BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad with Ranch Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-27 · Updated 2026-07-27

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A vibrant chopped salad featuring BBQ chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing inspired by California flavors. This California-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs cooked chicken breast, BBQ sauce, romaine lettuce into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Serves 4 California cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups, diced cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
4 cups, chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
1 medium, diced cucumber
1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 slices, cooked and crumbled bacon
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Toss 2 cups diced cooked chicken breast with 1/4 cup BBQ sauce in a bowl until well coated and set aside.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup ranch dressing, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and 4 slices cooked crumbled bacon.
Step 4: Add the BBQ chicken and drizzle the ranch dressing over the salad. Toss everything gently until evenly coated.
Step 5: Serve immediately as a filling, flavorful main dish perfect for lunch or dinner.