BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

$- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 4 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, arugula) - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen) - 1 red bell pepper, diced - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese - ½ cup BBQ sauce - ½ cup ranch dressing - ¼ cup green onions, sliced - Salt and pepper to taste - Optional: Tortilla strips for garnish To make a BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad, gather these fresh ingredients. Start with cooked chicken. You can use rotisserie chicken or cook it at home. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This makes it easy to mix with other flavors. Next, choose your salad greens. I love a mix of romaine, spinach, and arugula. This blend gives a nice crunch and flavor. Then, add halved cherry tomatoes for sweetness. They add color too! Corn kernels are next. You can use fresh, canned, or frozen. They bring a nice pop to the salad. Diced red bell pepper adds a sweet crunch. It gives a lovely color contrast too. Don’t forget cheese! Shredded cheddar cheese adds creaminess to the dish. For the dressings, you need BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. They balance each other well. Finally, add sliced green onions for a bit of sharpness. Remember to season with salt and pepper. You can also add tortilla strips for crunch on top. These ingredients come together for a tasty and colorful salad. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, take 2 cups of shredded chicken breast. In a large mixing bowl, add ½ cup of BBQ sauce. Mix the chicken and sauce well. Make sure every piece of chicken gets coated evenly. This step adds flavor to your salad. Now, grab another large bowl. Start with 4 cups of mixed salad greens as your base. I like to use romaine, spinach, and arugula for a crunchy mix. Next, scatter 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup of corn, and 1 diced red bell pepper over the greens. Then, gently add the BBQ chicken on top of the salad mix. This layering makes the salad colorful and tasty. Drizzle ½ cup of ranch dressing over the salad. Toss everything gently to mix, but be careful not to crush the greens. Now, sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the remaining green onions on top. For an extra crunch, add tortilla strips just before serving. This adds flavor and texture, making your BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad a feast for your eyes and your taste buds! When it comes to BBQ sauces, choose your favorite! A sweet sauce gives a nice flavor. A smoky one adds depth. Brands like Sweet Baby Ray's and Stubbs are popular choices. For ranch dressing, try a homemade version for the best taste. You can mix buttermilk, mayo, and ranch spices. This adds a fresh twist to your salad. Use large bowls or plates for serving. This way, everyone can see the colorful layers. Arrange the BBQ chicken in the center. Scatter cherry tomatoes and corn around for a beautiful look. Garnish with tortilla strips for a fun crunch. This adds a nice touch and makes the salad more inviting. Get creative with add-ins! You can toss in avocado slices for creaminess. Black beans add protein and fiber. For a spicy kick, consider sliced jalapeños. If you have dietary needs, feel free to swap the chicken. Use turkey or even tofu for a vegetarian option. This salad is flexible, so make it your own! Pro Tips Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quicker preparation, consider using store-bought rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds rich flavor to your salad. Customize Your Greens: Feel free to mix different types of greens or add other favorites like kale or mixed baby greens for added texture and nutrients. Make It Spicy: If you enjoy a kick, add some sliced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture before combining. Chill Before Serving: Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. {{image_2}} You can switch the chicken for turkey or tofu. Both options work well in this salad. Turkey will give a similar taste while being leaner. Tofu offers a great vegetarian choice. Choose firm tofu for a better texture. Press it to remove extra water, then cube and toss it in BBQ sauce. Try different dressings and sauces to change the taste. A honey mustard dressing can add sweetness. You can also use a spicy ranch for a kick. Seasonal veggies can enhance the flavor too. In summer, add fresh cucumbers or bell peppers. In fall, try roasted squash or beets for warmth and color. Add crunchy toppings for fun textures. Tortilla strips give a nice crunch. You can also use nuts like almonds or sunflower seeds. Fruits can add sweetness and moisture. Diced apples or sliced strawberries work great. They balance the savory flavors and make your salad pop! To store your BBQ ranch chicken salad, use a clean, airtight container. This keeps the salad fresh and safe. Place the salad in the fridge right away. Avoid leaving it out for too long. - If you have leftover dressing, store it separately. This helps keep the greens crisp. - Layer the ingredients in the container, with the chicken and veggies on top. You won’t need to reheat this salad, but you can if you want warm chicken. To keep the flavor and texture, heat the chicken gently. - Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Heat it in short bursts. This way, it warms through without drying out. - Before serving, toss the fresh salad ingredients. This keeps them crunchy and bright. You can enjoy your BBQ ranch chicken salad for up to three days in the fridge. - Look for signs of spoilage like wilting greens or an off odor. - If the salad looks soggy or smells bad, it’s time to toss it. Always trust your senses for freshness! Yes, you can use store-bought ingredients for this salad. Pre-cooked chicken is a great time-saver. Look for rotisserie chicken at your local store. It’s tasty and ready to go. Many brands offer BBQ sauce and ranch dressing, too. Choose your favorite flavors for a quick meal. Making this salad ahead is easy. Prepare the chicken and mix it with BBQ sauce. Store it in the fridge. Wash and chop the veggies, then keep them separate. When you are ready to eat, just toss everything together. This keeps the greens fresh and crunchy. You can also make the salad without dressing and add it just before serving. This salad can be a healthy choice! It has lean chicken, fresh veggies, and healthy fats from the dressing. You get protein from the chicken and vitamins from the greens. Each serving has about 300 calories, depending on the toppings. You can make it healthier by using low-fat dressing or adding more vegetables. Enjoy this meal without guilt! This blog post offered a simple recipe for BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad. We covered ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. You now know how to enhance flavors and customize the salad to your taste. Serving suggestions make it easy to impress at any meal. Lastly, we discussed storage and reheating tips to enjoy leftovers safely. I hope you feel inspired to try this recipe and make it your own. Enjoy creating delicious meals!$

A delicious and colorful salad featuring shredded chicken, mixed greens, and a tangy BBQ ranch dressing.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
4 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, arugula)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
1 unit red bell pepper, diced
0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
0.5 cup BBQ sauce
0.5 cup ranch dressing
0.25 cup green onions, sliced
to taste salt and pepper
to taste tortilla strips for garnish (optional)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated.
In another large bowl, add the mixed salad greens as the base.
Scatter the cherry tomatoes, corn, red bell pepper, and half of the green onions over the greens.
Add the BBQ chicken on top of the salad mix.
Drizzle ranch dressing over the salad, and toss gently to combine all ingredients without crushing the salad greens.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and remaining green onions over the top.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
For an added crunch, garnish with tortilla strips just before serving.

Notes

Serve in large bowls or plates, arranging the chicken prominently in the center.

Keyword BBQ, chicken, healthy, ranch, salad