If you’re looking for your new favorite summer dinner, the BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is about to win your heart! Imagine smoky, juicy grilled chicken skewers piled high on crisp salad greens, surrounded by bursts of sweet corn, creamy avocado, tangy tomatoes, and melty cheddar—all drizzled with your favorite dressing. This salad brings together the nostalgia of a backyard BBQ with the fresh crunch of a garden salad, making it perfect for everything from cookouts to busy weeknights when you crave something hearty but wholesome.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is how manageable the ingredient list is. Every single piece serves a purpose—from the smokiness of the paprika to the freshness of the greens—creating a salad that’s layered with texture and color, but never complicated.
- Chicken breasts: Lean and protein-packed, chicken breasts are the star of the show and soak up all the BBQ flavor beautifully.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite, whether smoky, spicy, or sweet—the BBQ sauce caramelizes on the grill and brings irresistible flavor.
- Olive oil: Helps keep the chicken juicy and ensures a golden char on the grill.
- Smoked paprika: Adds that bold, smoky depth that takes the chicken up a notch.
- Garlic powder: A little punch of savory goodness for perfectly seasoned chicken.
- Salt: Essential for balancing flavors and making everything pop.
- Black pepper: Adds a touch of gentle heat to complement the smokiness.
- Mixed salad greens: The base for your salad—choose a blend with both tender and crisp leaves for the best bite.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their juicy, tangy sweetness wakens up every forkful.
- Corn: Adds a subtle sweetness and golden color; grilled corn gives extra flavor.
- Avocado: Creamy, rich avocado balances the smoky chicken and crunchy greens.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced, it brings a little zing and beautiful color contrast.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts ever so slightly over the warm chicken and ties the flavors together.
- Ranch or creamy dressing: Optional, but the cool creaminess marries perfectly with the rest of the salad.
- Wooden or metal skewers: The trusty tool for BBQ magic—if using wood, remember to soak them first to avoid burning.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, toss the chicken cubes with BBQ sauce, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Ensure each piece is well-coated—this is your ticket to major flavor. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. If you opt for wooden skewers, soak them in water now so they don’t burn on the grill.
Step 2: Prepare Your Grill and Skewers
Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. While it’s coming up to temperature, thread the marinated chicken onto your skewers, packing the pieces together but not too tightly. Lining up those skewers is like setting the stage for the BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad’s grand entrance!
Step 3: Grill the Chicken
Grill your chicken skewers for about 10 to 12 minutes, turning them every few minutes and brushing with extra BBQ sauce as they cook. The chicken should be charred in spots and cooked through—juicy, smoky, and just glazed in those saucy edges.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
While the chicken sizzles, layer the salad greens in a large bowl or individual plates. Top with halved cherry tomatoes, corn, creamy avocado slices, zingy red onion, and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar. The colors alone will make you hungry!
Step 5: Add Chicken and Dressing
Top each salad with the hot, freshly grilled BBQ chicken skewers. Drizzle with ranch or your favorite creamy dressing if you like, and serve up your BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad while the chicken is still warm for ultimate deliciousness.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad
Garnishes
This salad truly dazzles with a final touch. Sprinkle on extra shredded cheddar, a handful of crushed tortilla chips for crunch, or a scatter of fresh herbs like cilantro to echo those summertime vibes. Each garnish brings something new to the BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad experience.
Side Dishes
Pair your salad with fresh-baked cornbread, a light fruit salad, or simple grilled veggies. While BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad feels hearty enough on its own, a cool lemonade or iced tea beside it really makes it a meal to remember.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, arrange the salad bar-style and let guests build their own bowls, or line up skewers on a platter over vibrant greens for a striking centerpiece. Mini skewers make fabulous party appetizers, or tuck them into flatbreads for an on-the-go BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad wrap.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra, store the chicken skewers and salad separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps the greens crisp and the chicken moist for up to three days. Assemble just before eating for maximum freshness.
Freezing
While the salad ingredients won’t freeze well, the grilled BBQ chicken skewers are freezer-friendly! Remove the chicken from the skewers and freeze in a sealed bag for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat chicken, use a microwave or warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce—just until heated through. Avoid overcooking so the chicken stays juicy. Then build your BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad as usual, using fresh greens and veggies for best flavor.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay super tender and juicy on the grill, making them a tasty swap in your BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad. Just adjust for a slightly longer cooking time if using larger pieces.
What type Main Course, Salad
Go with whatever BBQ sauce you love—smoky, spicy, sweet, or tangy. Homemade or store-bought both work wonderfully, just be generous when marinating and basting for deep flavor.
Can this salad be made dairy-free?
Yes! Skip the cheese or use a dairy-free shredded cheese, and choose a dairy-free ranch dressing. All the other vibrant fixings keep this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad exciting and satisfying.
How can I make the salad heartier?
Add black beans, crunchy tortilla strips, or even cooked quinoa for extra heft and texture. It’s easy to bulk up the BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad based on your taste and what’s in your pantry.
What’s the best way to meal prep this salad?
Marinate and grill the chicken in advance, and store ready-to-go salad veggies in containers. When hunger strikes, toss everything together for a quick, satisfying BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad with zero fuss.
Final Thoughts
Ready to make your next meal unforgettable? This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad promises vibrant color, bold flavor, and plenty of rave reviews from everyone at your table. Give it a try—you might just discover a new summer favorite you’ll crave all year round!
Print
BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is a delightful mix of smoky, grilled chicken skewers over a bed of fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, corn, avocado, and cheddar cheese, drizzled with your favorite dressing. Perfect for a summer cookout or a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1½-inch cubes)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (plus more for serving)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- wooden or metal skewers
For the Salad:
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or grilled)
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- ½ small red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ranch or creamy dressing (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken, BBQ sauce, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
- Grill the Chicken: Grill the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with extra BBQ sauce.
- Assemble the Salad: Layer greens, cherry tomatoes, corn, avocado, red onion, and cheddar cheese in a serving bowl or plates.
- Serve: Top the salad with hot BBQ chicken skewers and drizzle with dressing, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This salad is perfect for summer cookouts or weeknight dinners.
- Swap cheddar for feta or blue cheese for a flavor twist.
- Add black beans or tortilla strips for extra texture and heartiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
