Name: BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD: A Wicked Ranch 1-Hour Meal
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts; Avocado Oil; Kosher Salt; Store-Bought BBQ Sauce; Wooden Skewers; Large Egg; Unsweetened, Full-Fat Coconut Milk; Lemon Juice; Red Wine Vinegar; Onion Powder; Garlic Cloves; Fresh Dill; Fresh Parsley; Freshly Ground Black Pepper; Corn on the Cob; Romaine Lettuce; Green Onions; Grape Tomatoes; Canned Black Beans; Fresh Cilantro; Fresh Basil; Avocado

Jump to Recipe

Summer’s here, and that means one thing: firing up the grill! But let’s be honest, sometimes you want something a little lighter than the usual burgers and dogs. That’s where my BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD comes in – it’s seriously the best of both worlds. I’ve always loved BBQ chicken, but sometimes it feels a bit… heavy. This salad? Total game-changer.

It’s got all that smoky, sweet BBQ flavor you crave, but piled on top of a mountain of fresh veggies. Trust me, it’s a surprisingly healthy and totally satisfying meal. And the star of the show? My homemade herby ranch dressing. Seriously, forget the bottled stuff – this ranch is creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh herbs. It really elevates this BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD to something special. I’ve been making this recipe for years, tweaking it until it’s absolutely perfect for my family. This is truly a tried-and-true recipe!

Why You’ll Love This BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Okay, so why should you make this BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD? Let me tell you – it’s a total winner! Here’s the lowdown:

Quick and Easy BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Seriously, who wants to spend all day in the kitchen? This comes together in under an hour. Score!

Flavorful BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD with Homemade Ranch

That BBQ chicken with the smoky sweetness? Then you hit it with the cool, herby ranch? It’s a flavor explosion, I swear!

Healthy and Satisfying BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

All that lean chicken and those fresh veggies? You get a big, satisfying meal that’s actually good for you. What’s not to love?

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Ingredients for Your BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Don’t worry, you probably have a lot of this stuff already. I always try to keep it simple, ya know?

Chicken and Marinade Ingredients

You’ll need some boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized, 2-inch pieces. Makes it easier to skewer! Then grab some avocado oil (I like the flavor!), kosher salt, and your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce. Seriously, use whatever BBQ sauce you love. No judgment here!

Skewers and Salad Base

Don’t forget the wooden skewers! Soak ’em in water for a bit so they don’t burn on the grill. For the salad itself, you’ll want romaine lettuce, chopped, some sliced green onions, halved grape tomatoes, and a can of black beans, rinsed and drained. Gotta get those veggies in!

Herby Ranch Dressing Ingredients

Okay, for the *amazing* herby ranch, you’ll need a large egg (trust me on this!), unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk (it makes it SO creamy!), lemon juice, red wine vinegar, onion powder, minced garlic cloves (I always use fresh!), chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh parsley, and some freshly ground black pepper. Fresh herbs are KEY here!

Salad Add-Ins

And to really make this salad sing, grab a corn on the cob (or two!), some chopped fresh cilantro, chopped fresh basil, and a perfectly ripe avocado, diced. My favorite part is the avocado… I could eat it all day!

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How to Make BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD: Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cookin’! This BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD might seem a little fancy, but trust me, it’s totally doable. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down in no time!

Marinating the Chicken for the BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

First things first, the chicken! You’ll want to pound those chicken breasts to about 1/2-inch thickness. This helps them cook evenly. Then, cut ’em into 2-inch pieces. Now, for the marinade: toss the chicken with avocado oil, kosher salt, and a generous amount of your favorite BBQ sauce. Get it all nice and coated! Let that sit for at least 20 minutes, but honestly, the longer, the better. I usually go for at least 30 minutes, or even an hour if I have the time. It really soaks up that BBQ flavor!

Preparing the Herby Ranch Dressing for the BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

While the chicken’s marinatin’, let’s make that amazing herby ranch! This is where it gets a little different, but stick with me! You’re gonna make mayonnaise from scratch. It’s easier than you think! In a jar, blend your avocado oil and egg with an immersion blender until it’s thick and creamy. Then, in a separate bowl, blend the coconut milk, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, onion powder, and garlic. Once that’s smooth, stir in your chopped dill, parsley, and pepper. Taste it and adjust as needed! I like a little extra dill. Pop that herby ranch in the fridge to chill while you finish the rest. Oh, and careful with the immersion blender – it splatters!

Grilling the Chicken Skewers and Corn for the BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Okay, time to fire up the grill! Get it to medium-high heat (around 350℉ to 400℉). While it’s heatin’ up, thread those marinated chicken pieces onto your skewers. Then, drizzle your corn on the cob with a little avocado oil. Once the grill is hot, oil the grates! This is important so nothing sticks. Grill the corn, turning it often, until it’s nice and tender. Should take about 10-15 minutes. Set it aside. Now, grill those chicken skewers, basting them with extra BBQ sauce as they cook. Be sure to cook the chicken all the way through! Nobody wants undercooked chicken. This should take about 10-12 minutes, depending on your grill.

Assembling the BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Almost there! In a big bowl, combine your chopped romaine lettuce, sliced green onions, halved grape tomatoes, canned black beans (make sure they’re rinsed!), chopped cilantro, and chopped basil. Pour that amazing herby ranch dressing over the top and toss it all together. Now, cut the corn kernels off the cob and add them to the salad, along with that diced avocado. Toss gently so you don’t smoosh the avocado! Finally, top with those grilled BBQ chicken skewers. Serve it up and enjoy! I promise, you’ll be hooked!

Tips for the Perfect BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Want to take your BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD to the next level? Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned over the years. These will really make it sing!

Marinating Time for Optimal Flavor in Your BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Okay, seriously, don’t skimp on the marinating! I always aim for at least 30 minutes, but if you can let it sit for a few hours? Even better! The longer it marinates, the more that BBQ flavor soaks in. You’ll taste the difference, trust me!

Adjusting the Herby Ranch Dressing to Your Taste in Your BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

That herby ranch is pretty darn good as is, but don’t be afraid to play around with it! More dill? Go for it! A little extra garlic? Why not! It’s your ranch, make it how YOU like it. That’s what cooking’s all about!

Grilling the Chicken Skewers to Perfection for Your BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Whatever you do, please, *please* don’t overcook the chicken! Dry chicken is the worst. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it hits 165℉, and pull it off the grill right away. Juicy chicken is happy chicken (and happy salad!).

BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD Variations

Wanna mix things up a little? This BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD is pretty versatile! Here are a couple of fun twists:

Spicy BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Love a little heat? Toss a pinch of cayenne pepper into that chicken marinade! It adds a nice kick that’ll wake up your taste buds. I’m telling you, it’s SO good!

BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD with Different Vegetables

Feel free to swap out or add in other veggies! Bell peppers, zucchini, red onion… whatever you’re in the mood for! Get creative! It’s a salad – have fun with it!

Serving Suggestions for Your BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Okay, so you’ve got this amazing BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD… what do you serve with it? Well, here are a few of my go-to sides!

Side Dishes to Serve with BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

You can’t go wrong with some cornbread, right? Or how about a classic coleslaw? Potato salad is always a hit, too! Honestly, anything that screams “summer BBQ” will work perfectly with this salad. Yum!

Storing Leftover BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Made too much of this amazing BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD? Don’t worry, leftovers are your friend! Here’s how to keep it fresh.

Best Way to Store Leftover BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Okay, pro tip: store the salad and the chicken skewers separately! If you mix ’em together, the salad gets soggy. Nobody wants that! Just pop ’em in separate containers in the fridge, and you’re good to go. It’ll keep for a couple of days, easy!

Estimated Nutritional Information for BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Okay, so you’re probably wondering about the nutrition, right? I’d say you’re looking at roughly 450 calories, 25g of fat, 30g of protein, and 30g of carbs… but hey, that’s just an estimate!

Common Questions About BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Got questions about this BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD? I figured you might! Here are a few things I get asked all the time:

Can I Use Different BBQ Sauce for this BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD?

Absolutely! Seriously, use whatever BBQ sauce you love! Sweet, smoky, spicy… it’s all good! Just keep in mind that different sauces will give you different flavor profiles. So experiment and find your fave!

Can I Make the Herby Ranch Dressing Ahead of Time for my BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD?

You bet! In fact, I usually do! The herby ranch dressing will keep in the fridge for a few days. Just give it a good stir before you use it. The flavors actually meld together even more as it sits. So it’s a win-win!

Can I Grill the Chicken Skewers Indoors for my BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD?

Totally! If the weather’s not cooperating, or you just don’t feel like firing up the grill, you can definitely grill those chicken skewers indoors. A grill pan works great, or even a cast-iron skillet! Just make sure you get it nice and hot before you add the chicken.

Enjoy Your Delicious BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD

Alright, you’re all set! Go make this amazing BBQ CHICKEN SKEWER SALAD and then come back and tell me what you think! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or share it on social media! I wanna see your creations!