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Grilling

Grilled Chicken Salad

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Looking for a simple, healthy option for dinner tonight? This Grilled Chicken Salad recipe is perfect—juicy grilled chicken breast on a bed of fresh lettuce. You can dress it up any way you like to suit everybody’s tastes, what could be better!

This recipe is head and shoulders above your average everyday grilled chicken salad. With spices, avocado, BBQ sauce, ranch salad dressing, and a myriad of other ingredients, this is a salad that is more than just a salad!

Grilled chicken salad in a large wooden bowl with fried onions, bacon bits, and grated cheese in small bowls around it.

HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge for you.

Wooden Salad Bowl 

Char-Broil 4-Burner Gas Grill

Cuisinart 20 Piece Deluxe Grill Set

What ingredients Go into a grilled chicken salad?

Individual ingredients for grilled chicken salad all laid out on a marble surface.

Although you can make a grilled chicken salad with just a few ingredients, why would you? When with just a few more items, you can make it taste absolutely fantastic!

INgredients

  • Chicken breast
  • Ancho chili powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • BBQ sauce
  • Ranch dressing
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Avocado
  • Red onion
  • Pepperoncini
  • Black beans
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Bacon bits
  • Jalapeno
  • Fried onions

How do you make grilled chicken salad?

placing all the bbq rub ingredients in a clear glass bowl
Raw chicken breasts on a white plate
bbq rub covered raw chicken breasts on a white plate
bbq rub chicken breasts on a bbq grill

Prepare your grill or smoker by preheating it to 450 degrees F (if you have a Traeger, use the “high” setting). If you are using your grill you should use a smoker box or prepare an aluminum foil smoker package. I find that mesquite wood or pellets work best for this recipe.

Start by combining all your BBQ rub ingredients in a small bowl. Mix together ancho chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Season all sides of the chicken breasts with the rub. Once your grill or smoker is preheated, place the chicken breast on the grill grates and close the lid.

Head of romaine lettuce on a wooden cutting board
chopped head of romaine lettuce on a wooden cutting board
chopped romaine lettuce in a wooden salad bowl
Chopped romaine lettuce and sliced cherry tomatoes ina wooden salad bowl

While the chicken breasts are cooking you can prepare the remaining ingredients. Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into roughly 1-inch pieces and place in a large salad bowl. Wash, cut and add the cherry tomatoes to the bowl also.

grilling chicken breast on a grill and brushing it with bbq sauce
Wooden salad bowl with lettucem corn, onions, avocados, black beans and grated cheese
wooden salad bowl with lettuce, pepperoncini's, and bacon bits on top
salad in a wooden bowl with fried onions pepperoncini's and other veggies with grated cheese.

When the chicken reaches about 150 degrees F, it’s time to brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and place the peeled cob of corn on the grill to char. You can test the internal temperature using a Thermoworks product, such as a quick check Thermapen; they work great!

4 different coloured  Thermoworks thermapens

This post contains affiliate links. As a Thermoworks Affiliate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you.

While the chicken is cooking thinly slice the onion, dice the avocado, and slice the jalapeno, removing the seeds if you like. Or if you prefer it a little spicier, you can leave them. Drain and rinse the black beans and add to the salad.

Remove the chicken and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes. Remove the corn cob from the grill. Using a knife, cut the corn off the cob and add it to the salad bowl. Gently toss the salad, then add the pepperoncini, bacon bits, and jalapenos on top.

Finishing touches

wooden salad bowl filled with grilled chicken salad with ingredients in small bowls around the large salad bowl.

Slice the BBQ grilled chicken breasts on a 45-degree angle and place them on top of the salad. Drizzle with BBQ sauce over the salad, then sprinkle the fried onions over top. Yummo!

Is grilled chicken salad good for you?

Grilled Chicken Salad in a large wooden salad bowl topped with fried onions, grated cheese, jalapenos and pepperoncini.

Is grilled chicken salad good for you? Well, the short answer is that depends! The salad itself can actually be really, really healthy, but it can also be not so healthy…depending upon what you put into and on your salad.

I remember a few years ago, I was really watching what I was eating and picked up a prepared salad from the cafeteria for lunch. You know, I thought to myself, here is a healthy lunch, and it was until I picked up the little packet of salad dressing to put on it. 2 Tbsps of salad dressing, over 200 calories! Needless to say, I put the salad dressing back and just got the basic salad.

Large wooden salad bowl filled with grilled chicken salad on a marble countertop.

I guess the moral of that story is you really have to read the labels to make sure you are not being fooled. Anyone can be easily fooled into thinking something is healthy when it isn’t. You gotta read those labels.

Fast food and fast-casual restaurants like Wendy’s, Applebee’s, Zaxby’s, and other roadhouse-style restaurants may have a chicken salad item on their menu. Be it a wrap, a sandwich, a burger, a taco, or even a chicken caesar salad. Beware, just because it has the word salad in it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a healthy choice for lunch or dinner.

Serving it up!

Individual wooden salad bowl filled with grilled chicken salad.

Just because it’s called grilled chicken “salad” doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to serve it in a bowl. This recipe, however, is really a full meal all in one dish.

The great thing about a recipe like this is that you can totally make it your own. If you prefer spinach over romaine lettuce, you can do that! You want to add some sliced apple, go right ahead. This recipe can also become gluten-free simply by omitting the fried onions. Using fresh corn brightens the flavors, but frozen corn works well and is a great substitute.

Bowl of grilled chicken salad with a fork and bread in the background.

Swap the BBQ sauce for olive oil and lemon juice to add some zing to the salad. Or how about trying some Greek yogurt instead of your favorite ranch dressing. My daughter loves ranch dressing. To quote an old TV commercial, “she puts that s*** on everything.” LOL.

A salad like this really can rival some of the best salads that are out there, like a Cobb salad, for example. The variety of tastes and the options for making changes to the ingredients in this recipe are simply amazing. The sky is the limit regarding what you can add and or change.

I know some kids, and even some people who aren’t kids, can be a little picky, especially when it comes to something new or different. Using familiar ingredients and sliding in some healthy items is a great way to get your family to eat a little healthier!

2 bowls of grilled chicken salad with fried onions around on the table and forks in each of the bowls.

So the next time you are thinking about serving a plain old garden salad or even a Greek salad, think again. Try serving something with a flavor that your family is totally familiar with, but something that might be totally new too!

Grilled chicken salad in a large wooden salad bowl on a marble surface.

Pin it HERE!!

Grilled chicken salad, with cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, cheese, peppers and fried onions, everything you need!!

Pin it HERE!!

Grilled chicken salad, with cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, cheese, peppers and fried onions, everything you need!!
Grilled Chicken Salad in a large wooden bowl

Grilled Chicken Salad

Ken Noland
This isn't your mother's grilled chicken salad recipe! I know you and your family are going to love it! Piled high with wonderful ingredients, every bite is a new flavor!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Grilling
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 430 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts about 2 large chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp ancho chili powder can be substituted for regular chili powder
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ cup bbq sauce
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 3 romaine lettuce hearts
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 corn cob
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 red onion
  • 5-6 Pepperoncini
  • 1 can of Black beans
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup bacon bits premade will work great! Or, cook and chop 6-7 slices of bacon
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 1 cup fried onion straws

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the smoker to 450* for 15 minutes with the lid closed (if using a Traeger, this is the “high” setting). We recommend mesquite pellets or wood chips for this recipe.
  • Prepare the bbq rub. Add chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to a ramekin and stir to combine.
  • Season both sides of the chicken breast generously with bbq rub. For this part, I prefer rubbing the seasoning directly onto the chicken breast with my hands, so it holds well.
  • Add chicken breasts to the grill directly on the grill grates. Smoke for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check to be sure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 150* before starting the next step.
  • Brush both sides of the chicken breast with your favorite bbq sauce. The flavor of a Kansas City bbq sauce for this recipe works well, as the smokey flavor pairs perfectly with the heat from the peppers.
  • Then, place corn directly on the grill grates. These will both smoke for 7 minutes. Turn the corn halfway through.
  • Wash and prepare produce. Cut romaine hearts into 1” pieces. Toss and add to a large salad bowl. Cut cherry tomatoes in half, thinly slice the red onion, and dice the avocado. Seed and slice the jalapenos. (skip seeding if you prefer more of a kick to the salad) Drain the black beans from the can and rinse under cold water. Add to the salad and toss to combine.
  • Remove corn from the grill. Use a knife to cut the corn off of the cob. *For this step, use a corn holder to hold the corn in place upright as you cut with the knife.* Add to the salad and toss.
  • Remove chicken from the grill. Place on a wooden cutting board and thinly slice.
  • Top the salad with pepperoncini, bacon bits, sliced jalapenos, and bbq chicken.
  • Drizzle bbq sauce and ranch over the salad and sprinkle onion straws on top. Enjoy!

Equipment

Cuisinart Deluxe Grill Set, 20-Piece, CGS-5020, Stainless Steel
Cuisinart Deluxe Grill Set, 20-Piece, CGS-5020, Stainless Steel
Char-Broil 463354021 Performance 4-Burner Cabinet Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel
Char-Broil 463354021 Performance 4-Burner Cabinet Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel
AIDEA Salad Bowls, Wooden Salad Bowls with Salad Spoon and Fork 12.5"
AIDEA Salad Bowls, Wooden Salad Bowls with Salad Spoon and Fork 12.5″

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 28gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 682mgFiber: 8gSugar: 10g
Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


4 Comments

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    May 16, 2021 at 7:25 am

    […] grilled chicken salad would make a great […]

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  2. Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs BBQing with the Nolands - says:
    June 12, 2021 at 7:01 am

    […] my opinion, the thighs are the best part of the chicken. All those non-believers are going to be converted into believers after they taste this […]

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  3. Grilled Corn On The Cob - BBQing with the Nolands says:
    July 1, 2021 at 7:00 am

    […] better than sweet crunchy corn on the cob, with just a hint of smoky char from the heat of the grill? I think […]

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    September 14, 2021 at 9:13 am

    […] Love chicken? Then you need to definitely check out these other great chicken recipes, Smoked Chicken Thighs, or for something a little lighter, Grilled Chicken Salad. […]

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Hi, I’m Ken thanks for stopping by BBQing with the Nolands! I was born and raised in Western Canada. I grew up on the great wide open farmlands that produce some of the worlds’ best livestock and grains.
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