BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad – Easy Summer Meal

BBQ chicken skewer salad is the ultimate summer sensation, and for good reason! I don’t know about you, but when those warm days roll around, all I crave is that smoky, sweet char of barbecue. This dish takes everything you love about classic BBQ chicken and elevates it into a vibrant, satisfying salad that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a delightful weeknight dinner. Forget soggy lettuce and boring chicken; we’re talking about tender, grilled chicken skewers bursting with flavor, nestled amongst crisp, fresh vegetables and tossed in a zesty dressing. It’s the ideal balance of smoky, sweet, savory, and refreshing. What makes this BBQ chicken skewer salad truly special is its versatility and how effortlessly it combines hearty grilled elements with a light, healthy salad base, proving that comfort food can also be incredibly wholesome and exciting.

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BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

Summer grilling season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a vibrant and flavorful BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad? This dish takes all the smoky, sweet goodness of grilled chicken skewers and transforms it into a refreshing and satisfying salad, perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a light weeknight meal. The stars of this recipe are undoubtedly the tender, juicy chicken skewers coated in a tangy BBQ sauce, complemented by a creamy, homemade avocado dressing that’s surprisingly easy to whip up. Get ready to impress your taste buds and your guests with this delightful creation!

Ingredients:

Cooking Instructions:

Let’s get started on this delicious BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad! We’ll break it down into a few manageable steps to ensure perfect results.

Preparing the Chicken Skewers

1. First things first, let’s get our chicken ready for grilling. Take your 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and trim away any excess fat. Then, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. Uniformity in size will ensure that your chicken cooks evenly. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken cubes with 3 tablespoons of avocado oil and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. This light coating of oil helps prevent sticking to the grill and the salt enhances the natural flavor of the chicken.

2. Now for the fun part: basting the chicken with BBQ sauce. Reserve about 1/2 cup of your 2 cups of BBQ sauce for serving. Add the remaining 1.5 cups of BBQ sauce to the bowl with the seasoned chicken. Gently toss the chicken pieces until they are thoroughly coated in the rich, flavorful sauce. This is where the magic begin extracts, infusing the chicken with that classic smoky-sweet BBQ taste. If you have time, you can let the chicken marinate in the BBQ sauce for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator for an even deeper flavor infusion.

3. It’s time to skewer your marinated chicken. Take your pre-soaked wooden skewers (soaking them in water for at least 30 minutes prevents them from burning on the grill) and thread the BBQ sauce-coated chicken pieces onto them. Don’t pack the chicken too tightly; leave a little space between each piece to allow for even cooking and charring. Aim for about 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer.

Grilling the Chicken Skewers

4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, carefully place the chicken skewers onto the grates. Grill for approximately 8-12 minutes, turning the skewers every few minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice char marks on all sides. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). During the last few minutes of grilling, you can brush any remaining BBQ sauce onto the skewers for an extra layer of glaze. Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.

Making the Creamy Avocado Dressing

5. While the chicken is resting, let’s whip up our luscious, homemade avocado dressing. 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 lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of red grape juice vinegar, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and emulsified. This will create a rich and creamy dressing that is a wonderful alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based dressings.

6. Once the dressing is smooth, stir in the finely chopped fresh dill fronds and finely chopped fresh parsley. This adds a burst of freshness and herbaceousness that beautifully cuts through the richness of the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice to your preference.

Assembling the Salad

Now that all our components are ready, it’s time to assemble this spectacular salad. You can serve the BBQ chicken skewers alongside a bed of your favorite salad greens like romaine lettuce, spinach, or mixed greens. Alternatively, you can remove the chicken from the skewers (once slightly cooled) and toss it directly with your greens. Drizzle generously with the creamy avocado dressing. You can also serve the reserved 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling. For added texture and flavor, consider adding other toppings like chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes, corn, or even some crum extractbled blue cheese. Enjoy this delightful BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Conclusion:

There you have it – your guide to crafting a truly delicious and satisfying BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad! This recipe is a winner because it’s packed with flavor, incredibly versatile, and surprisingly easy to whip up for a weeknight meal or a backyard gathering. The smoky, grilled chicken skewers paired with a vibrant, fresh salad create a perfect balance of textures and tastes. It’s a lighter take on traditional BBQ that still delivers all the smoky goodness you crave.

Don’t hesitate to get creative with your serving suggestions! This salad is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with grilled corn on the cob, crusty bread, or even a side of quinoa for an extra hearty meal. When it comes to variations, the possibilities are endless. Swap out the bell peppers for zucchini or cherry tomatoes, add a sprinkle of toasted nuts for crunch, or experiment with different BBQ sauce flavors. I truly encourage you to give this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad a try – I’m confident you’ll love it!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the chicken skewers ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can marinate and skewer the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to grill.

What other vegetables work well in this salad?

Almost any grilled or fresh vegetable will be delicious! Consider adding grilled corn kernels, thinly sliced red onion, avocado, or even some crunchy cucumber. If you prefer a grain-based salad, cooked farro or couscous are excellent additions.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, this BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is fantastic for meal prep! Grill the chicken and chop all the salad ingredients separately. Store the chicken and dressing in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Combine everything just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

A refreshing salad featuring tender BBQ chicken skewers served over a bed of crisp greens with a creamy, homemade dill and parsley dressing.

Prep Time
20 Minutes

Cook Time
10 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. Toss chicken with 3 tablespoons avocado oil and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Thread chicken onto pre-soaked skewers, leaving a small space between pieces.
2. Step 2
   Preheat grill or broiler to medium-high heat. Grill or broil chicken skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through. Brush generously with 1 cup of BBQ sauce during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
3. Step 3
   While chicken cooks, prepare the dressing. In a blender, combine 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, and 2 minced garlic cloves.
4. Step 4
   Blend until smooth and emulsified. Stir in 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill fronds and 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley.
5. Step 5
   Arrange salad greens on serving plates. Top with the BBQ chicken skewers. Drizzle generously with the remaining 1 cup of BBQ sauce and the prepared dill and parsley dressing.

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.