BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad (Printable Version)

Grilled BBQ chicken skewers on a bed of fresh vegetables with honey mustard dressing for a light summer dish.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce, plus extra for brushing
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

08 - 5.3 oz mixed salad greens
09 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
10 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
11 - 5.3 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 1 avocado, sliced
14 - 1 small cucumber, sliced

→ Dressing

15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
16 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
17 - 1 teaspoon honey
18 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
19 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine olive oil, BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
02 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers, leaving a small gap between pieces for even cooking.
03 - Place skewers on the hot grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with extra BBQ sauce, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred on the edges.
04 - While the chicken grills, arrange the mixed greens, red and yellow bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and cucumber in a large serving bowl or on individual plates.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well emulsified.
06 - Place the grilled chicken skewers over the assembled salad. Drizzle generously with the dressing and serve immediately while the chicken is still warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoky char from the grill turns an ordinary weeknight salad into something you would happily pay restaurant prices for.
  • It comes together in about 35 minutes, which means you can pull this off on a Tuesday without breaking a sweat.
  • Every single component can be prepped ahead, making it a lifesaver for casual backyard gatherings.
02 -
  • If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes or they will catch fire on the grill and that smell will ruin everything.
  • Letting the chicken rest for two minutes off the heat before serving keeps the juices inside the meat instead of running all over your cutting board.
  • Check your BBQ sauce label if you are cooking for someone gluten free, because many commercial brands sneak in wheat thickeners.
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before marinating so the sauce actually coats the meat instead of sliding off on a layer of moisture.
  • The secret to restaurant quality char is resisting the urge to flip the skewers too often, let the grill do its work undisturbed for a few minutes on each side.

Go Back