Bbq Chicken Salad Recipe

Zesty BBQ sauce and sweet mango elevate this BBQ chicken salad to a fresh favorite you’ll always want in your weekly meal prep. It’s delicious with sweet potato fries, cornbread, iced tea, chilled lemonade; in fact most things.

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Bbq Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients

Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp lemon and pepper seasoning
• 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
• 1 tsp liquid smoke
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha

Salad:

• 2 cups romaine, chopped
• 1 cup spring mix
• 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/3 cup diced mango
• 1/3 cup roasted corn
• 1/3 cup cucumber, sliced
• 1/3 cup red onion, diced
• 1/3 cup queso fresco or smoked gouda
• 1 tbsp fried onions
• 1 tbsp sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup honey ginger dressing

BBQ Ranch Dressing:

• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 2 tbsp BBQ sauce

How To Make Bbq Chicken Salad Recipe

1. Season and slow-cook the chicken: Rub the paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, chili flakes, parsley, and brown sugar into the chicken meat until well coated. Place the chicken into your slow cooker along with the sliced red onion, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, and sriracha, then leave to cook on a low heat for 4 hours (or high for 2) until the meat is incredibly tender and juicy.
2. Shred and let it soak: Once the chicken is fully cooked, use two forks to shred the meat into thick, succulent strips. Let the shredded chicken sit back in its flavorful slow-cooker juices for another 15 minutes so it can soak up all that smoky, spicy goodness.
3. Mix your BBQ ranch: While the chicken is finishing its soak, stir the ranch and BBQ sauce together in a small bowl until the dressing is perfectly smooth, creamy, and beautifully marbled.
4. Prep your salad stuff: Take a few minutes to wash and chop your romaine and spring mix, then dice your mango, cucumber, and red onion. Portion everything out so that your assembly line is fresh and ready to build.
5. Build your bowl: Layer your fresh greens into a large bowl first, then arrange the tomatoes, mango, corn, cucumber, and cheese on top. Place a generous mound of the warm shredded chicken right in the center, drizzle over both the honey ginger and BBQ ranch dressings, and finish with a sprinkle of fried onions and sliced almonds for a final bit of cheeky crunch.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the best smoky flavor: Don’t skip the liquid smoke; just one teaspoon provides that authentic “off-the-grill” aroma that defines a great BBQ salad.
• How to choose the perfect mango: Use a mango that is slightly firm to the touch; if it’s too soft, it will turn mushy in the salad rather than holding its shape alongside the veggies.
• Why use two dressings: The combination of the sweet honey ginger dressing and the creamy BBQ ranch creates a complex flavor profile that hits every part of your palate—sweet, tangy, and rich.
• How to save time: You can use a rotisserie chicken tossed in the slow cooker sauce ingredients and heated in a pan for 10 minutes if you’re in a rush.

What To Serve With Bbq Chicken Salad Recipe?

This Bbq Chicken Salad Recipe is a fresh, vibrant meal that needs a savory finish! A side of Honey Butter Cornbread is the classic choice for a sweet and salty balance. For a bit of extra indulgence, a serving of Crispy Sweet Potato Fries adds a lovely earthiness that pairs perfectly with the BBQ sauce! A tall glass of Peach Iced Tea or a Chilled Lemonade pairs wonderfully with the spicy, fruity mango notes.

How To Store Bbq Chicken Salad Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store the warm BBQ chicken and the fresh salad components in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days.
• Maintain Crunch: Keep the fried onions and almonds in a dry pantry until the very moment you serve to ensure they don’t lose their snap.
• Reheat: Warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water to keep it moist before adding it back to your fresh greens.

Bbq Chicken Salad Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 420 kcal
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Protein: 34 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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