BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad (Printable)
Smoky grilled chicken skewers atop crisp greens with tomato, cucumber, avocado, and lemon-Dijon dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ BBQ Chicken Skewers
01 - 1.1 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, gluten-free if required
08 - 8 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
→ Salad
09 - 4.2 ounces mixed salad greens such as romaine, arugula, and spinach
10 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
11 - 3.5 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
13 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - 1 avocado, sliced
→ Dressing
15 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
18 - 1/2 teaspoon honey
19 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine chicken cubes with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
03 - Thread marinated chicken cubes onto soaked wooden skewers.
04 - Place skewers on the grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally until chicken is fully cooked and lightly charred. During the last 2 minutes of grilling, generously brush barbecue sauce over all sides of the chicken.
05 - While the chicken grills, combine mixed salad greens, diced red bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced avocado in a large salad bowl.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and emulsified.
07 - Just before serving, toss the assembled salad with the prepared dressing to coat evenly.
08 - Arrange salad onto serving plates, top with hot BBQ chicken skewers, and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This salad guarantees you never have to choose between hearty BBQ and something fresh and vibrant.
- Cleanup is a breeze, and every bite manages to be just as satisfying as the last, so it's a staple for impromptu gatherings.
02 -
- If you skip soaking the wooden skewers, you might be dashing out flames before dinner.
- Brushing on the barbecue sauce only at the end keeps it from burning and turns tacky instead of charred.
03 -
- Let the chicken rest for a minute before serving to keep every bite outrageously juicy.
- Spritz the grilled skewers with fresh lemon juice at the finish for a pop of brightness you won't want to skip.