Description
A nutrient-dense summer salad featuring grilled BBQ chicken skewers, crispy vegetables, and a creamy coconut-milk ranch dressing. Perfect for balancing smoky grilled flavors with refreshing greens.
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts: 2 pounds (boneless, skinless; may use thighs)
BBQ Sauce: 2 cups (Primal Kitchen preferred; divided use)
Avocado Oil: 1 cup + 5 tablespoons (for grilling and dressing)
Coconut Milk: 1/2 cup (unsweetened full-fat for creaminess)
Romaine Lettuce: 8 cups (chopped from 2 small heads)
Grape Tomatoes: 16 ounces (quartered for bite-sized pieces)
Black Beans: 1 can (15oz, drained and rinsed)
Corn on the Cob: 4 ears (fresh recommended)
Avocado: 1 medium (sliced or cubed)
Fresh Herbs: 1/4 cup chopped (dill/parsley/cilantro for ranch dressing)
Garlic: 1 clove, minced
Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon
Salt: 1 teaspoon
Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
Prep chicken: Pound breasts to 1/2-inch thickness, marinate in 1 cup BBQ sauce for 30 minutes.
Prepare the ranch dressing: Whisk coconut milk, garlic, lemon juice, herbs, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp avocado oil.
Grill chicken: Thread chicken onto skewers, brush with 1/4 cup oil. Grill over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, basting with 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. Remove, rest for 5 minutes, then slice onto salad.
Grill corn: Brush ears with 2 tbsp oil, season with salt and pepper. Grill 10-12 minutes, rotating occasionally.
Assemble salad: Toss romaine, cherry tomatoes, black beans, and corn in a large bowl. Top with sliced grilled chicken, avocado, and remaining BBQ sauce. Drizzle with ranch dressing before serving.
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safety. Add a spoonful of plain yogurt to the ranch dressing for extra richness. For meal prep, store chicken and dressing separately from the greens. Chicken thighs add juicier texture if breasts are unavailable.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Healthy Salad Recipes for Busy Families
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 65mg