Smith's Smoky BBQ Chicken Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-27 · Updated 2026-03-27

A vibrant salad featuring tender grilled chicken, smoky barbecue dressing, and a medley of crisp vegetables. This american-inspired salads ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken breast, finely chopped red onion, diced avocado 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 320 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.

Ingredients

• 200g chicken breast
• 1/2 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1, diced avocado
• 1 cup, halved grape tomatoes
• 4 cups mixed greens
• 3 tbsp barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and 1/4 tsp salt. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked; let rest 5 minutes, then dice into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, red onion, avocado, and grape tomatoes. Add grilled chicken cubes and toss to combine.
3. Step 3: In a small jar, whisk together barbecue sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, remaining 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and honey until emulsified. Drizzle dressing over salad, then toss gently to coat.
4. Step 4: Divide salad into 4 servings and serve immediately, garnished with additional smoked paprika if desired.