BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad – Delicious & Easy Recipe

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is more than just a meal; it’s a vibrant celebration of summer flavors, right on your plate! Imagin extracte succulent pieces of chicken, kissed by smoky barbecue goodness and grilled to perfection on skewers, then artfully arranged over a bed of crisp, fresh greens. It’s the kind of dish that instantly brings a smile to my face, and I know you’ll love it too. The appeal lies in its delightful duality: the comforting, familiar taste of classic BBQ chicken combined with the refreshing zest of a garden-fresh salad. What truly makes this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad special is the textural contrast – tender chicken against crunchy vegetables, all brought together by a tangy dressing that sings with every bite. It’s perfect for a light lunch, a delightful dinner, or even a crowd-pleasing addition to your next outdoor gathering.

Get ready to elevate your salad game!

This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is about to become your new favorite.

this recipe

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is a fantastic way to enjoy vibrant flavors and satisfying textures all in one bowl. The smoky sweetness of the grilled chicken skewers, paired with a creamy, herb-infused dressing and fresh salad greens, makes for a perfect weeknight meal or a delightful addition to your next barbecue spread. We’re talking about tender, juicy chicken marinated in our favorite BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection, then served atop a bed of crisp lettuce with a homemade dressing that’s bright, zesty, and packed with fresh herbs. It’s a dish that’s both impressive and surprisingly easy to put together. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients:

Preparing the BBQ Chicken Skewers

First things first, let’s get our chicken ready for grilling. We’ll start by trimming any excess fat from the boneless, skinless chicken breasts and then cutting them into bite-sized cubes, about 1 to 1.5 inches in size. This ensures they cook evenly and are easy to thread onto the skewers. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 3 tablespoons of avocado oil and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. This initial oiling helps to create a surface that the BBQ sauce will adhere to beautifully and provides a little seasoning from the get-go.

Next, we’ll divide our BBQ sauce. Take 1.5 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce and add it to the bowl with the seasoned chicken. Toss everything together thoroughly, making sure each piece of chicken is well-coated. Reserve the remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce for later, as we’ll use it for basting and potentially as an extra drizzle. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor penetration. The longer it marinates, the more the BBQ sauce will permeate the chicken, resulting in a more intense smoky and sweet taste.

Once the chicken has marinated, it’s time to skewer it. Gently thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the pre-soaked wooden skewers. Don’t pack them too tightly, as this can prevent even cooking. Leave a small gap between each piece of chicken. Pre-soaking the wooden skewers is crucial to prevent them from burning on the grill. Aim to have about 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer, depending on the size of your chicken cubes and the length of your skewers.

Grilling the Chicken

Now for the exciting part – grilling! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. This is important for achieving those lovely char marks and ensuring the chicken is cooked through without burning. Once the grill is hot, carefully place the chicken skewers onto the grates.

Grill the chicken skewers for about 8-12 minutes, turning them every few minutes to ensure even cooking and charring on all sides. During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the chicken skewers with the reserved 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce. This basting step will caramelize the sauce beautifully, adding an extra layer of sweetness and a glossy finish. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remember to use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.

Crafting the Creamy Herb Dressing

While the chicken is resting, let’s whip up our luscious dressing. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of avocado oil, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup of unsweetened full fat coconut milk, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of red grape juice vinegar. Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and the 2 minced garlic cloves.

Now, for the magic touch: the fresh herbs! Stir in the 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh dill fronds and 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh parsley. These herbs bring a burst of freshness that beautifully complements the richness of the dressing and the sweetness of the BBQ chicken.

Whisk all the ingredients together vigorously until the dressing is well combined and emulsified. You can also use an immersion blender or a food processor for a smoother, more consistent texture. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – you might want a little more lemon juice for tartness or a pinch more salt. This dressing is incredibly versatile and can be used on other salads as well.

Assembling the Salad

To assemble your delicious BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad, start with a generous bed of your favorite salad greens – romaine lettuce, mixed greens, or spinach would all be wonderful choices. Arrange the rested BBQ chicken skewers on top of the greens. You can serve them whole or carefully remove the chicken from the skewers and arrange the pieces over the salad.

Drizzle a generous amount of the creamy herb dressing over the entire salad. You can also serve extra dressing on the side for those who like to drench their greens! For an extra touch of flavor and texture, consider adding some grilled corn, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, or even some crunchy croutons. This salad is a complete meal on its own, but feel free to customize it with your favorite additions. Enjoy the delightful combination of smoky, sweet, creamy, and herbaceous flavors!

Conclusion:

This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad recipe is an absolute winner for so many reasons! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the smoky, sweet flavors of grilled BBQ chicken without all the fuss of traditional BBQ. The skewers make grilling a breeze, and when paired with a vibrant, fresh salad, you’ve got a meal that’s both satisfying and incredibly healthy. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something delicious and quick, or for a casual weekend gathering with friends. I love how versatile it is – you can truly customize the salad base and the BBQ chicken marinade to your heart’s content. Give this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad a try; I’m confident you’ll love it as much as I do!

For serving, I highly recommend a light, creamy dressing to complement the smoky chicken, or a zesty vinaigrette for a brighter contrast. Think about serving it over a bed of mixed greens with some corn, black beans, and avocado for a hearty and complete meal. You can also serve these skewers alongside other grilled favorites for a true BBQ spread.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations! Try different BBQ sauce flavors, add pineapple chunks to the skewers for a sweet and tangy twist, or incorporate a spicy rub for the chicken. For a vegetarian option, consider grilling halloumi or marinated tofu skewers instead.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the BBQ chicken skewers ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken and thread it onto skewers up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator. Grill them just before serving for the best flavor and texture.

What are some good salad base ideas besides lettuce?

That’s a great question! For a heartier salad, consider using a base of quinoa, farro, or even a mix of roasted sweet potatoes and broccoli. Pasta salad or potato salad also make excellent accompaniments for this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad.

My grill isn’t working, can I still make this recipe?

Definitely! You can easily adapt this recipe for the oven or stovetop. For the oven, bake the skewered chicken on a baking sheet at around 400°F (200°C) until cooked through. On the stovetop, you can pan-sear the chicken pieces in a hot skillet after marinating, then toss them with your favorite BBQ sauce.

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

Juicy BBQ chicken skewers served over a vibrant, homemade dill and parsley salad.

Prep Time
20 Minutes

Cook Time
12 Minutes

Total Time
32 Minutes

Servings
4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups BBQ sauce
• 8 (6-inch) wooden skewers, pre-soaked
• 1 cup avocado oil
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsweetened full fat coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red grape juice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill fronds
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Toss with 3 tablespoons avocado oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 cup of the BBQ sauce. Thread chicken onto pre-soaked skewers.
2. Step 2
   Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and has a nice char.
3. Step 3
   While skewers are grilling, prepare the dressing. In a blender, combine 1 cup avocado oil, large egg, coconut milk, lemon juice, red grape juice vinegar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, onion powder, and minced garlic. Blend until smooth and emulsified.
4. Step 4
   In a large bowl, combine the chopped dill and parsley.
5. Step 5
   Once chicken is cooked, remove skewers from grill. Brush with the remaining BBQ sauce. Chop the chicken off the skewers and add to the bowl with dill and parsley.
6. Step 6
   Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and herb mixture. Toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.