.Drizzling barbecue sauce on top of a salad with sliced chicken.

Notes and Tips

  • Be sure to fully drain all of the canned ingredients to get rid of excess moisture, or else they can make the salad soggy.
  • Drizzle your favorite BBQ sauce on top of this chicken salad to give it that final kick of flavor–sweet, tangy, or spicy!

Top Reader Review

“I was searching for a recipe for bbq chicken salad like I had at the Daily Grille in Palm Desert a handful of years ago. The salad was so gosh-darned-great I never forgot it but couldn’t figure out exactly the combo. This recipe is DA BOMB! Super easy and deliciously crunchy, spicy, sweet, savory, bright and super-easy with leftover bbq chicken. Thanks so much for posting!” – Mrs. Reynolds

Flat lay photo of a deep dish with BBQ Chicken SaladFlat lay photo of a deep dish with BBQ Chicken Salad

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