BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

$To make BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad, you will need: - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 4 cups mixed greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula) - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or roasted) - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup ranch dressing - 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for drizzling) - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced - 1 avocado, diced - Salt and pepper to taste - Optional: tortilla chips for crunch You can swap some ingredients if needed. Here are some ideas: - Use rotisserie chicken instead of cooked chicken breast for quick prep. - Try different greens like kale or romaine. - If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, use diced regular tomatoes. - Swap BBQ sauce with honey mustard for a sweet twist. - Use Greek yogurt instead of ranch dressing for a lighter option. - Replace cheddar cheese with feta or goat cheese for a flavor change. - Leave out red onion if you prefer a milder taste. This salad packs a punch in terms of nutrition. Here’s a quick look: - Calories: About 400 per serving - Protein: Roughly 30 grams from chicken and cheese - Fat: Around 20 grams, mostly from the dressing and avocado - Carbs: Approximately 30 grams, coming from veggies and corn - Fiber: Around 5 grams from greens and veggies This salad is balanced, providing protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a great meal choice. {{ingredient_image_1}} To make BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad, you need to gather your ingredients. This dish takes only 15 minutes. It’s quick and easy to prepare. You will enjoy the fresh and bold flavors. 1. In a large bowl, add shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken. 2. In another bowl, place mixed greens. This will be your salad base. 3. Top the greens with halved cherry tomatoes, corn, and sliced red onion. 4. Spread the BBQ chicken over the top of the salad. 5. Drizzle ranch dressing across the salad evenly. 6. Add diced avocado and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. 7. For some crunch, crush tortilla chips and add them if you like. 8. If you want more BBQ flavor, drizzle extra BBQ sauce on top. 9. Toss the salad gently to mix everything just before serving. You can also serve it with dressing on the side. This salad is perfect for lunch or dinner. You can serve it chilled or at room temperature. For a fun twist, pair it with cornbread or sweet potato fries. Enjoy it as a light meal or a tasty side dish. To shred chicken, start with cooked chicken breast. Use two forks to pull the meat apart. Hold one fork steady and use the other to shred. This method gives you nice, even pieces. For even easier shredding, you can use a stand mixer. Just place the chicken in the bowl and mix on low speed. Making ranch dressing is simple and fun. Here’s a quick recipe: Combine 1/2 cup of mayo, 1/2 cup of sour cream, and a splash of buttermilk. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and dill. Mix until smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. You can adjust the flavors to make it your own. Want some heat? Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the salad. To make it sweet, try adding diced mango or a drizzle of honey. You can balance flavors by mixing in some lime juice or vinegar. Always taste as you go. This way, you can find the perfect flavor for your BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad. Pro Tips Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quick option, use store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time without sacrificing flavor. Customize Your Greens: Mix different greens like kale or romaine for varied textures and flavors in your salad. Add Protein Variations: Incorporate other proteins like black beans or chickpeas for a heartier salad. Perfect Avocado: To ensure your avocado is ripe, choose one that has a slightly soft feel when gently squeezed. {{image_2}} You can easily make a vegetarian BBQ Ranch Salad. Start by swapping the chicken for grilled or roasted veggies. I love using zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. These add great flavor and texture. You can also use chickpeas or black beans for protein. They make the salad filling and tasty. Toss in your favorite dressings, like a vegan ranch or a tangy vinaigrette. The fresh veggies still shine through, and you get a delicious meal. If you need a gluten-free BBQ Ranch Salad, check your sauces. Many BBQ sauces and ranch dressings have gluten. Look for gluten-free versions at the store. You can also make your own ranch dressing with yogurt and herbs. Use corn tortillas instead of regular chips for a crunchy topping. This keeps the meal fun and gluten-free. Enjoy your salad without worry! Get creative with add-ons in your BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad. Black beans or kidney beans bring protein and fiber. They also add a nice color. Try adding roasted corn for a sweet burst. You can mix in sliced cucumbers, radishes, or shredded carrots for extra crunch. Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley can brighten the dish. Don't be afraid to experiment! Each add-on can change the flavor and make it unique. You can store leftover BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh. Place it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep the greens crisp, store them separately. This way, they won’t wilt. This salad is best served cold. However, if you want to warm it up, heat just the chicken. Place the chicken in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir it halfway to ensure even heating. Avoid reheating the greens, cheese, or dressing. To make meal prep easy, cook your chicken ahead of time. Shred and store it in the fridge. You can also chop the veggies and keep them in separate containers. Keep the dressing and BBQ sauce on the side until you are ready to eat. This keeps everything fresh and tasty. No, you cannot use raw chicken in this salad. The recipe calls for cooked chicken. Cooking the chicken makes it safe to eat. You can grill, boil, or bake the chicken first. Once cooked, shred it and mix with BBQ sauce. This adds flavor and keeps the salad safe. To make this salad healthier, consider these tips: - Use grilled chicken instead of fried. - Swap ranch dressing for a yogurt-based one. - Add more veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers. - Use less cheese to lower calories. - Skip the tortilla chips for a lighter option. These changes keep the salad fresh and delicious while cutting calories. Serve BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad in a large bowl or individual plates. For a fun twist, use tortilla chips as bowls. This adds crunch and makes it easy to eat. Drizzle extra BBQ sauce on top for flavor. Toss the salad just before serving to keep everything fresh. Enjoy it as a main dish or a side. This post covered key ingredients, cooking steps, and useful tips. You learned how to adjust flavors and explore variations, like vegetarian options. Proper storage and meal prep advice helps keep your meals fresh. Remember, cooking is fun and creative. Don’t hesitate to experiment with your own twists. Enjoy making your BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad, and share what you create!$

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

A delicious and hearty salad featuring shredded chicken, mixed greens, and a tangy BBQ ranch dressing.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
4 cups mixed greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or roasted)
0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
0.5 cup ranch dressing
0.25 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
0.5 unit red onion, thinly sliced
1 unit avocado, diced
to taste salt and pepper
to taste tortilla chips (optional)

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
In another large bowl, place the mixed greens as a base.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, and sliced red onion on top of the greens.
Spread the BBQ-coated chicken over the salad mixture.
Drizzle ranch dressing evenly over the entire salad.
Add the diced avocado and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
If desired, crush some tortilla chips and sprinkle them over the salad for added crunch.
Drizzle additional BBQ sauce on top for an extra kick.
Toss gently to combine all ingredients just before serving or serve as is with dressing on the side.

Notes

Optional: Add tortilla chips for extra crunch.

Keyword BBQ, chicken, healthy, ranch, salad