Get ready to fire up the grill and prepare a mouthwatering Grilled Chicken Salad that’ll leave your taste buds dancing! This delicious recipe is perfect for BBQ lovers who want to enjoy a light, fresh, and flavorful meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
As a BBQ enthusiast with years of grilling and smoking experience under my belt, I’m thrilled to share this fantastic dish with you. The best part about this Grilled Chicken Salad recipe is that it’s perfect for beginners and experts alike. You don’t need to be a seasoned pitmaster to achieve fantastic results. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, anyone can master this tasty dish in no time.
To make this recipe a success, you’ll need a few essential tools, such as a grill, tongs, a meat thermometer, a cutting board, and a knife. Don’t forget a large salad bowl to toss all those yummy ingredients together!
So let’s dive in, grab our tools, and embark on this fun journey to explore the secrets of fantastic BBQ dishes together.
Happy grilling!
How To Make This Easy Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep the Grill
Get your grill ready by preheating it to medium-high heat. Make sure it’s clean and greased so your chicken won’t stick to the grates.
Season the Chicken
Take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and coat them with olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides to taste.
Grill the Chicken
Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side. Keep an eye on them, and use a meat thermometer to check that they reach 165°F inside. This ensures they’re cooked safely.
Rest and Slice Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes to let the juices settle. Then, slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces.
Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, cucumber, and avocado. Mix everything together to create a colorful and delicious base for your salad.
Top the Salad
Add the grilled chicken, crumbled feta cheese, and candied pecans on top of the salad. This will add tasty flavors and textures to your dish.
Make the Salad Dressing
In a blender or food processor, mix the mayo, sour cream, jalapeno, cilantro, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and lime juice. Blend everything until smooth and creamy. This is your homemade Jalapeno Lime Ranch dressing.
Dress and Toss the Salad
Pour your Jalapeno Lime Ranch dressing over the salad. You can add as much or as little as you like. Toss the salad to mix everything together, making sure every bite is coated in the delicious dressing.
Serve and Enjoy
Your Grilled Chicken Salad with Jalapeno Lime Ranch dressing is ready! Serve it up and enjoy this flavorful and satisfying meal with your friends and family.
Tips For Making Grilled Chicken Salad
Before you start making this delicious Grilled Chicken Salad with Jalapeno Lime Ranch dressing, here are a few helpful tips for beginners. These will make the process easier and ensure you get the best results:
- Preheat the Grill: Give your grill enough time to reach the right temperature (medium-high heat). This will help you achieve even cooking and perfect grill marks on the chicken.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure your chicken is cooked safely and perfectly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken should reach 165°F to be fully cooked.
- Customize the Dressing: If you prefer a milder dressing, remove the seeds from the jalapeno before blending. For an even spicier kick, leave the seeds in or use more jalapeno.
- Adjust Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with the seasonings on the chicken and in the dressing. You can add more or less salt, pepper, and other spices to suit your taste.
- Rest the Chicken: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after grilling will help retain its juices and make it more tender and flavorful when you slice it.
Keep these tips in mind as you prepare your Grilled Chicken Salad, and enjoy a delicious, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any BBQ enthusiast!
Perfect Sides for Grilled Chicken Salad
A great Grilled Chicken Salad deserves some equally delicious side dishes to round out your meal. The right sides can complement the flavors of the salad, making your BBQ feast even more enjoyable. Here are some tasty and easy side dish ideas to serve alongside your Grilled Chicken Salad:
- Grilled Corn: Fire up the grill and cook some juicy, fresh corn on the cob, seasoned with salt, pepper, and a touch of butter. The smoky, sweet taste of grilled corn pairs perfectly with the flavors of the salad.
- Garlic Bread: Toasted garlic bread, brushed with garlic-infused olive oil or melted butter and sprinkled with parsley, is a simple yet flavorful side that adds a nice crunch to your meal.
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries: Serve up some crispy baked sweet potato fries seasoned with your favorite spices. Their natural sweetness contrasts beautifully with the tangy flavors in the salad.
With these side dish options, you can create a well-rounded, satisfying meal that complements your Grilled Chicken Salad and delights your taste buds. Enjoy!
Best Beer To Serve With a Grilled Chicken Salad
Okay, now let’s get to the good stuff. You might be wondering what the perfect brew to wash down that tasty Grilled Chicken Salad is. We know that pairing the right beer can really elevate your meal and create a harmonious dining experience. So, here are my top 3 beer styles that go hand in hand with this delicious salad.
American Pale Ale
An American Pale Ale (APA) is a great choice because it has just the right balance of hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness. The citrusy notes in the APA complement the tangy, spicy Jalapeno Lime Ranch dressing and bring out the flavor of the grilled chicken.
Hefeweizen
A Hefeweizen is a light and refreshing wheat beer with fruity and spicy undertones. The crispness of this beer style pairs nicely with the freshness of the salad, and its subtle banana and clove flavors add an interesting twist to the overall taste of the meal.
Kölsch
This German-style beer is light, crisp, and easy-drinking, making it a perfect partner for our Grilled Chicken Salad. The mild hop bitterness and subtle fruity notes in a Kölsch enhance the salad’s flavors without overpowering them, and its refreshing nature makes it an ideal thirst quencher on a warm day.
So there you have it, BBQ lovers! Next time you whip up this delicious Grilled Chicken Salad, don’t forget to grab one of these fantastic beers to enjoy alongside your meal. Cheers to great food and brews!
More Chicken Recipes
- Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe
- Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe
- Grilled Chicken Fajitas With Chorizo
- The Best Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs With Vegetables
- Balsamic Grilled Chicken Recipe
Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Grill
- Tongs
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Large salad bowl
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or boneless skinless chicken thighs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup candied pecans
Jalapeno Ranch Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup mayo
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 bunch cilantro
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- Juice of 2 limes (lemon juice )
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Coat chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side or until it reaches 165°F (use meat thermometer to check).
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice it up.
- In a blender or food processor, combine mayo, sour cream, jalapeno, cilantro, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and lime juice. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- In a big salad bowl, mix romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and avocado.
- Top salad with grilled chicken, feta cheese, and candied pecans.
- Drizzle the Jalapeno Lime Ranch dressing on top of the salad.
- Toss everything together and enjoy your Grilled Chicken Salad with homemade dressing!
Grilled Chicken Salad FAQs
What type of wood should I use for smoking chicken?
If you choose to make smoked chicken breast for this chicken salad recipe, we recommend fruitwoods like apple, cherry, or peach. They provide a mild, sweet smoke that complements the chicken’s flavor without overpowering it. Though other wood can be used for different salad recipes.
Can I make Grilled Chicken Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and grill or smoke the chicken ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad and add the dressing just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
How can I keep my grilled chicken breast juicy and tender?
To get a juicy grilled chicken breast, try brining it beforehand! Also, avoid overcooking the chicken, as it can dry out. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Can I use store-bought chicken for Grilled Chicken Salad?
Yes, you can use store-bought chicken if you’re short on time. We’ve used rotisserie chicken and the results were divine!
How do I store leftover Grilled Chicken Salad?
Store any leftover Grilled Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the salad has been dressed, it may become soggy, so it’s best to store the dressing separately and add it just before serving.