lunch

BBQ Chicken Salad with Ranch Dressing

Recipe by: Nicole Keshishian

Time: 30 minutes
SERVINGS: 4-6
  • BBQ Chicken Salad with Ranch Dressing

We’re firm believers that the key to a great salad is a great dressing. We’ve partnered with salad connoisseur and cookbook author Nicole Keshishian (@kalejunkie) to bring you 3 simple, delicious recipes for the new year. 

"I am in my BIG SALAD era and it’s been so fun taking you all along for the ride! This salad is better than any restaurant salad and the highlight is the creamy ranch dressing that is made better using Brightland extra virgin cold pressed olive oil, crafted with olives grown on family-run California farms!" - Nicole

See Nicole's other two recipes here:

Crispy Quinoa Cucumber Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Balsamic Dressing

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

Ingredients

For the Dressing

  • 3/4 cup greek yogurt
  • 3/4 cup cottage cheese
  • 3 tb Brightland Alive Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 tb lemon juice (~ 1/2 lemon)
  • 1 tb dried dill
  • 2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt

For the BBQ Chicken Salad

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 3/4 cups bbq sauce of choice
  • 5 cups romaine lettuce, finely chopped (or red leaf lettuce)
  • 1 cup fresh, frozen or canned corn
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup baby tomatoes, halved
  • 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cups cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 cup corn chips, crushed (optional)

Instructions

  1. First, prepare the dressing: In a blender, add all of the ingredients and blend until completely smooth.
  2. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  3. Next, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Toss in bbq sauce.
  5. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tb of avocado oil, if desired. Add chicken and the bbq sauce to the skillet and cook for 8-9 minutes or until completely cooked through (165F internal temperature), stirring regularly. Remove from heat and set aside.
  6. Finally, build the salad. Add lettuce, beans, corn, onions, cilantro, crushed corn chips and the cooked chicken.
  7. Pour dressing on top, mix and serve immediately. ENJOY!

What You'll Need