BBQ Chicken Salad with Cilantro Ranch Dressing

The classic combo of BBQ and Ranch join forces in this easy Southwest-style BBQ Chicken Salad dressed up with corn, tomatoes, black beans and a creamy cilantro dressing.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend, here it is already Sunday night. This is the last week of school too, yikes summer is here!

It’s funny, I kind of forgot about the BBQ ranch chicken salad.I remember making it all the time a few years ago and even won a prize with a this combo as a pizza back in 04, then time passed and I was on to making other things.

However, Friday night I became a huge fan all over again!Our night started at the movies where we saw the comic book move, Ironman, it was pretty entertaining.The guys really liked it.It kept my interest.

After the movie we went to Paradise bakery for dinner. After contemplating on what to order, I decided last minute to get the BBQ Ranch chicken salad, with a sammy, of course. I am so glad I ordered that salad! It was so good that I had to go make my own version the next day. I had all of the ingredients on hand, so it came together quickly. I forgot how much I love the flavor combo of ranch and BBQ sauce, Yum! So, re-live the past, you certainly won’t be disappointed in this salad.

While I was trying to take pics of my salad, my little guy was patiently waiting to dig in as soon as I was done. I don’t know of many 3 year olds who like salad, but mine does. I had to get these pics of him getting as close as he could to my bowl! Little goof!

Making his move…

Trying to go in for the kill, but licks the fork!

BBQ Chicken Salad with Cilantro Ranch Dressing

3 Cups thinly sliced Green Leaf Lettuce
¼ Cup corn
¼ Cup black beans
8 grape tomatoes, halved
1 cooked grilled chicken breast
¼ Cup favorite BBQ Sauce
¼ Cup shredded mozzarella cheese

 

¼ Cup prepared ranch dressing
1 heaping Tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro leaves

 

1. Place lettuce into a salad bowl. Layer with corn, black beans and tomatoes. Dice cooked chicken breast and mix with BBQ sauce. Top over salad and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

 

2. Place ranch dressing and cilantro leaves into a small bowl to combine. Drizzle over salad and serve.

**This recipe is for 1 large serving, double accordingly**

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

An easy Southwest-style BBQ Chicken Salad dressed up with corn, tomatoes, black beans and a creamy cilantro ranch dressing.
Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 871kcal
Author: Jenny
Print

Ingredients

  • 3 cups green leaf lettuce thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup corn
  • 1/4 cup black beans
  • 8 grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 grilled chicken breast cooked
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped

Instructions

  • Place lettuce into a salad bowl. Layer with corn, black beans and tomatoes. Dice cooked chicken breast and mix with BBQ sauce. Top over salad and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
  • Place ranch dressing and cilantro leaves into a small bowl to combine. Drizzle over salad and serve.

Notes

*This recipe is for 1 large serving, double accordingly

Nutrition

Calories: 871kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 69g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 180mg | Sodium: 1617mg | Potassium: 1439mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 9616IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 353mg | Iron: 5mg
Keywords: bbq chicken, easy salad recipe, southwest chicken salad

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33 Responses
  1. Davis

    Just earlier this week I was thinking that I need to prepare more hot-weather-friendly meals. And then I saw this salad on PInterest. Thanks so much! I’ve subscribed to your blog…it looks a PERFECT resource for my favorite picky eater.

  2. ivoryhut

    I sooo want this salad for dinner tonight. Can you send your son along with it too? What a cute little goof!

  3. Chef Chuck

    Hello Jenny, Looks good, Your son has great potential do to his mom!
    My sons are older and now showing me great dishes. It Works!!
    Chuck

  4. JenHunsaker

    This salad is AWESOME with leftover chicken from your Adobo Peach BBQ chicken recipe and with the sweet sauteed corn recipe (as a substitute for the corn). Yummy!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.

  5. Pattie

    Real good salad! Liked mixing the cilantro with the ranch. Ranch by itself is not very good in my book. Thanks again.

  6. Laura

    This salad was sooo good! I’m so glad I made extra chicken so I could have it for lunch the next 2 days! Thanks for all the great recipes.

  7. Kameron

    Loved it! I actually combined the ranch and BBQ and used it as the dressing, then topped it with toasted corn tortilla strips – yum yum!!

  8. Gina Lee

    My husband LOVES Taco Salad but to be Frank, I am getting very bored with it… Now I’m excited to make it again and add this twist to it. I love BBQ and Ranch so I already know this is gonna be amazing. Thanks for sharing, I love your blog!

  9. Barbara Bakes

    I love this salad at Paradise Bakery. I’m going to put this on my list to make next week. Thanks!

  10. Jaime

    i love BBQ chicken salads! not sure if i’d had it w/the ranch as well but it sure looks good.

    your son is so cute!

  11. Stacia

    HI Jenny-
    While we were in the process of moving this week I threw this salad together in a pinch (let’s just say we were sick of pizza and my mother-in-law has fed us way too many times lately.) My husband was inquiring as to how much this salad cost me to make him because he would definetely pay at least 10 bucks for it-hmmm…. maybe I should start charging him for each meal…..:)
    Anyway, thanks again for another great recipe to add to my book!

  12. careymc

    Jenny, this looks so great – – can’t wait to try it! We miss you on MC! Are you coming back? 🙁

  13. Kevin and Katrina

    Mimi’s Cafe used to have a BBQ chicken and ranch salad that I loved and they took it off their menu. I’ve made my own version many times, but like you forgot about it and haven’t made it for a while. Sounds de-lish! Yours is also beautiful!

  14. Bonnie

    Jenny, Sisters’ Cafe featured your Thai Peanut Chicken Noodles! I thought it was a nice gesture and it is such a YUMMY recipe. I made if for my family and they LOVED it. Thanks for all the time you spend sharing with us!!

  15. www.adorn-jewelry.blogspot.com

    that looks so yummy!
    i have to ask you how many times you go grocery shopping each week?!

    also, any ideas for what i could do with some leftover tri-tip? other than fajitas?
    thanks!
    emily

  16. Project Couture Vintage

    I sure love that little guy…I love his chubby little fingers in that first pictures! Salad looks delicious…what’s new!

  17. Nash

    Jenny-
    Where would I find some really cute sprinkles? I actually want more of a ball, maybe metallic, or just large crystals (like large sugar pieces).
    Also, Do you have a recipe for fondant, and one for cupcakes in ice cream cones?
    I couldn’t find your email address, sorry for all the ?’s.
    (it’s the week of all 3 of my kids bdays)

  18. Jenny

    Hi Catherine,
    My little guy has great taste, he definitely takes after his mother!

    Thanks Kevin!

    Thanks for the award Prudy!

    Great to hear from you Angela! Thanks for the nice comment. I’ll remind my husband how lucky he is!

    Hi Emiline,
    Do try Paradise Bakery next time you come across one. Try the Fire Roasted Tomato soup too! And their cookies, one of each!

  19. Emiline

    Ha ha- that is so funny! Good for him for eating his veggies!

    I’ve got to visit this Paradise Bakery sometime. The salad looks great.

  20. Angela

    I haven’t commented in a while, but this looks so yummy. I am so grateful for all of your delicious recipes. Your hubby is a lucky man to have you cooking for him!! 🙂

  21. Catherine Wilkinson

    Oh boy! That about sums it up with kids, huh??? That’s hilarious! They ALWAYS know what’s good, don’t they!!! Great recipe!

  22. Jenny

    Hi Zen,
    Yah, this little guy loves to help out in the kitchen and enjoys just about anything I make. He’d make a great chef someday!

    Hi Grace,
    Do double it, it’s too good not to!

    Hi Prudy,
    Yah, my little guy is always standing close by the photo shoots, he knows he gets to dig in as soon as I’m done!

    Hi Patsy,
    Yes, simple is so nice isn’t it?!

  23. Patsyk

    I love how simple this is to make! I’m going to have to try this soon, I am sure we’ll love it.

  24. Prudy

    I love the pictures of your little boy. That’s testimonial enough. He probably likes salads because his mother is so good at making them. His little chubby hands are adorable!

  25. Grace

    yeah, i’d double this. even though i live alone, i’d double it and i’d eat it and i’d love it. fabulous salad!

  26. Zen Chef

    Your little bundle of joy shows great taste! Haha. It’s funny to see a 3 years going for something like that. Watch out, he might become a chef! 🙂 Great combination, I bet it’s delicious!

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