BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad Recipe

If you’re looking for a salad that’s truly next-level, this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is about to steal the show at your next dinner or backyard cookout. Imagine juicy, smoky chicken skewers straight off the grill, nestled on a bed of crisp romaine, fire-roasted corn, sweet tomatoes, creamy avocado, and finished with a herby homemade ranch. It’s hearty, vibrant, and totally irresistible!

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad shine is a handful of bright, bold ingredients that each play a star role—from juicy marinated chicken to garden-fresh veggies and a dreamy homemade herby ranch. Nothing here is fussy, but every bite delivers on flavor, texture, and color!

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean base for our skewers—pounds easily for perfect grilling and soaks up all that BBQ flavor.
• Avocado Oil: Great for both marinating and grilling, its high smoke point keeps everything juicy and never bitter.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning both the chicken and the homemade dressing, it really brings all the tastes forward.
• BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite brand (Primal Kitchen is a winner!)—it adds the perfect blend of smoky, sweet, and tangy notes.
• Wooden Skewers: These make grilling a breeze—just soak them first to keep them from charring.
• Romaine Lettuce: Crisp, refreshing, and sturdy enough to handle all the toppings and creamy dressing.
• Green Onions: Only the greens are used for a mellow, fresh pop of flavor.
• Grape Tomatoes: Quarter them for juicy bursts of sweetness and gorgeous color.
• Black Beans: These add earthy flavor and protein—just rinse well unless you’re keeping it Whole30.
• Fresh Corn: Grilled right on the cob for a slightly caramelized, smoky-sweet crunch (can be skipped for Whole30).
• Fresh Herbs (Dill, Parsley, Basil, Cilantro): These amp up the vibrancy and make the ranch downright irresistible—don’t skimp!
• Avocado: For creamy, dreamy richness and that gorgeous green hue.
• Homemade Herby Ranch: Made with avocado oil, coconut milk, and loads of fresh herbs (or sub your favorite store-bought mayo for ease).

Variations

One of the best parts about BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad? How effortlessly you can mix things up! Feel free to riff on the base recipe with your own favorite flavors or swap ingredients to fit your dietary needs—it’s a super forgiving canvas, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

• No Grill? No Problem: Broil the chicken skewers in your oven, or even use a grill pan on the stovetop for a similar char.
• Go Dairy-Free: The ranch is dairy-free as written, but you can use store-bought dairy-free ranch or your favorite vinaigrette.
• Add Grains: Toss in cooked quinoa or farro if you want a more filling, grain-based salad bowl experience.
• Switch Up the Protein: Swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or even steak for a twist—and adjust the cooking times as needed.
• Veggie Boost: Add roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or charred red onions to pack in even more color and crunch.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by giving your chicken breasts a quick pounding so they’re perfectly even—this ensures juicy, evenly cooked skewers. Cube the chicken, toss it with avocado oil, salt, and a generous pour of BBQ sauce, and let it marinate. Even just 20 minutes at room temp works, but if you have time, a few hours in the fridge will really let those smoky flavors soak in.

Step 2: Whip Up the Herby Ranch

The homemade herby ranch sets this salad apart. With an immersion blender, whip up your base right in a jar—avocado oil, an egg, and a squeeze of lemon blend up silky and thick in seconds. Add coconut milk, more lemon, vinegar, plenty of garlic and herbs, and blitz again for a creamy, tangy, ultra-fresh dressing. (Or grab a light store-bought mayo for an even quicker fix!)

Step 3: Grill the Chicken and Corn

Drizzle fresh ears of corn with a little avocado oil and get your grill nice and hot. Grill the corn ‘til it’s smoky and tender, turning every couple minutes. At the same time, grill your skewered chicken, flipping and basting with more BBQ sauce for those irresistible caramelized edges. Your house is going to smell incredible!

Step 4: Chop & Toss the Salad

While the chicken and corn are cooling off, toss together crisp romaine, green onions, sweet grape tomatoes, black beans, herbs, and just enough herby ranch to coat and flavor. Once the corn is cool, slice off the kernels and add them in along with creamy diced avocado. Give everything one gentle toss so each bite gets a taste of every flavor.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Serve big, generous bowls of salad topped with those gorgeous grilled chicken skewers. Drizzle with more ranch, sprinkle with extra herbs or a squeeze of fresh lemon, and dig in. Every bite celebrates the flavors of summer!

How to Serve BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

Garnishes

The finishing touch makes all the difference! Shower the salad with extra chopped herbs like cilantro or basil, add a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper, or even a light squeeze of lemon for a bright zing. A few thinly sliced jalapeños or pickled onions bring just the right hint of heat and tang—such a fun way to personalize your BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad.

Side Dishes

This salad is a total meal on its own, but it’s also perfect with light, summery sides. Think grilled garlic bread, fresh fruit salad, watermelon wedges, or sweet potato fries. If you’re hosting a crowd, pair your BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad with a pitcher of cold lemonade or a simple corn on the cob for the ultimate outdoor feast!

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd-pleaser at your next backyard gathering, build individual skewers and set up a colorful DIY salad bar with bowls of toppings and dressing. Or, go family-style: arrange all the components in a big serving platter, pile the skewers on top, and let everyone dig in. You can even thread mini skewers for appetizer-sized servings—BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad, party style!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad (without dressing) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken, veggies, and salad greens separated from the dressing and avocado to preserve maximum freshness and texture—just add those right before serving.

Freezing

While the salad itself isn’t freezer-friendly (the greens and veggies will lose their crunch), you can absolutely freeze extra marinated or cooked chicken skewers. Simply wrap them tightly and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat when you’re craving another round of BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad!

Reheating

Reheat leftover chicken skewers gently on a grill or in a skillet over medium-low heat just until warmed through. Or, pop them in a 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes. If reheating from frozen, let them thaw completely first. Avoid microwaving to keep that delicious grilled texture intact—your BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad will taste freshly made!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something bold, fresh, and filling, there’s truly nothing like a homemade BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad. It’s joyful to make and even better to share, so gather your favorite people, fire up that grill, and let this vibrant salad become your new summer go-to. Happy cooking!

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