BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad
A fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-prepare BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad combining smoky grilled chicken skewers with crisp vegetables and vibrant dressings, perfect for a healthy and colorful meal any time of year.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
For the Chicken Skewers
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Wooden skewers, soaked for 30 minutes
Vegetables for Skewers
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 small red onion, cut into chunks
For the Salad Base
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (such as romaine, baby kale, or spring mix)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Extra BBQ sauce for drizzling
- Additional lemon wedges
- Prepare the Chicken Marinade: Whisk together BBQ sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken cubes in this marinade and let them sit for at least 15 minutes to absorb the smoky flavors.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces alternately with bell pepper chunks, cherry tomatoes, and red onion pieces onto the soaked wooden skewers to create a colorful pattern.
- Grill the Skewers: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Cook the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
- Prepare the Salad Base: While the skewers cook, toss the mixed salad greens with olive oil and fresh lemon juice to create a fresh and zesty salad base.
- Assemble and Serve: Place the grilled chicken skewers on top of the salad bed. Optionally, drizzle with extra BBQ sauce or squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for an extra burst of flavor. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- Rotate skewers frequently during grilling to ensure even cooking and nice grill marks.
- Use crisp, fresh salad greens such as romaine or baby kale for best texture.
- Use BBQ sauce sparingly on the salad to avoid overpowering the vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: BBQ chicken salad, chicken skewers, grilled chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, gluten free BBQ