This BBQ chicken cobb salad was conceived when I needed to clean out my fridge. Sad but true. I had a whole bunch of stuff about to go bad as well as some leftover Old-Fashioned BBQ chicken. Well, I threw this together, and it was up there with the top 5 most delicious things I’d ever eaten. Pretty good for lazy leftovers, right? The great thing is that you can really use whatever you have and/or whatever you like. Not crazy about hard-boiled eggs or blue cheese? Leave them out and replace them with something else in your fridge that needs to be eaten.
Ingredient Notes
- Lettuce – I recommend any variety of leafy green lettuce. I like Romaine, by feel free to chop up some iceberg lettuce for a little extra crunch as well. For added ease, buy a package of pre-washed, pre-cut lettuce.
- BBQ Chicken – I made this salad with leftover Old-Fashioned BBQ Chicken Legs, but feel free to grill up some fresh chicken and brush with your favorite barbecue sauce.
- Flexible Toppings – You really can’t go wrong here. I’ve called for crumbled bacon, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, blue or sharp cheddar cheese, green onions and avocado. Feel free to add or substitute as needed based on what you have available. Some croutons or those little flatbreads on the side would both be good additions.
- Dressing – I recommend Blue Cheese Dressing, or a high-quality ranch, like this Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.
How To Make a BBQ Chicken Salad
1. Pretty straightforward! Wash and chop lettuce (if not buying pre-washed, pre-chopped lettuce). Blot with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Arrange lettuce on large dinner plates and add a handful of BBQ chicken. Arrange remaining ingredients on top–you can either keep all the toppings separate and let dinner-eaters mix it up according to their liking, or you can just go WILD and sprinkle everything on top. Serve with dressing and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead? Since this recipe is designed around leftovers it is a perfect candidate for prepping ahead. The day before, make your dressing of choice, cook and chop your chicken, eggs, and bacon. Green onions, tomatoes, and cheese can be prepped the same day you plan to serve. Wash and chop lettuce and prepare avocados right before serving.
- Can I make it to serve a crowd? Absolutely. This salad would be great set up as a salad bar. (Pro tip- place your proteins at the end of the table so they will last longer. People tend to fill up their plates with whatever they come to first!) Follow the instructions above for prepping ahead.
Related Recipes
This salad is perfect for lunches and weeknight dinners. If you’re looking for something similar, but a little more sophisticated, check out this BBQ Ranch Salad, which includes fried onions, corn, and black beans, among other yummy additions.
Old-Fashioned BBQ Chicken Legs are a great protein to use here, but you could also use this All-purpose BBQ Sweet Rub to grill up your chicken.
Perfect Homemade Naan brushed with butter and garlic would make a delicious addition, as would these Sourdough Garlic-Herb Croutons.
Don’t forget those dressings! World’s Best Zesty Blue Cheese Dressing, Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, or even Cafe Rio Copycat Creamy Tomatillo Dressing (Lime Cilantro Ranch) would be amazing.
Did You Make This?
I’d love to hear from you! Snap a picture and tag me on Instagram, then come back and give this recipe a rating!
BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad
A quick, flexible salad designed to use up leftover barbecued chicken.
Ingredients
- leftover Old-Fashioned BBQ Chicken chopped into bite-sized pieces, or just brush your favorite BBQ sauce on some chicken and grill it up.
- Blue Cheese Dressing or a high-quality ranch, like this Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- Leafy green lettuce I like Romaine
- Hard-boiled eggs chopped
- Chopped green onions or sliced red onions
- Chopped tomatoes
- Blue cheese if not using aforementioned dressing or sharp cheddar cheese
- Avocado cubes
- Crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Wash and chop lettuce (if not buying pre-washed, pre-chopped lettuce). Blot with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Arrange lettuce on large dinner plates and add a handful of BBQ chicken. Arrange remaining ingredients on top--you can either keep all the toppings separate and let dinner-eaters mix it up according to their liking, or you can just go WILD and sprinkle everything on top. Serve with dressing and enjoy!
Did You Make This Recipe?Snap a picture, and hashtag it #ourbestbites. We love to see your creations on our Instagram @ourbestbites!
Questions & Reviews
This has become a family favorite!
Back in the 50s I would eat occasionally at the Brown Derby which is where the owner, Bob Cobb invented the Cobb Salad. The original had no onions and was served with a tureen of vinegar and oil dressing plus crumbled Roquefort cheese. The lettuce was a mixture of Romaine, iceberg and watercress. All the ingredients were chopped a bit finer than your illustrations show (I have NEVER been served a Cobb Salad in any other restaurant that was properly chopped.) Anyway, when I make this at home I prefer to use Blue Cheese instead of Roquefort.
I must give your version a try (without the onion) as it really sounds yummy. The BBQ chicken is a nice twist.
I can pass on the original recipe for those who would like it, including the dressing.
Made it for a lunch party with my girl friends. SO GOOD!
one of my favorites! Have made it many times and always like it!
Made this recipe from the cookbook and it was delicious!
Nevermind I found it right under the cobb salad on the other page before this one.
I couldn’t get the blue cheese dressing to come up on this page, where did it go?
Made this for the in-laws yesterday, it was a huge hit and very filling, thanks!
I have not had a cobb salad yet. It looks nice and hearty and tasty!
Beautiful Blog. Everything looks so yummy. Way to go.
I love cobb salad… yummy 🙂
What a tasty salad!
this looks so delicious!! i don’t know how with over 400 followers i have not heard of your blog before now?? i am loving what i am seeing!!
i am now going to be a faithful follower!
I am always on the lookout for a great main dish salad. This one looks sooo yummy!