Description
This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is bursting with smoky-sweet grilled chicken, fresh greens, charred corn, creamy avocado, and a dreamy herby ranch dressing. It’s everything you love about summer BBQ in one wholesome, flavor-packed bowl—perfect for family dinners or weekly meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers:
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tbsp avocado oil
1 tsp kosher salt
2 cups BBQ sauce (Primal Kitchen recommended)
8 wooden skewers (pre-soaked)
For the Herby Ranch (Whole30-friendly):
1 cup light-tasting oil (avocado or “light” olive oil)
1 egg (omit if using mayo)
½ cup unsweetened full-fat coconut milk
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp onion powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup chopped fresh dill
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
For the Salad:
4 ears corn (omit for Whole30)
2 tbsp avocado oil
8 cups romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
6 green onions, green tops sliced
2 cups grape tomatoes, quartered
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (omit for Whole30)
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 avocado, diced
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
Pound chicken to even thickness and cube into 2-inch pieces. Toss with avocado oil, salt, and 1 cup BBQ sauce. Marinate at room temp for 20 minutes or in the fridge for 4–8 hours.Make the Herby Ranch:
In a wide-mouth jar, add oil and egg. Use an immersion blender to emulsify into mayo (about 10 seconds). Add coconut milk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, onion powder, and garlic—blend again. Stir in dill, parsley, and black pepper. Refrigerate.Grill the Chicken and Corn:
Preheat grill to 350–400°F. Rub corn with oil and grill for 10–12 minutes, turning every 2 minutes. Grill chicken skewers 3–4 minutes per side, basting with remaining BBQ sauce after flipping.Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, toss lettuce, onions, tomatoes, beans, cilantro, and basil with dressing. Slice corn off the cob and add with avocado. Gently toss. Serve with chicken skewers on top.
Notes
Make it Whole30 by omitting the corn and black beans, and using compliant BBQ sauce and coconut milk.
Store dressing separately to keep salad fresh for meal prep.
Don’t have skewers? Use a grill basket or foil for the chicken chunks.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg