Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad with Herby Ranch
A vibrant and delicious Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad with Herby Ranch dressing featuring smoky BBQ chicken breasts served over mixed greens, fresh veggies, and topped with a creamy, herb-infused ranch. Quick to prepare and customizable, this salad is perfect for a healthy lunch, dinner, or any casual occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
Salad Base
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (baby spinach, arugula, romaine)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 medium cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Dressings and Toppings
- 1/2 cup herby ranch dressing (ranch combined with freshly chopped parsley and chives)
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Lightly season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brush them generously with BBQ sauce, coating each piece well for that smoky-sweet flavor.
- Grill the Chicken: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and nicely charred. Remove and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Mix the Salad Base: While the chicken grills, combine mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl. Toss lightly to blend flavors.
- Make the Herby Ranch Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk the ranch dressing together with freshly chopped parsley and chives to infuse fresh herb flavors.
- Assemble and Serve: Slice the grilled chicken into strips and place on top of the salad. Drizzle generously with herby ranch dressing and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Marinate chicken in BBQ sauce for at least 30 minutes before grilling to enhance flavor.
- Allow chicken to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even grilling.
- Use fresh herbs in the ranch dressing for best flavor; avoid dried herbs.
- Toss salad lightly with dressing right before serving to prevent soggy greens.
- Use a hot grill and avoid moving chicken too much to achieve grill marks and enhanced flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: BBQ chicken salad, grilled chicken salad, herby ranch dressing, summer salad, easy chicken salad, gluten free salad, healthy lunch