Description
This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring marinated grilled chicken skewers, fresh vegetables, and a homemade herby ranch dressing. Perfect for warm-weather meals, this protein-packed salad is fresh, smoky, and satisfying!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 8 wooden skewers (pre-soaked)
For the Herby Ranch Dressing:
- 1 cup light-tasting oil (avocado or light olive oil)
- 1 egg (omit if using store-bought mayo)
- ½ cup unsweetened full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp black pepper
For the Salad:
- 4 ears corn (omit for Whole30)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 8 cups romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
- 6 green onions, sliced (green parts only)
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, quartered
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed (omit for Whole30)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- Pound chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness and cut into 2-inch pieces.
- In a large bowl, mix chicken with avocado oil, kosher salt, and 1 cup BBQ sauce. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes or refrigerate for 4–8 hours.
Make the Herby Ranch Dressing:
- In a jar, add oil and crack an egg into it. Let egg settle at the bottom.
- Insert an immersion blender and blend until emulsified (about 10 seconds).
- Add coconut milk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, onion powder, and garlic. Blend again.
- Stir in dill, parsley, and black pepper. Set aside.
Prepare the Salad Components:
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Brush corn with avocado oil and grill for about 10 minutes until charred. Let cool and cut kernels off the cob.
- In a large bowl, mix romaine, green onions, tomatoes, black beans, cilantro, basil, and avocado. Add grilled corn.
Grill the Chicken Skewers:
- Thread marinated chicken onto pre-soaked skewers.
- Grill for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with remaining BBQ sauce.
Assemble the Salad:
- Drizzle herby ranch dressing over salad and toss to coat.
- Divide among plates and top each with a BBQ chicken skewer. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh.
- Spicy Twist: Add jalapeños to the salad or hot sauce to the dressing.
- Alternative Greens: Swap romaine for mixed greens or spinach.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Store components separately and assemble before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
