BBQ Chicken Salad (Printable Recipe)

Grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and crunchy tortilla chips tossed in smoky BBQ ranch dressing for a satisfying meal.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ For BBQ Chicken

01 - Oil for greasing grill
02 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
03 - 1 teaspoon seasoned salt or 2 tablespoons homemade dry rub
04 - ½ cup BBQ sauce

→ For Salad

05 - 3 hearts romaine lettuce, chopped
06 - 1 large seedless cucumber, diced
07 - 1 small red onion, minced
08 - 1 pint grape tomatoes, sliced
09 - 1 cup corn kernels
10 - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
11 - ½ cup corn chips or tortilla strips (optional)

→ For BBQ Ranch Dressing

12 - 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
13 - ½ cup ranch dressing

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat and brush the grates lightly with oil. Trim any fat or grizzle off the chicken, place between two pieces of plastic wrap (or parchment paper), and gently pound until each piece of chicken is ½-inch thick. Sprinkle the seasoned salt evenly over each side of the chicken.
02 - Place the seasoned chicken on the grill and cook, undisturbed, for 5 minutes. Flip and grill another 4 minutes. Brush one side of the chicken with BBQ sauce, flip and brush the other side. Continue to cook 2 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 163-165°F (73-74℃). Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
03 - While the chicken is resting, prepare the dressing by combining 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce with ½ cup ranch dressing until well incorporated.
04 - Combine the diced lettuce with diced cucumber, minced onion, halved tomatoes, and corn in a large bowl. Toss to evenly combine.
05 - Dish out the salad base into individual serving dishes. Top with sliced BBQ chicken, shredded cheese, a drizzle of the prepared dressing, and tortilla chips. Serve immediately.

# Extra Tips:

01 - This BBQ Chicken Salad is best served immediately after preparation. Store ingredients separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
02 - Customize toppings with black beans, diced bell peppers, cubed cheese, pickled onions, or pickled jalapenos for variety.
03 - Leftover grilled barbecue chicken can be used for this recipe.