Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad Recipe

Name: Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves; 1 head red leaf lettuce, rinsed and torn; 1 head green leaf lettuce, rinsed and torn; 1 fresh tomato, chopped; 1 bunch cilantro, chopped; 1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained; 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained; 1 (2.8 ounce) can French fried onions; 0.5 cup Ranch dressing; 0.5 cup barbeque sauce

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 head red leaf lettuce, rinsed and torn
1 head green leaf lettuce, rinsed and torn
1 fresh tomato, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (2.8 ounce) can French fried onions
cup ranch dressing
cup barbecue sauce

Directions:

Preheat the grill to high heat and lightly oil the grate.
Place chicken on the preheated grill and cook for about 6 minutes on each side, or until the juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken should register at least 165F (74C). Remove from heat, let cool, and then slice.
In a large bowl, combine the torn red and green leaf lettuces, chopped tomato, cilantro, drained corn, and black beans.
Top the salad with the sliced grilled chicken and French fried onions.
In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing and barbecue sauce together until well combined.
Serve the dressing on the side as a dipping sauce, or toss it with the salad to coat evenly.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value
Calories	301
Total Fat	14g	18%
Saturated Fat	3g	15%
Cholesterol	21mg	7%
Sodium	805mg	35%
Total Carbohydrate	32g	12%
Dietary Fiber	6g	22%
Total Sugars	7g
Protein	12g	24%
Vitamin C	18mg	20%
Calcium	62mg	5%
Iron	2mg	13%
Potassium	535mg	11%

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your calorie needs.

History of Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad

The origin of Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad dates back to the early 2000s, when American restaurants started exploring innovative ways to combine comfort food with healthier options. Barbecue chicken, a classic American favorite, was paired with fresh greens and a zesty dressing to create a perfect balance of flavors. This salad quickly became a popular choice for summer meals and outdoor barbecues, offering a lighter alternative to heavier entrees without compromising on flavor.

Regional Features

This dish is particularly popular in the Southern and Southwestern United States, where barbecuing is a staple of local cuisine. The use of barbecue sauce as a dressing, along with ingredients like corn, black beans, and cilantro, is characteristic of Southwestern flavors. The combination of fresh vegetables and grilled chicken reflects the region's love for hearty, yet light, meals that embrace bold and smoky flavors.

How It Differs from Similar Dishes

What sets Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad apart from other similar dishes, such as traditional Cobb salads or chicken Caesar salads, is its unique barbecue twist. While Cobb salads often feature a creamy dressing and a mix of rich ingredients like bacon and eggs, and Caesar salads rely on tangy, anchovy-based dressings, this salad introduces smoky and sweet barbecue sauce combined with ranch dressing. The use of corn and black beans further sets it apart, giving the dish a Southwestern flair.

Where It's Typically Served

Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad is a versatile dish that is perfect for casual dining. It is typically served at family barbecues, picnics, and summer gatherings. Youll often find it on the menu of American restaurants specializing in comfort food with a twist, particularly in the South and West. The dish is also an excellent choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a light lunch option for those looking for a balance of protein and vegetables.

Interesting Facts

- The use of barbecue sauce in the dressing is a nod to America's love for smoky and tangy flavors, especially in Southern cuisine. - Variations of the dish often include adding other ingredients like avocado, shredded cheese, or bacon to enhance the richness of the salad. - The idea of combining barbecue chicken with fresh greens is a reflection of the growing trend in American cuisine of lighter, healthier meals that don't compromise on flavor. - While originally a creation by Amy, the salad has inspired countless home cooks and restaurants to add their personal touch, making it a true crowd-pleaser that can be adapted for different dietary preferences and regional tastes.

FAQ about Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad Recipe

Leftover Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days. However, if you’ve mixed the dressing with the salad, the lettuce may become soggy after a day.

Yes, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time, but it's best to keep the dressing separate from the salad until serving. If you want to make the salad in advance, store the components (chicken, vegetables, and beans) in separate containers and assemble just before serving.

It’s not recommended to freeze Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad. The lettuce, cilantro, and other fresh vegetables don’t freeze well, and the texture can change when thawed. If you want to freeze the chicken, you can do so before mixing it into the salad.

If you prefer not to use French fried onions, you can substitute them with crispy fried tortilla strips, croutons, or roasted nuts like almonds or cashews for some extra crunch.

Yes, you can customize the dressing. Some people use ranch dressing without the BBQ sauce, or a combination of blue cheese dressing and BBQ sauce. You can also experiment with a yogurt-based dressing if you’re looking for a lighter option.

To add some heat to the salad, you can incorporate ingredients like diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or chili powder into the dressing. You can also use a spicy BBQ sauce for grilling the chicken.

Yes, using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option! Simply shred the chicken and add it to the salad instead of grilling fresh chicken breasts.

This salad is a great stand-alone dish, but you can serve it alongside cornbread, garlic bread, or even a side of grilled vegetables for a complete meal.

Absolutely! You can add other vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, avocado, or even roasted sweet potatoes to the salad for added flavor and texture.

To prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy, avoid tossing the salad with the dressing until just before serving. If you're preparing it ahead of time, store the lettuce separately and add the dressing only when you're ready to eat.

Comments

Dennis Robinson

07/10/2023 04:32:46 AM

Delicious dish that the whole family enjoyed. However, I plan to make a few adjustments next time: 1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper before grilling. 2. Decrease the amount of lettuce used; two heads were too much unless they are small. 3. Include an extra tomato. My wife recommended reducing the amount of barbecue sauce in the dressing, so consider adding it to taste next time.

Sandra Nguyen

11/30/2022 01:42:21 AM

We used our George Foreman grill to cook the chicken and seasoned it with chili powder for a delicious 'blackened' flavor. We absolutely adore this salad! It was fantastic and we will definitely make it again. The sauce was also fantastic.

Gregory Rodriguez

12/06/2024 10:56:13 PM

Delicious and convenient! This dish was a hit, especially with my husband. I let the chicken marinate in the barbecue sauce for 30 minutes before grilling, which really enhanced the flavor. I made some tweaks by reducing the amount of beans, swapping French fried onions for chopped raw onions, and opting for grape tomatoes in abundance instead of a regular tomato. The dressing was a mix of 1/3 blue cheese dressing and 2/3 barbecue sauce from the fridge, creating a fantastic flavor combination. I can't wait to make this again soon!

Jonathan Phillips

11/12/2024 12:03:31 AM

Excellent

David Lee

10/20/2024 03:18:00 PM

The recipe was incredibly easy to follow. I opted for a pre-made salad mix and grilled the chicken to perfection. It was absolutely delightful and made for a wonderful summer dinner.

Timothy Roberts

01/04/2025 05:44:15 AM

Delicious! I enhanced the flavor by incorporating roasted garlic & herb seasoning into the grilled chicken. I left out the cilantro as I'm not a fan of it.

Larry Moore

10/06/2022 01:02:54 PM

This dish was straightforward and delicious. I seasoned the chicken with barbecue sauce, which enhanced the taste beautifully. We're not big fans of cilantro, so I would skip that ingredient next time as it was too overpowering.

Catherine Lopez

01/21/2025 01:06:22 PM

This meal was absolutely delicious! The standout flavor was definitely the dressing. I opted for a combination of Jack Daniels barbecue sauce and Bolthouse yogurt-based cucumber ranch dressing, which worked perfectly. Due to dietary restrictions, I made several modifications by microwaving the chicken and omitting cilantro, corn, beans, and onions. I also used a pre-packaged salad mix to save time. I then combined the greens and sliced chicken with a whole avocado and plenty of tomato. The result was a fantastic dinner, albeit with a slightly different flavor profile than traditional Southwestern cuisine.

audio version

Cook Time: 180 minutes