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Homemade Leftover Chicken Salad is Very Tasty!

One of the most delicious homemade chicken salad recipes you’ve ever made!

➡️ Did you know that leftover BBQ chicken salad is the perfect dish to make for dinner, especially in spring? Why? Because spring is full of fresh vegetables and the nice weather often invites you to grill, therefore, it’s possible that your fridge will be full of leftover chicken that you don’t know what to do with!

➡️ BBQ chicken is one of my favorite dishes when making a grill party. I like to marinate the chicken in various ways before grilling it because in this way I can vary the flavors and always eat chicken with a different taste. If you don’t have time to marinate it, you can season the chicken with salt and pepper and simply throw it on the grill. It will be just as good!

➡️ On the other hand, chicken salad is one of the cold appetizers I often make. I have various chicken salad recipes, many of which contain fresh vegetables, and therefore, when I make BBQ chicken, I add an extra amount that I will use for the salad because it tastes more appetizing than the one fried in a pan or oven.

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How to Make a Leftover BBQ Chicken Salad from Scratch

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Leftover BBQ Chicken Salad

Leftover BBQ Chicken Salad is a delightful and refreshing dish that transforms yesterday's BBQ chicken into a vibrant and flavorful meal. It's the perfect way to give your leftovers a delicious makeover while enjoying a light and nutritious salad. Packed with a combination of smoky flavors, fresh ingredients, and a zesty dressing, this salad brings together the best of BBQ and salad worlds.

This recipe takes advantage of the tender and flavorful pieces of BBQ chicken you have on hand, whether they are shredded or chopped. By incorporating them into a bed of mixed salad greens, you create a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that are sure to satisfy your cravings. The BBQ chicken brings a smoky, savory essence to the salad, while the fresh vegetables, like cherry tomatoes, corn, and black beans, add crispness, sweetness, and a pop of color.

To tie all the elements together, a tangy BBQ sauce-based dressing is drizzled over the salad, providing a burst of flavor that complements the BBQ chicken and enhances the overall taste experience. The dressing can be adjusted to your preference, with the option to add a touch of lime juice for a refreshing zing.

Leftover BBQ Chicken Salad is incredibly versatile, allowing for customization based on personal preferences and available ingredients. You can add toppings like avocado slices, shredded cheese, or crunchy tortilla strips to elevate the salad's texture and taste profile. The combination possibilities are endless, making it a flexible and adaptable dish for any occasion.

Whether you're seeking a quick and satisfying lunch, a light dinner option, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, Leftover BBQ Chicken Salad is a go-to recipe that will impress everyone at the table. So, let's dive into this mouthwatering salad creation and discover the delightful fusion of BBQ flavors and fresh salad components that will leave you craving more.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 0

Total Time 15

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories

Ingredients

2 cups leftover BBQ chicken, shredded or chopped
4 cups mixed salad greens
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup corn kernels (cooked and cooled)
1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lime juice
salt and black pepper (to taste)
optional toppings: avocado slices, shredded cheese, tortilla strips

Instructions

In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, black beans, red onion, and cilantro.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Add the leftover BBQ chicken to the salad and toss again to combine all the ingredients.
Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice if desired.
If desired, top the salad with avocado slices, shredded cheese, and tortilla strips for added texture and flavor.
Serve the leftover BBQ chicken salad immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Preparation Tips:

If the leftover BBQ chicken is cold, you can warm it up slightly before adding it to the salad for a more enjoyable eating experience.
If the BBQ chicken is heavily sauced, you can scrape off excess sauce before using it in the salad, or adjust the amount of additional BBQ sauce in the dressing to avoid overwhelming flavors.
Feel free to customize the salad with additional vegetables or ingredients of your choice, such as bell peppers, cucumbers, or sliced radishes.
To keep the salad greens crisp and fresh, toss them with the dressing just before serving. You can also store the dressing separately and add it right before eating.
Make sure the leftover BBQ chicken is properly refrigerated and consumed within a safe time frame to maintain food safety.

Keyword leftover bbq chicken salad

Making Leftover BBQ Chicken Salad at Home is a Breeze!

➡️ BBQ chicken is a classic American dish, and there are a lot of different ways you can make it. Grilled chicken is healthy, packed with flavors, and only takes a few minutes to make. Additionally, you can use up leftover chicken to make a delicious salad when you’re not planning to cook dinner. The leftover chicken salad is also a great snack and can be used for breakfast, too.

➡️ Barbecuing is a great way to cook meat and even vegetables, and it’s a skill that takes a bit of practice to get it just right. BBQ chicken recipes are among the easiest grill recipes and will help you to make tender and juicy chicken every time. Grilled chicken is the perfect spring and summer barbecue recipe, or anytime you want some delicious chicken on the table quickly.

➡️ Besides, that grilled chicken is delicious and the leftover can be used to make a salad, it is also one of the healthiest ways to cook it. Below is some information about the health benefits of eating chicken.

➡️ Enjoy making leftover BBQ chicken salad from scratch! If you need additional info, read more about chicken salad! Also, I recommend you to try more homemade chicken salad recipes available on this website such as cold mushroom and chicken salad appetizer, leftover chicken and corn salad, vegetable chicken salad appetizer, homemade chicken salad, and more.

➡️ Many more delicious chicken breast recipes are featured in my cookbooks Baked Chicken Breast Recipes: A Healthy Chicken Cookbook and Boneless Chicken Breast Recipes: Best Way to Cook Chicken Breast.

FAQs about BBQ Chicken Salad

What is BBQ chicken salad?

BBQ chicken salad is a flavorful and satisfying salad made with grilled or roasted chicken, fresh vegetables, and a tangy BBQ sauce dressing.

How do I make BBQ chicken salad?

To make BBQ chicken salad, start by grilling or roasting chicken until cooked through. Then, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and combine it with a mix of fresh salad greens, such as lettuce or spinach. Add additional vegetables like tomatoes, corn, red onions, and avocado for extra flavor and texture. Finally, drizzle BBQ sauce over the salad and toss it well to coat all the ingredients.

Can I use leftover chicken for BBQ chicken salad?

Absolutely! Leftover grilled or roasted chicken is a great option for making BBQ chicken salad. Simply chop the leftover chicken into pieces and follow the same steps for assembling the salad.

What kind of BBQ sauce should I use for the dressing?

You can use your favorite BBQ sauce for the dressing. Choose a sauce that matches your taste preferences, whether it’s smoky, sweet, spicy, or tangy. If you’re making the dressing from scratch, you can find various recipes online to create a homemade BBQ sauce.

Can I customize BBQ chicken salad with additional ingredients?

Yes! BBQ chicken salad is highly customizable. You can add ingredients like black beans, cheese, crispy tortilla strips, cilantro, or even pineapple to give it your desired flavors and textures. Feel free to experiment and create your own unique version of BBQ chicken salad.