BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad- Easy Summer Meal

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of summer flavors packed into one incredibly satisfying dish. Imagin extracte perfectly grilled, smoky chicken skewers, glistening with your favorite barbecue sauce, then artfully arranged over a vibrant bed of crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, and sweet corn. This is the kind of dish that instantly transports you to a backyard gathering, filled with laughter and sunshine. People adore this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad because it offers the best of both worlds: the irresistible char and sweet heat of BBQ chicken, elevated by the freshness and crunch of a hearty salad. It’s a meal that’s both substantial and light, offering a delightful textural contrast and a symphony of sweet, savory, and tangy notes with every bite. What truly makes this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad special is its versatility and ease of preparation, making it a go-to for weeknight dinners or impressive entertaining.

this Recipe

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is a flavor explosion waiting to happen! Imagin extracte succulent, grilled chicken skewers coated in your favorite BBQ sauce, nestled atop a vibrant bed of fresh greens and then drizzled with a creamy, homemade avocado dressing. It’s the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, tangy, and fresh, making it an ideal meal for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish. Forget boring salads; this one is designed to impress your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make, with most of the magic happening on the grill and in a blender. We’re going to break it down into simple steps so you can achieve BBQ perfection in your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

Making the BBQ Chicken Skewers

First things first, let’s get our chicken ready for grilling. Cut the 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch in size. This ensures they cook evenly and are easy to thread onto the skewers. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken cubes with 3 tablespoons of avocado oil and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Make sure each piece is lightly coated. This oil helps prevent sticking and adds a subtle richness to the chicken.

Now, it’s time to prepare our skewers. Remember to soak your 8 (6-inch) wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before you plan to use them. This is a crucial step to prevent the wooden skewers from burning on the grill. Once soaked, thread the seasoned chicken cubes onto the skewers, leaving a small space between each piece to allow for even cooking. Aim for about 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer.

Next, we’re going to give our chicken a delicious BBQ glaze. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (we love Primal Kitchen for its clean ingredients and fantastic flavor) with the remaining 1 cup of BBQ sauce. You’ll be using this mixture in two stages: first for basting while grilling, and then a bit extra for serving.

Now, it’s time to grill those beautiful chicken skewers. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the preheated grill grates. Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. As the chicken cooks, generously brush it with the prepared BBQ sauce mixture. This will create a sticky, caramelized glaze that is utterly irresistible. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, as the sugars in the BBQ sauce can char quickly. A good indicator of doneness is when the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear.

Whipping Up the Creamy Avocado Dressing

While the chicken is grilling or resting, let’s make the star of our salad’s dressing: a creamy and flavorful avocado dressing. This dressing is remarkably simple and incredibly delicious. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 cup of avocado oil, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup of unsweetened full-fat coconut milk, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of red grape juice vinegar. The avocado oil provides a wonderfully smooth base, while the egg acts as an emulsifier, helping to create a rich and stable dressing. The coconut milk adds a subtle creaminess without being overpowering.

To this mixture, add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 2 minced garlic cloves. The garlic is essential for that pungent kick, and the onion powder adds a savory depth. You can mince your garlic as finely as possible for a smoother blend.

Now, it’s time to bring all those amazing flavors together in our dressing. Blend the ingredients on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and emulsified. This might take a minute or two, depending on your blender’s power. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed to ensure everything is incorporated. Once the dressing is smooth and creamy, stir in 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh dill fronds and 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh parsley. The fresh herbs are a game-changer, adding a burst of freshness and herbaceous notes that complement the richness of the avocado and the tang of the lemon juice and vinegar. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if needed; you might want a pinch more salt or a splash more lemon juice depending on your preference.

Assembling Your Masterpiece

The final step is to bring everything together and create your stunning BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad. You can use any bed of greens you like – a mix of romaine lettuce and spring greens, baby spinach, or even a bed of arugula would be fantastic. Arrange your dressed greens on individual plates or a large serving platter.

Once your greens are in place, artfully arrange the grilled BBQ chicken skewers on top of the salad. You can place them whole, or for easier eating, you can slide the chicken off the skewers and scatter it over the greens. Drizzle a generous amount of the creamy avocado dressing over the chicken and greens. You can also serve any leftover BBQ sauce on the side for dipping, for those who love an extra kick. For an optional finishing touch, you can sprinkle on some toasted pumpkin seeds or a few extra fresh herbs for added texture and visual appeal. This salad is a complete meal on its own, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures that will leave you feeling nourished and utterly satisfied.



Conclusion:

This BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad recipe is truly a winner for so many reasons! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the smoky, sweet flavors of BBQ chicken without the fuss of a traditional cookout. The skewers make for perfectly portioned, tender bites of chicken, marinated to perfection and grilled or broiled until beautifully caramelized. Combined with a vibrant, fresh salad base, this dish is both satisfying and incredibly healthy. It’s a complete meal that’s bursting with flavor and texture, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual weekend gathering. I really encourage you to give this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad a try – you won’t regret it!

For serving suggestions, I love to pair this salad with a dollop of creamy ranch or a tangy vinaigrette. It’s also delicious alongside some grilled corn on the cob or a simple side of watermelon for a truly summery experience. If you’re looking for variations, feel free to experiment with different vegetables on your skewers – bell peppers, onions, and zucchini are all excellent choices. You could also swap out the chicken for firm tofu or even shrimp for a different protein.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the BBQ chicken skewers ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken skewers up to 24 hours in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator. You can also grill or broil them ahead of time and then gently reheat them before adding them to your salad. This makes assembly on the day of serving a breeze.

What if I don’t have a grill?

No grill, no problem! You can easily cook the BBQ chicken skewers under your oven’s broiler or pan-sear them in a hot skillet until they are cooked through and nicely browned. Just keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

What kind of lettuce works best for this salad?

A sturdy lettuce like romaine or a spring mix holds up well to the heartier elements of the BBQ chicken skewer salad. However, feel free to use your favorite! Even a simple iceberg lettuce can be refreshing.

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BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

Tender BBQ chicken skewers served over a vibrant, homemade creamy herb salad dressing.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
30 Minutes

Servings
4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups BBQ sauce, (divided)
• 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. In a bowl, toss chicken with 3 tablespoons avocado oil and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Thread chicken onto pre-soaked skewers.
2. Step 2
   Grill or bake skewers for 10-12 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through, turning halfway. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, brush generously with 1 cup of BBQ sauce.
3. Step 3
   While skewers cook, prepare the dressing. In a blender, combine 1 cup avocado oil, egg, coconut milk, lemon juice, red grape juice vinegar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, onion powder, and minced garlic.
4. Step 4
   Blend until smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped dill and parsley.
5. Step 5
   Arrange grilled BBQ chicken skewers on a platter. Serve with the creamy herb dressing on the side, or drizzled over a bed of greens (not included in ingredients).
6. Step 6
   Warm the remaining 1 cup of BBQ sauce gently and serve as a dipping sauce if desired.

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.