This super easy BBQ chicken salad is a riff on something I make often. Many years ago, right after the birth of my third baby, Natalie brought me a BBQ chicken salad from a restaurant near me called Billygan’s Roadhouse. It hit the spot like none other, and included these little “housemade onion straws” that I am now forever obsessed with. I am always looking for new ways to riff on the combination of saucy BBQ chicken, creamy cool ranch, and the crisp crunch of fresh lettuce. I’ve made it into wraps, and eaten it as a rice bowl, but today I wanted to share the OG.
Craving even more BBQ sauce-ed goodness? Try my BBQ chicken pizza, grilled BBQ chicken, baked BBQ chicken thighs, or if you want another well-dressed salad, you cannot go wrong with a classic Cobb salad.
BBQ Chicken Salad Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cooked chicken: You can use leftover poached or grilled chicken, or some that you’ve purposefully prepped, or just use meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
- Barbecue sauce: The most fun ingredient, because you get to make it yourself (use my recipe, or make your favorite), OR buy a bottle you love. There are so many kinds to choose from, have fun with it!
- Romaine lettuce: You could use other types of lettuce, but make sure to use something really cool and crisp and sturdy. Spring greens and butter lettuce are a little too tender for a salad this hearty.
- Beans: Canned beans are perfect for this recipe. Keep it easy!
- Corn: You could definitely use leftover corn on the cob (cut off the cob) or just use canned.
- Cherry tomatoes: When they’re in season, this recipe becomes truly amazing!
- Avocado: Look for one that’s really ripe and creamy. A gentle squeeze is the best way to check for ripeness.
- Ranch dressing: Homemade ranch is WORTH the extra few minutes, but store-bought is ok.
How To Make the Easiest BBQ Chicken Ranch Salad
- Warm the chicken in the barbecue sauce.
- Top the lettuce with the chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado.
- Serve! Add the little extras (like pickled onions and fried shallots) if you can. They’re delicious, but optional.
Variations
- Add cheese! Some shredded cheddar or Jack cheese would be delicious.
- I would not say no to topping this with cooked crumbled bacon!
- Use blue cheese dressing instead of ranch for a slightly different vibe.
Tips For Success
- If you're using rotisserie chicken, it is easier to shred when it is still a little warm.
- If you don’t have time to make the fried shallots, use tortilla strips from the grocery store or if you have some corn chips, you could crush those up and sprinkle it on top for a little crunch.
- You can mix a little bit of the BBQ sauce into the ranch to really double down on the BBQ flavor.
More Hearty Chicken Salad Recipes
Winner Winner Chicken (Salad) Dinner
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