BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

This refreshing salad combines juicy, smoky BBQ-glazed chicken skewers with crisp summer vegetables and a zesty honey-apple cider vinaigrette. It’s a satisfying and light main course perfect for grilling season that’s ready in under an hour!

Table of Contents

• Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad
• Simple Step-by-Step Instructions
• Serving & Customization Tips
• FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
• Conclusion

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

This light and flavorful recipe serves 6 people:

• Chicken Skewers
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: 1 pound (Cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade): 1/4 cup
  • Olive oil: 1 tbsp
  • Salt and pepper: To taste
• Salad Base
  • Mixed salad greens: 5 cups (Romaine, spinach, and arugula suggested)
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved: 1 cup
  • Bell pepper, diced: 1 whole (Any color)
  • Red onion, thinly sliced: 1/2
  • Cucumber, sliced: 1/2
• Dressing
  • Olive oil: 3 tbsp
  • Apple cider vinegar: 2 tbsp
  • Honey: 1 tbsp (Use maple syrup for a vegan option)
  • Salt and pepper: To taste

Simple Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation (Chicken Skewers)

Step 1: Marinate

In a bowl, mix the chicken cubes with the BBQ sauce, 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or you can cover it and chill it for up to a couple of hours in the fridge for even deeper flavor.

Step 2: Preheat & Skewer

Heat your grill to medium-high. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, making sure to leave a slight space between each piece—this helps ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Grill

Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for about 10–15 minutes, turning them occasionally. Grill until the chicken is fully cooked ($165^\circ\text{F}$ or $75^\circ\text{C}$ internal temperature) and has defined grill marks. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.

Assembly (Salad & Dressing)

Step 4: Prep Salad Base

While the chicken is grilling, wash and thoroughly dry the mixed greens and place them in a large serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and cucumber.

Step 5: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the 3 tbsp olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until the ingredients are well combined and the vinaigrette is smooth.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Place the warm chicken skewers over the prepared salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently just before serving.

Serving & Customization Tips

• Serving Suggestion: This salad is often paired with a side of simple homemade garlic bread or a creamy pasta salad.
• Vegetarian Swap: For a meatless option, substitute the chicken with grilled vegetables like zucchini, portobello mushrooms, or cubed eggplant—marinate them in the BBQ sauce just the same!
• Flavor Boost: Add fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, or mint to the salad greens for an extra pop of flavor and aroma.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling?

Yes! You can bake the skewered chicken on a lined baking sheet at $400^\circ\text{F}$ ($200^\circ\text{C}$) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until fully cooked.

How can I make the dressing vegan?

Simply substitute the honey in the dressing with the same amount (1 tbsp) of maple syrup.

How far ahead can I make the dressing?

The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just be sure to whisk it well before serving.

Davis Janet

BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad

This refreshing salad combines juicy, smoky BBQ-glazed chicken skewers with crisp summer vegetables and a zesty honey-apple cider vinaigrette. It’s a satisfying and light main course perfect for grilling season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Dish, Salad

Cuisine: American, BBQ

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (Chicken Skewers)
• 0.25 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade) (Chicken Skewers)
• 1 tbsp Olive oil (for chicken) (Chicken Skewers)
• Salt and pepper (to taste) (Chicken Skewers)
• 5 cups Mixed salad greens (Salad Base)
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved (Salad Base)
• 1 whole Bell pepper, diced (Salad Base)
• 0.5 Red onion, thinly sliced (Salad Base)
• 0.5 Cucumber, sliced (Salad Base)
• 3 tbsp Olive oil (for dressing) (Dressing)
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar (Dressing)
• 1 tbsp Honey (Use maple syrup for a vegan option) (Dressing)
• Salt and pepper (to taste) (Dressing)

Equipment

• Grill or grill pan
• skewers metal or pre-soaked wood
• Large bowl for serving

Method

 

1. In a bowl, mix the chicken cubes with the BBQ sauce, $1text{ tbsp}$ olive oil, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a couple of hours in the fridge for deeper flavor).
2. Heat the grill to medium-high. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a slight space between each piece for even cooking.
3. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked ($165^{circ}text{F}$ or $75^{circ}text{C}$ internal temperature) and has defined grill marks. Remove and let cool slightly.
4. While the chicken is grilling, wash and thoroughly dry the mixed greens and place them in a large serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and cucumber.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the $3text{ tbsp}$ olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
6. Place the warm chicken skewers over the prepared salad. Drizzle with the dressing, and toss the salad gently just before serving.

Notes

For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of $165^{circ}text{F}$ ($75^{circ}text{C}$) before removing from the grill. Store leftovers and the dressing separately to keep the greens crisp. For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup in the dressing.

Conclusion

This Flavorful BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad is an easy, satisfying, and wonderfully refreshing main course that perfectly captures the taste of summer in every bite.