Get ready to fire up your tastebuds with BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal! This vibrant salad is the perfect collision of smoky barbecued chicken, crunchy romaine, sweet corn, creamy avocado, and tangy dressing. Every bite brings together the zest of summer grilling and the hearty satisfaction of a loaded meal-sized salad. Whether you’re gathering friends for a backyard feast or just craving something fresh and bold for dinner, BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal is destined to become your new weekly obsession.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe is simple yet totally purposeful, layering flavors and textures into every forkful. From juicy, flame-licked chicken to the sweet pop of corn, every element helps make BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal live up to its name.
- Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast soaks up all the barbecue flavor and grills to tender perfection.
- Barbecue sauce: A generous coating gives the chicken sweet, smoky, and tangy notes—choose your favorite!
- Olive oil: Locks in moisture and adds richness to the marinade.
- Garlic powder: An effortless way to build savory depth without having to chop garlic cloves.
- Smoked paprika: Adds subtle woodsy, smoky warmth that’s irresistible on the grill.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning every layer and making the flavors pop.
- Romaine lettuce: Provides crunch and a cool, fresh base for the warm toppings.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their juicy sweetness balances the smoky chicken nicely.
- Corn kernels: Use fresh, frozen, or grilled for little pops of sweetness in every bite.
- Black beans: Creamy and hearty, they add substance to the salad and make it more filling.
- Red onion: A little sharpness cuts through the richness and lifts up the whole salad.
- Avocado: Creamy slices cool things down and bring healthy fats to the table.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional): Adds melty, gooey richness if you like a bit of indulgence—totally optional!
- Ranch or creamy dressing: The creamy drizzle ties everything together and makes every bite luxurious.
- Wooden or metal skewers: For threading and grilling the chicken—just soak wooden ones first to keep them from burning.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by tossing your chicken cubes in barbecue sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir so every piece is totally coated. Cover and let that magic happen for at least 20 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the fridge if you have the time) to really soak in those flavors.
Step 2: Thread and Grill the Skewers
Next, slide your marinated chicken pieces onto skewers. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lay your skewers on the grill, giving them a little space in between. Turn occasionally and cook for about 10–12 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and you see those beautiful charred edges. A little caramelization is what transforms this into BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal!
Step 3: Prepare the Salad Base
While your chicken is sizzling away, create your salad canvas. Scatter chopped romaine, halved cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, thinly sliced red onion, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese (if using) into a big bowl or divvy them up onto plates. Get ready to layer on the flavor.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
As soon as your chicken is hot off the grill, you’ve got two fun options: perch the skewers right on top for dramatic flair, or slide the chicken off and scatter those juicy bites all over the salad. Either way, every forkful will be loaded with goodness.
Step 5: Dress and Enjoy
Finish your BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal by drizzling generously with ranch or your favorite creamy dressing, plus an extra zigzag of barbecue sauce if you’re feeling bold. Serve right away while the chicken is still warm and irresistible.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal
Garnishes
The right garnish can turn your salad from everyday to extraordinary. Shredded cheddar, a dusting of smoked paprika, sliced scallions, or even a few crunchy tortilla strips are all amazing finishing touches. A wedge of lime on the side adds a fresh, zesty squeeze that wakes up the whole dish.
Side Dishes
BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal is hearty enough to stand alone, but if you want to round out your meal, serve it with warm cornbread, grilled pita, or a chilled fruit salad. A crisp iced tea or sparkling lemonade is a perfect companion for those smoky-sweet flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a picnic or party, serve the salad family-style on a big platter with colorful rows of toppings for a wow-worthy spread. Or, turn it into individual mason jar salads for meal prep—you can stack the veggies and chicken in layers for a gorgeous, portable lunch. Skewer salads make for a showstopping centerpiece at any barbecue or dinner gathering!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken and salad components in separate airtight containers in the fridge to keep everything fresh and crisp. Combine just before serving for the best texture. Salad with dressing on it will keep for a day, but undressed components last even longer.
Freezing
You can freeze grilled chicken skewers for up to two months. Wrap tightly and reheat from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge before serving over fresh salad. Don’t freeze salad greens or veggies, as they’ll lose their crunch.
Reheating
Gently warm your chicken skewers in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or quickly zap them in the microwave just until heated through. The goal is to warm without drying—the barbecue sauce will help keep them moist and flavorful for your next BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are even juicier and work beautifully on the grill. Just adjust grilling time as needed, since thighs may take a minute or two longer than breast meat.
What’s the best barbecue sauce to use?
Use your personal favorite—whether that’s smoky, spicy, or honey-sweet. Homemade or store-bought both work; the key is picking a sauce you love since it stars in the marinade and finishing drizzle.
How can I make this salad vegetarian?
Easy swap: Use marinated and grilled tofu or tempeh skewers instead of chicken! The BBQ marinade pairs really well with both, making BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal delightfully meatless.
What if I don’t have a grill?
No worries! You can cook the skewers on a grill pan or even under your oven’s broiler. Just watch closely and turn them often to get that caramelized outside and juicy inside.
Can I meal prep this recipe?
BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal was born for meal prep. Store the chicken and veggies separately in the fridge, then toss everything together and dress right before eating for a fresh, crave-worthy lunch or dinner.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a meal that’s equal parts fresh, satisfying, and packed with flavor, BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal deserves a spot on your table. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how a few simple steps and everyday ingredients can create something downright extraordinary!
Print
BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Meal Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is the ultimate summer meal that combines tender grilled chicken skewers with a hearty salad base, topped with your favorite creamy dressing and extra BBQ sauce. This gluten-free dish is both satisfying and delicious.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce (plus extra for serving)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 1 large romaine heart (chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or grilled)
- ½ cup black beans (rinsed and drained)
- ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ avocado (sliced)
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Ranch or creamy dressing of choice
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken with barbecue sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 4 hours in the fridge.
- Prepare the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Grill the Chicken: Cook the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Assemble the Salad: While the chicken cooks, arrange romaine, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, red onion, avocado, and cheese (if using) in a bowl or individual plates.
- Finish and Serve: Place the hot skewers on top of the salad or remove the chicken and scatter over the salad. Drizzle with dressing and extra BBQ sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This salad is great for meal prep—store components and grilled chicken separately and combine just before eating.
- You can substitute grilled tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad with chicken
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
