BBQ Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch
- Preparing Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Served Person: 4
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 green onions chopped
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup milk
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (i sliced mine i
- 1/2 cup bbq sauce homemade or store bought
- 1 large head (18 oz) romaine lettuce chopped
- 3 medium roma tomatoes
- 1 - 2 avocados, diced
- 1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen corn (thawed and drained if frozen
- 1 - 1 1/2 cups cheese (i used half cheddar half monterey jack a mexican blend would be fine too)
- corn tortilla stips*
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (could sub light mayo for a healthier o
- 1/3 cup sour cream (could sub plain greek yogurt for a hea
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp buttermilk ranch seasoning mix
- 1/3 cup cilantro (about a handful)
- 2 - 3 pinches cayenne pepper (optional)
- Carbohydrate 10.9966500007642 g
- Cholesterol 2.0000000016907 mg
- Fat 0.903450000549478 g
- Fiber 2.11225006967783 g
- Protein 2.18650000054441 g
- Saturated Fat 0.423922500315316 g
- Serving Size 1 1 - 5 serving (351g)
- Sodium 596.615000006763 mg
- Sugar 8.88439993108637 g
- Trans Fat 0.149802500063908 g
- Calories 55 calories
My Favorite Weeknight BBQ Chicken Salad
As a busy working mom, finding quick and healthy meals is a constant challenge. I'm always looking for recipes that are both delicious and easy to prepare, leaving me more time to spend with my family. This BBQ Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch is a perfect example. It's packed with flavor, it’s nutritious, and it takes less than 30 minutes to throw together, even on my busiest days. The grilling adds a lovely smoky char to the chicken, while the vibrant Cilantro Lime Ranch dressing ties everything together perfectly.
The beauty of this salad lies in its versatility. You can easily adjust it to your preferences and what you have on hand. Feel free to swap out ingredients – add different cheeses, vegetables, or even beans. One day I might add black beans for extra protein, another day I might use different types of lettuce. The key is to make it your own! It’s also a great way to use up leftover grilled chicken. I often double the chicken recipe and use it for lunches and quick dinners throughout the week. This salad is also a fantastic way to get the kids to eat their veggies. Sneaking in some extra nutrients is always a win in my book! The colorful ingredients make it visually appealing, and the delicious dressing ensures that everyone will clean their plates.
The Cilantro Lime Ranch dressing is the real star of this recipe. It's creamy, tangy, and bursting with fresh cilantro flavor. It's easy to make, requiring only a handful of simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Making your own dressing is so much more satisfying and healthier than using store-bought options. The homemade version allows me to control the ingredients and avoid any unwanted additives, ensuring that the salad is as healthy as it is delicious.
This recipe has become a staple in our family. It’s a perfect lunch or light dinner option. I often pack it for lunch or make a larger batch for a family dinner. The leftovers are even better the next day! The flavors meld together beautifully, resulting in an even more delicious salad. I’ve also found that this salad travels well, making it perfect for picnics or potlucks.
Beyond the practicality, there is also a sense of accomplishment that comes with creating something so delicious and satisfying from scratch. Knowing exactly what’s in my food and having the confidence to adapt the recipe to my needs is incredibly empowering. In a world of constant demands, having a go-to recipe like this that is both nutritious and satisfying makes all the difference. It's a reminder that even amidst the chaos, there is time for simple pleasures – and delicious food is definitely one of those!
So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and flavorful salad that the whole family will love, look no further. Give this BBQ Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch a try – you won't be disappointed! It's become a beloved part of our meal rotation, and I’m confident it will become one of yours, too.
Tips and Variations:
- Make it ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables in advance to save time during the week.
- Add protein: For extra protein, add cooked quinoa or black beans.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a little heat.
- Customize your toppings: Add any of your favorite salad toppings, such as sunflower seeds, croutons, or chopped nuts.
- Use different types of chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken work perfectly.
Step-by-step
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Brush grill grates lightly with canola or vegetable oil then place chicken on grill and cook rotating once halfway through cooking and brushing both sides with BBQ sauce during last minute or two of grilling (mine only took about 4 minutes per side, but grill time it will vary based on thickness of chicken and temp of grill).
- Transfer chicken to a plate, cover with foil and let rest 5 - 10 minutes then slice into small strips.
- Layer all remaining ingredients into large salad bowls, beginning with salad (then from there the order doesn't matter).
- Serve topped with Cilantro Lime Ranch.
- For the dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender and process until cilantro is finely chopped.
- I made homemade corn tortilla strips by slicing 6 6-inch corn tortillas into strips (and each strip into halves), then I fried in about 1-inch of hot canola oil in a skillet (vegetable oil works too), rotating once halfway through with metal tongs, until they just began to turn golden. Then transferred to a plate lined with paper towels and immediately sprinkled with salt. Store bought is fine too if you don't want to make them.
