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BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad
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★★★★★

5 from 14 reviews

A vibrant and hearty BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad featuring tender marinated chicken grilled to perfection, paired with a fresh mix of romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, black beans, grilled corn, and avocado. Tossed in a creamy homemade herby ranch dressing with fresh dill, parsley, and garlic, this salad is perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner with a delightful balance of smoky, tangy, and fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup bbq sauce (Primal Kitchen brand recommended)
  • 8 [6-inch] wooden skewers (pre-soaked)

Herby Ranch Dressing

  • 1 cup light tasting oil
  • 1 egg (omit if using store-bought mayo)
  • ½ cup unsweetened full fat coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh dill fronds
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Salad and Garnishes

  • 4 ears corn (omit for Whole30)
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 8 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce (or 2 small heads)
  • 6 green onions (thinly sliced, green part only)
  • 2 cups quartered grape tomatoes (or 16 ounces)
  • 1 [15-ounce] can black beans, drained and rinsed (omit for Whole30)
  • ¼ cup loosely packed freshly chopped cilantro leaves
  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped basil leaves
  • 1 avocado (peeled, seed removed, diced medium)
  • 1 cup reserved BBQ sauce (from marinade)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet, pound the chicken breasts to an even ½ inch thickness. Cube into 2-inch pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Add 3 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1 cup BBQ sauce; stir well to coat all chicken pieces. Let marinate at least 20 minutes at room temperature or cover and refrigerate for 4-8 hours for deeper flavor.
  2. Prepare the Herby Ranch Dressing: Pour the light tasting oil into a wide mouth jar. Crack the egg into the jar, allowing it to settle at the bottom. Insert an immersion blender with the blade resting on the yolk. Keep the blender steady until a thick, creamy mayo forms at the bottom (about 10 seconds), then blend while slowly moving the blender up and down until fully emulsified. Add coconut milk, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, onion powder, and garlic; blend again to combine. Stir in dill, parsley, and black pepper. Refrigerate dressing until use (keeps up to one week).
  3. Grill the Corn and Chicken: Drizzle corn with 2 tbsp avocado oil and rub to coat evenly. Preheat grill to medium-high (350–400°F), oil grates lightly with a paper towel dipped in oil to prevent sticking. Place corn on grill; cook, turning every 2 minutes, until tender, about 10-12 minutes. Concurrently, grill chicken skewers over direct heat, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until grill marks appear. After flipping, baste the cooked side generously with reserved BBQ sauce and continue grilling until chicken is cooked through, about 3-4 more minutes. Keep the grill closed as much as possible during cooking. Remove corn and chicken from grill; let corn cool.
  4. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine sliced romaine, green onions, quartered grape tomatoes, black beans, cilantro, and basil. Add desired amount of herby ranch dressing and toss to coat the lettuce thoroughly.
  5. Add Corn and Avocado: Remove corn kernels from cobs and add to the salad along with diced avocado. Gently toss again to combine all ingredients evenly.
  6. Serve: Plate the salad with grilled BBQ chicken skewers on top or on the side. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, smoky, and creamy combination.

Notes

  • For Whole30 compliance, omit corn and black beans.
  • If avoiding raw egg, use a mild-flavored store-bought mayo instead of making homemade herby ranch.
  • Pre-soaking wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes helps prevent burning on the grill.
  • Marinating chicken longer (up to 8 hours) enhances flavor and tenderness.
  • This salad can be served warm or chilled depending on your preference.
  • Feel free to swap avocado oil with olive oil if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken salad, grilled chicken skewers, herby ranch dressing, healthy salad, summer salad, grilled corn salad

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/bbq-chicken-skewer-salad/