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To make BBQ ranch chicken salad, you'll need the following ingredients: - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded - 4 cups mixed salad greens (like romaine and arugula) - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned, drained) - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup ranch dressing - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce - 1 avocado, diced - Salt and pepper to taste - Optional: tortilla chips for crunch You can easily switch out some ingredients based on what you have: - Use grilled turkey instead of chicken for a leaner option. - Try spinach or kale in place of salad greens for a different flavor. - Swap cherry tomatoes with diced cucumber for a fresh twist. - Use black beans instead of corn for added protein and fiber. - Substitute Greek yogurt for ranch dressing to cut calories. - Choose a different cheese like pepper jack for a spicy kick. - If you don't have BBQ sauce, try a tangy vinaigrette instead. This salad is not only tasty but also packed with good nutrition. Here’s a quick look at what you get per serving: - Calories: About 400 - Protein: 30 grams - Carbohydrates: 30 grams - Dietary Fiber: 5 grams - Sugars: 5 grams - Fat: 20 grams - Saturated Fat: 8 grams The chicken gives protein, while the veggies add vitamins and fiber. The avocado provides healthy fats. You can adjust the toppings to make it healthier or more indulgent. Enjoy this salad as a meal or a side dish! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather all your ingredients. You will need: - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded - 4 cups mixed salad greens - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup corn kernels - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup ranch dressing - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce - 1 avocado, diced - Salt and pepper to taste - Optional: tortilla chips First, shred your cooked chicken. You can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken. This saves time. Next, prepare your veggies. Wash and chop the salad greens, cherry tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, and red onion. Set them aside in a large bowl. Now, take a large mixing bowl. Add the shredded chicken, ranch dressing, and BBQ sauce. Mix them well until the chicken is fully coated. This step adds great flavor to your salad. Next, in a large salad bowl, layer the mixed salad greens. Then, pour the cherry tomatoes, corn, diced red bell pepper, and sliced red onion on top. Spoon the BBQ ranch chicken mixture over the vegetables. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and diced avocado on top. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. You can mix it all together gently or serve it in layers. If you want a crunchy touch, add crushed tortilla chips just before serving. This gives your salad a nice texture. Serve this salad in bowls or on plates. It makes a great lunch or dinner. Enjoy your BBQ ranch chicken salad with family and friends! To shred chicken easily, use warm, cooked chicken. I like to use two forks. Hold one fork steady. Use the other fork to pull apart the chicken. This method works great for both breasts and thighs. You can also use your hands if the chicken is cool enough. For quick shredding, try a stand mixer. Just mix on low speed for a minute or two. When picking salad greens, look for bright colors. They should feel crisp and firm. Check for any brown spots or wilting. Romaine and arugula work well in this salad. You can also mix in some spinach or kale. If buying pre-washed greens, check the expiration date. Fresh greens make your salad taste better. While ranch and BBQ sauce are great, you can mix it up! Try adding honey for a sweet twist. You can use Greek yogurt instead of ranch for a lighter option. For a kick, add some hot sauce to the BBQ. You can also try a zesty vinaigrette. Mix it with a splash of lime juice for freshness. Don't be afraid to experiment; find what suits your taste! Pro Tips Perfectly Shredded Chicken: For the best texture, use warm chicken and shred it with two forks or your hands; this makes it easier to mix with the dressing. Fresh Ingredients Matter: Always opt for fresh vegetables and herbs to elevate the flavor of your salad; it makes a significant difference. Customize Your Dressing: Feel free to adjust the ratio of ranch to BBQ sauce based on your taste; a little extra BBQ can add a delightful smoky flavor. Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken and chop the vegetables in advance; just combine everything right before serving to keep the greens crisp. {{image_2}} You can make a tasty vegetarian BBQ ranch salad. Replace the chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh. Both options soak up flavors well. Use the same BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. Add more veggies like grilled zucchini or portobello mushrooms for extra texture. This keeps the salad filling and fun. For a kick, add some heat to your salad. Mix in sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. You can also swap regular BBQ sauce for a spicy version. This gives the salad a nice zing. Pair it with pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for added spice. Change the salad based on what’s in season. In spring, add fresh peas and asparagus. For summer, toss in cucumbers and radishes. In fall, roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash taste great. Winter calls for hearty greens like kale or spinach. These swaps keep your salad fresh and exciting all year long! Store leftover BBQ ranch chicken salad in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge. If you have mixed greens, store them separately. This way, they stay crisp. To meal prep, make the chicken mixture ahead. Combine chicken, ranch dressing, and BBQ sauce. Store it in a jar. Keep the salad greens and other veggies in another container. This keeps everything fresh for your week. The salad will last about three days in the fridge. After that, the greens may wilt. If you freeze it, the texture may change. So, enjoy it fresh for best taste! Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds great flavor. Just shred the chicken and mix it with the dressing and BBQ sauce. This way, you skip cooking chicken from scratch. The salad will still taste amazing! You can use blue cheese dressing or honey mustard dressing. Both options give a tasty twist to the salad. If you want something lighter, try a vinaigrette. Experiment with flavors you love! This salad lasts about three days in the fridge. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. If the salad has crushed tortilla chips, add them just before serving. This keeps them crunchy! This blog post covered everything you need to make a delicious BBQ ranch chicken salad. We explored the ingredients, provided useful substitutions, and shared important nutritional info. I walked you through step-by-step instructions for preparation and serving, plus tips for shredding chicken and choosing fresh greens. You learned about exciting variations, storage tips, and answers to common questions. Now, you can enjoy a tasty, easy-to-make salad any time! Happy cooking!

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

A delicious and hearty salad featuring shredded chicken, mixed greens, and a tangy BBQ ranch dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 4 cups mixed salad greens (like romaine and arugula)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned, drained)
  • 1 unit red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 2 ranch dressing
  • 1 2 BBQ sauce
  • 1 unit avocado, diced
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • optional tortilla chips for crunch

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, ranch dressing, and BBQ sauce. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
  • In a large salad bowl, layer the mixed salad greens as the base.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes, corn, diced red bell pepper, and sliced red onion on top of the greens.
  • Spoon the BBQ ranch chicken mixture over the vegetables.
  • Top with shredded cheddar cheese and diced avocado.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste, and gently toss if you like, or serve it as layered individual portions.
  • If desired, add crushed tortilla chips on top for a crunchy finish just before serving.

Notes

Add tortilla chips for extra crunch if desired.
Keyword BBQ, chicken, healthy, ranch, salad