Description
A vibrant and healthy BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad combining smoky grilled chicken marinated in flavorful BBQ sauce with fresh mixed greens and crunchy vegetables, finished with a tangy homemade dressing for a perfect balanced meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Skewers
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Wooden or metal skewers
For the Salad
- 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, spinach)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed)
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Skewers: In a bowl, combine BBQ sauce, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken cubes and stir to coat well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers.
- Cook the Chicken Skewers: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until chicken is cooked through with a nice char. Remove from grill and set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, shredded carrots, corn, and black beans. Arrange avocado slices on top.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified and well combined.
- Serve: Place grilled chicken skewers on top of the salad or serve on the side. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro. Drizzle dressing over salad before serving or serve on the side.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or broil the chicken skewers in the oven.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing for desired sweetness.
- This salad is great for meal prep; keep dressing separate until ready to serve.
