BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad Recipe

Introduction

This BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad combines smoky barbecue chicken with fresh veggies and creamy avocado for a flavorful, satisfying meal. Topped with crunchy fried onions and drizzled with ranch and BBQ sauce, it’s perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 cups diced BBQ chicken
• 1 head romaine lettuce (or 2 hearts of romaine)
• 1 cup black beans (prepared, drained, and rinsed)
• 1 cup pico de gallo
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 avocado (sliced)
• ¼ cup ranch dressing (or more to taste)
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce (or more to taste)
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup French fried onions

Instructions

1. Step 1: Chop the romaine lettuce and place it in the base of a large salad bowl.
2. Step 2: Top the lettuce with the diced BBQ chicken, then add the black beans, pico de gallo, diced cucumber, and sliced avocado evenly over the salad.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and French fried onions on top for added flavor and crunch.
4. Step 4: Drizzle ranch dressing and BBQ sauce over the salad to taste before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Swap romaine for mixed greens or spinach for a different texture and flavor.
• Add corn or cherry tomatoes for extra color and sweetness.
• Use grilled chicken instead of BBQ chicken and add a little smoked paprika to mimic the BBQ flavor.
• For a spicier kick, mix some hot sauce into the ranch dressing.

Storage

Store leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm the chicken before adding it back to the salad and toss together fresh. Add avocado and crispy onions just before serving to maintain freshness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You can prepare most ingredients in advance, but it’s best to add avocado, crispy onions, and dressings right before serving to keep the salad fresh and crunchy.

What can I use if I don’t have ranch dressing?

You can substitute ranch with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing or a simple mix of mayonnaise, garlic powder, and herbs for a similar flavor.

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 108 reviews

A flavorful and hearty BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad combining tender BBQ chicken with fresh romaine lettuce, black beans, pico de gallo, cucumber, avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, crispy french fried onions, and drizzled with creamy ranch and tangy BBQ sauce for a satisfying meal.

• Author: Ria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Base

• 1 head romaine lettuce (or 2 hearts of romaine), chopped

Protein & Beans

• 2 cups diced BBQ chicken
• 1 cup black beans, prepared, drained and rinsed

Vegetables & Toppings

• 1 cup pico de gallo
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 avocado, sliced
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup French fried onions

Dressings & Sauces

• ¼ cup ranch dressing (or more to taste)
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce (or more to taste)

Instructions

1. Prepare the lettuce: Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place it in the base of a large salad bowl to form the fresh and crunchy foundation of your salad.
2. Add the protein and additional veggies: Top the chopped lettuce evenly with the diced BBQ chicken, then layer on the black beans, pico de gallo, diced cucumber, and sliced avocado for a mix of flavor and texture.
3. Finish with toppings and dressings: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and French fried onions over the top to add richness and a crispy crunch. Finally, drizzle the ranch dressing and BBQ sauce over the salad to bring all the savory and tangy flavors together. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For a spicier kick, use a spicy BBQ sauce or add jalapeños to the pico de gallo.
• To make this salad vegetarian, substitute the BBQ chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh.
• For a lower fat option, use reduced-fat ranch or BBQ sauce, or substitute the cheese with a lighter cheese or omit it altogether.
• French fried onions add a delightful crunch but can be omitted or replaced with toasted nuts for a gluten-free version.
• Best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the vegetables and the crunchy toppings.

Keywords: BBQ chicken salad, ranch chicken salad, grilled chicken salad, easy summer salad, no cook salad, healthy chicken salad