BBQ Chicken Salad
- By Amy Dong
- Updated May. 16, 2025
I make this BBQ Chicken Salad when I need a salad my teen boys will actually devour. With perfectly grilled chicken, beans, corn, and crisp greens, it’s a protein-packed, boldly flavorful meal.
In This Article
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
This BBQ Chicken Salad is my go-to when I want something hearty, fresh, and full of flavor with zero fuss. Here’s why I keep it in rotation:
- It’s a Meal in One Bowl: Grilled chicken, crisp romaine, black beans, corn, tomatoes, cheddar – this salad is loaded and satisfying. It reminds me of everything I love about our BBQ Chicken Pizza but in salad form.
- Use Your Favorite Sauces: I mix my favorite ranch and honey BBQ sauce. If you love ranch flavors, try our Ranch Roasted Potatoes.
- Meal Prep Friendly: I prep all the salad ingredients ahead and toss them fresh when it’s time to eat.
- So Good, I Repurpose It: Leftovers become BBQ Chicken Sandwiches the next day. Leftovers hold up well, like they do in our BBQ Ribs – sweet, tangy, and totally satisfying.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Grilled Chicken – Juicy, chopped grilled chicken adds satisfying protein and makes the salad feel like a complete, hearty meal.
- Romaine Lettuce – Crisp romaine serves as the fresh, crunchy base that holds up well under all the toppings and dressing.
- Black Beans & Corn – These pantry staples add texture, fiber, and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Cheddar Cheese – Shredded cheddar offers creamy sharpness and helps balance the tangy, smoky flavors in the salad.
- Ranch Dressing & BBQ Sauce – A drizzle of ranch paired with sweet BBQ sauce gives the salad its signature flavor—creamy, tangy, and smoky all in one bite.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Add Crunch: Toss in some crushed tortilla chips, crispy fried onions, or roasted chickpeas for added crunch just before serving.
- Onion Adjustments: Red onions give a punch, but you can mellow them by soaking in cold water first.
- Corn Variations: Canned corn is easy, but grilled or charred corn adds a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the BBQ vibe. Frozen corn (thawed) also works in a pinch.
Key Recipe Instructions
- Dry chicken, pound to even thickness, and marinate in BBQ sauce.
- Grill chicken 4 minutes per side. Outdoor grill or indoor cast iron grill both work.
- Combine all salad ingredients and toss with plenty of BBQ sauce and ranch dressing.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep the Chicken Ahead: Grill and chop the chicken up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge so it’s ready to toss into the salad when you are.
- Chop & Store the Veggies: You can chop the romaine, tomatoes, onion, and drain the beans and corn ahead of time. Store each ingredient separately or layer them (without dressing) in a large container or mason jars for grab-and-go salads.
What To Serve With BBQ Chicken Salad
Other Tex-Mex Dishes
- We love pairing this BBQ Chicken Salad with a scoop of Best Easy Mexican Rice. It’s fluffy, flavorful, and ties in beautifully with the salad’s black beans, corn, and BBQ flavors.
- It also goes great with the 4-Ingredient Salsa Verde Enchilada Bake, especially if you’re turning the salad into a full Tex-Mex dinner spread.
Hearty Add-Ons
- If we’re making this salad the centerpiece of a weeknight dinner, we like to round it out with something hearty like the 30-Minute Mexican Chicken and Quinoa Stew. It’s protein-packed and perfect for cooler nights.
- It also goes great with one of the 15 Easy Potato Recipes if you want to add something warm and comforting to the table.
Summer Drinks
- We love sipping a 4-Ingredient Mango Margarita with this BBQ Chicken Salad. It’s fruity, tropical, and brings out the sweetness in the honey BBQ sauce.
- It also goes beautifully with 5-Minute Strawberry Margaritas or classic 3-Ingredient Lemonade Margaritas when you’re keeping things simple and refreshing.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
BBQ Chicken Salad
This BBQ Chicken Salad is easy, delicious, and full of goodness. Packed with grilled chicken, tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheese, and greens; topped with your favorite honey BBQ sauce. You can't go wrong with this one!
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 TB olive oil
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 head fresh romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- ½ cup canned corn kernels, drained
- ½ cup canned black beans, drained well (rinse if desired)
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- ⅔ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- 1 ¼ cup honey BBQ sauce, divided
Optional Toppings
- tortilla strips or croutons
Instructions
- Use paper towels to pat dry chicken well. Place a sheet of cling wrap over the chicken and use a meat tenderizer to pound chicken to an even 1/2" thickness throughout.
- Sprinkle both sides of chicken pieces with a light, even layer of kosher salt and black pepper. Pour 1 cup BBQ sauce over the chicken, ensuring pieces are fully submerged in sauce. Marinate for 10 minutes.
- Grease outdoor grill or cast iron pan and heat until very hot and smoking. Cook chicken about 4 minutes per side, or just until no longer pink in center – do not overcook. Immediately remove from heat and let chicken rest on cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing.
- In a large bowl, add lettuce, tomatoes, corn, beans, onions, and cheese. Add sliced chicken. Drizzle with ranch dressing and
- Drizzle ranch dressing and remaining 1/4 cup BBQ sauce over the salad and gently toss to combine well.
- Serve immediately. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Grilling the chicken ahead of time and storing it in the fridge makes this salad quick to throw together on busy weeknights or for easy lunches.
- To keep things fresh, prep all your ingredients ahead of time but wait to dress the salad until just before serving. This keeps the lettuce crisp and prevents sogginess.
- Turn leftovers into an entirely new meal by wrapping them in a large tortilla for a BBQ Ranch Chicken wrap – it’s just as good the second time around.
- This recipe is part of our Chicken Salad Recipes Collection.
- It also goes great with 5-Minute Strawberry Margaritas or classic 3-Ingredient Lemonade Margaritas!
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 698mg | Potassium: 1088mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 14175IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 216mg | Iron: 3mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for this salad?
Yes! Rotisserie chicken or any leftover grilled chicken works perfectly here. Just chop it up and toss it in to save time.
What kind of lettuce is best for chopped salads?
Romaine is ideal for its crisp texture and sturdy leaves. It holds up well to hearty toppings and dressing without getting soggy too quickly.
Do I need to rinse the canned black beans and corn?
The corn can be drained straight from the can, but rinsing the black beans helps remove excess salt and gives a fresher flavor. Totally optional, though.
What else can I do with this salad mix?
It makes an awesome sandwich or wrap filling! Toss everything together and stuff it into a tortilla or toasted bun for a tasty BBQ ranch chicken sandwich.
How long does the BBQ Chicken Salad recipe keep?
When stored without dressing, it’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Once dressed, it’s best eaten right away to keep the lettuce crisp.
More to Cook And Eat
- Tex Mex Chicken Burrito Bowl – This Tex Mex Chicken Burrito Bowl is chock full of bright, bold flavors and packed with protein. It’s a fun, filling way to load up on veggies and flavor.
- Carnitas Burrito Bowl – This Carnitas Burrito Bowl is full of healthy flavor and tender slow-cooked pork. It’s the kind of meal you’ll want to eat again and again.
- Mexican Quinoa (One Pot) – This one-pot Mexican quinoa is chock full of protein, fiber, and zesty flavor. It’s a fast and healthy dinner that checks all the boxes.
- BBQ Ribs (Oven Baked, Extra Tender) – These saucy, oven-baked BBQ Ribs can be prepared ahead of time and broiled to finish. They’re juicy, tender, and packed with BBQ flavor.