Easy BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad (with a corn salsa!)
This Easy BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad (with a Corn Salsa!) is the perfect weeknight dinner or meal prep lunch. What I love about this 30 Minute Dinner is that it feels like a restaurant-style salad but comes together in minutes.
I’ve been making this for years when I want something fresh but still filling and it makes great leftovers. It’s easy to switch up with different toppings, and the flavor combo of BBQ ranch with corn salsa just works every time.
If you like this dish, you should try my Spicy Salmon Poke Bowls, Easy Chickpea Quinoa Salad, or Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner.
Why You Will Love This Dinner
Easy cooking
Use rotisserie chicken and pre-made salsa for a super quick assembly.
Healthy ingredients
Packed with protein, fiber, and fresh ingredients.
Versatile meal
Perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep bowls.
What you need to make a BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad
BBQ sauce (2 types) – The secret to the best flavor. Use one vinegar-based BBQ sauce to marinate the chicken and one smoky BBQ sauce to mix with the ranch.
Romaine lettuce – Crisp and fresh, the perfect base for this salad.
Ranch dressing – Adds creaminess and balances the smoky BBQ flavor. Whole-ingredient ranches work great here.
Cooked chicken – Rotisserie chicken is the easiest option, but any cooked chicken works.
Black bean and corn salsa – Adds sweetness, texture, and a little tang. Store-bought or homemade both work.
Fresh cilantro – Optional, but adds a fresh, herby finish.
Red onion (optional) – Adds a little bite and extra flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
Make it dairy-free:
Use a dairy-free ranch.
Use grilled chicken:
Great option if you’re cooking fresh.
Add avocado:
Adds creaminess and healthy fats.
Make it spicy:
Add jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Turn it into a wrap:
Wrap everything in a tortilla for an easy lunch.
How to make:
How to make:
- Prep lettuce: Wash and chop romaine lettuce and add about 1½ cups to a bowl.
- Prepare chicken: Shred rotisserie chicken or slice cooked chicken breast. Toss about ½ cup chicken per serving with ¼ cup vinegar-based BBQ sauce to marinate.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, mix together 1½ tablespoons smoky BBQ sauce with 1 tablespoon ranch.
- Assemble salad: Top lettuce with marinated chicken, corn salsa, dressing, fresh cilantro, and red onion if using.
- Serve immediately or store for meal prep.
Tips and Notes
- Using two types of BBQ sauce gives the best depth of flavor.
- Rotisserie chicken makes this a true 10-minute meal.
- Add dressing just before serving if you want the lettuce extra crisp.
- This is perfect for building multiple salads at once.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! It’s perfect for meal prep and holds up well for several days. Keep the dressing on the side and add it to the lettuce once you are ready to eat.
What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
Use one vinegar-based for marinating and one smoky/sweet for the dressing.
I hope you are Over the Spoon for this recipe!
It is my goal to inspire you to create healthy and easy meals.
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Easy BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad (with corn salsa!)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups romaine lettuce chopped
- ½ cup cooked chicken shredded or sliced
- ¼ cup vinegar-based BBQ sauce for marinating
- 1½ tablespoons smoky BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon ranch dressing
- 3 tablespoons black bean and corn salsa
- Fresh cilantro optional
- Red onion sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and chop romaine lettuce and add about 1½ cups to a bowl.
- Shred rotisserie chicken or slice cooked chicken breast. Toss about ½ cup chicken per serving with ¼ cup vinegar-based BBQ sauce to marinate.
- In a small bowl, mix together 1½ tablespoons smoky BBQ sauce with 1 tablespoon ranch.
- Top lettuce with marinated chicken, corn salsa, dressing, and fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately or store for meal prep.
