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BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad Bowl

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

Inspired by California Pizza Kitchen, this fresh summer salad features tender grilled BBQ chicken skewers, crisp vegetables, and homemade Whole30 herby ranch dressing.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, BBQ
Calories: 953

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil for chicken
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt for chicken
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce Primal Kitchen recommended
  • 8 6-inch wooden skewers pre-soaked
  • 1 cup light tasting oil avocado or light olive oil for ranch
  • 1 egg for ranch
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened full fat coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt for ranch
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 4 ears corn omit for Whole30
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil for corn
  • 8 cups romaine lettuce thinly sliced
  • 6 green onions thinly sliced, green part only
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes quartered
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans drained and rinsed, omit for Whole30
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
  • 1 avocado peeled, seed removed, and diced

Equipment

  • Meat mallet or heavy skillet
  • large bowl
  • grill
  • Wooden skewers
  • Wide mouth jar
  • immersion blender
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Using a meat mallet or bottom of heavy skillet, pound chicken breasts to uniform 1/2-inch thickness. Cube into 2-inch pieces and place in large bowl with 3 tablespoons avocado oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 cup BBQ sauce. Stir well and marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes, or refrigerate 4-8 hours.
  2. Make the herby ranch: Pour 1 cup oil into wide-mouth jar. Crack egg into oil and let sink to bottom. Insert immersion blender and rest blade on yolk. Blend motionless for 10 seconds until thick mayo forms at bottom.
  3. Slowly raise immersion blender up and down until entire jar emulsifies into mayo. Add coconut milk, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, onion powder, and minced garlic. Blend to combine. Stir in dill, parsley, and black pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. Drizzle corn with 2 tablespoons avocado oil and rub to coat evenly. Heat grill over medium-high heat (350-400°F) and oil grill grates.
  5. Add corn to hot grill and cook until tender, 10-12 minutes total, turning every 2 minutes. Thread marinated chicken onto pre-soaked wooden skewers.
  6. Place chicken skewers on grill and cook 3-4 minutes until nice grill marks form. Flip skewers and baste grilled side generously with reserved BBQ sauce. Continue cooking until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and grill marks form on both sides, 3-4 more minutes.
  7. Transfer corn and chicken from grill and let corn cool enough to handle. Cut corn kernels off cobs.
  8. In large bowl, combine lettuce, green onions, tomatoes, black beans, cilantro, and basil. Add desired amount of herby ranch dressing and toss until lettuce is well coated.
  9. Add corn kernels and diced avocado to salad and gently toss to combine. Serve immediately topped with grilled BBQ chicken skewers.

Notes

Pre-soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Reserve 1 cup of BBQ sauce specifically for basting on the grill. For Whole30 compliance, omit corn and black beans. Herby ranch dressing keeps up to 1 week refrigerated. Store salad components separately for best meal prep results.
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