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BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad with Smoky Ranch Crunch

A fresh dinner salad with BBQ-coated chicken breast, greens, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, onion, cilantro, and creamy BBQ ranch dressing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 6 to 8 cups fresh greens
  • 12 ounces cooked chicken breast cubed or shredded
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion diced, or green onion
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro minced, optional
For the BBQ Ranch Dressing
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Large serving bowl
  • Small bowl or jar
  • Whisk or lid for shaking
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Salad tongs

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, mix the cooked chicken with the BBQ sauce until the chicken is evenly coated.
  2. Add the fresh greens to a large serving bowl or divide them between individual plates.
  3. Arrange the BBQ chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and cilantro over the greens.
  4. To make the dressing, add the mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, dill, garlic powder, and onion powder to a bowl or jar.
  5. Whisk or shake the dressing until smooth and combined.
  6. Taste the dressing and adjust with more BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, or seasoning if needed.
  7. Drizzle the BBQ ranch dressing over the salad.
  8. Toss gently until everything is lightly coated, then serve.

Notes

Keep the dressing separate if making the salad ahead.
Add avocado close to serving.
Use dry greens for the best texture.
Start with less dressing and add more as needed.