Fail-Proof BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
This BBQ Chicken Salad is healthy, flavorful, and will come together quickly and easily - your entire family is guaranteed to love it!
A homemade salad is a perfect way to lighten up your meals. But eating out can be quite expensive, especially if you're health conscious and want a salad. If you're looking for a more inexpensive way to make your favorite dish, this homemade version is for you! You won't have to skimp on any of your ingredients, either.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless thin-sliced chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 whole Roma tomato, diced
- ¾ cup canned corn kernels, drained
- ¾ cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup Ranch dressing
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup tortilla strips
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high.
- Season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper, to taste. Then, add them to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until they're cooked all the way through. Let them cool off before cutting them into bite-size pieces.
- Put romaine lettuce in a large salad bowl. On top of the lettuce, add chicken, tomato, corn, beans, and onion. sprinkle cheese on top before adding Ranch dressing and BBQ sauce. Gently stir all ingredients together until coated with sauces.
- Serve this dish immediately after preparing it, and top it with tortilla strips.
Salad Dressing Alternative
If you're tired of the same old ranch dressing and BBQ sauce, you might want to give this Cilantro-Lime Ranch Dressing a shot! Below is the recipe for the dressing.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk (or as needed to thin)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
To make the dressing, get a bowl or Mason jar and mix mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, chopped cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Whisk or shake until everything blends well. Taste the mixture and add kosher salt as required. Put the dressing in the fridge and keep it covered until it's time to use it for the salad.
What are some ways to determine if chicken has been cooked thoroughly?
There are a few ways to tell if chicken breasts are cooked:
- Internal temperature: The most accurate way to confirm if chicken breasts are fully cooked is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, making sure it doesn't touch bone. Cooked chicken should have an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Visual cues: When the chicken is cooked, the juices should run clear, not pink. The chicken should also be firm to the touch, but not hard or rubbery.
- Time and color: Fully cooked chicken breasts should be white or light brown on the outside. Depending on the cooking method, they usually take around 20-25 minutes to cook through, but this can vary based on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts.
It's important to ensure that chicken is fully cooked to avoid potential foodborne illness.
What to pair with BBQ Chicken Salad
BBQ chicken salad pairs well with a variety of sides, such as:
- Corn on the cob
- Baked beans
- Grilled vegetables (such as zucchini, peppers, and onions)
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
- Garlic bread or toast
- Sweet potato fries
- Watermelon slices
- Grilled peaches or pineapple
- Macaroni and cheese
These sides can add a balance of sweetness, tanginess, and crunch to complement the BBQ flavors in the chicken salad.
Enjoy your delicious and fail-proof BBQ Chicken Salad! With this recipe, you can easily make it a healthy meal that everyone in the family will love. Experimenting with different sides and dressings makes it even more enjoyable.
Keep this recipe handy for those days when you don't have time to go out for a salad - or simply want to save some money making your own. Bon appetit!
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