Shredded BBQ Chicken Salad

Enjoy this Shredded BBQ Chicken Salad that is quick and easy to throw together and serve up for lunch or dinner as a high-protein lunch or dinner option. This cold chicken salad is great served as a lettuce wrap, or sandwich, or thrown into a tortilla and eaten in a wrap.

I love a classic chicken salad, but this chicken salad with BBQ sauce is a twist on a classic salad similar to the one from chicken salad chick. The best part of all, you can use canned chicken, shredded chicken, or even rotisserie chicken.

If you love barbecue sauce and are looking for new ways to use it, this cold chicken salad is a great recipe. Use your favorite BBQ sauce, and then serve it up in a variety of ways. It is great for summer as it is a cold salad so no heating up the house!

This is a great keto and low-carb recipe that is protein-packed. I love that I can keep this in the fridge and when I need a snack I can eat some of the salad to help fuel my body, and I have a healthy option instead of reaching for something that wasn’t as healthy.

📖 How To Make Pulled BBQ Chicken Salad

1️⃣ Prep vegetables: Small dice both the celery and the onion. 

2️⃣ Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, add shredded chicken, diced celery and onion, homemade mayo, and BBQ sauce. Stir everything together until fully combined. 

2️⃣ Adjust taste: Taste the salad and add any salt pepper, or additional BBQ sauce as needed. Enjoy!

🔪How To Shred Chicken For Chicken Salad

In order to make perfectly shredded chicken for chicken salads, you have a few options.

• You can boil chicken breasts until fully cooked and then shred with 2 forks OR you can cook chicken (even from frozen) in your instant pot OR you can also cook chicken breasts in a slow cooker or Crockpot.
• Another option and there is absolute nothing wrong with it is to purchase a rotisserie chicken! Yep, let someone else do the work. Simply remove the meat and skin and shred with 2 forks or a stand mixer.  Don’t forget to save the bones for easy bone broth!

Check out my guide for making all purpose shredded chicken where I explain all three methods.  

🍽️ Ways To Serve BBQ Chicken Salad

This barbecue chicken salad recipe is so easy, and I wanted to share a handful of recipes for you to try out.

• Lettuce wraps: Rinse your lettuce leaves well and drain off the water. Then you can pile on some of the chicken salad and spread it over the leaf. Top on any other toppings, and then pin with a toothpick if you need to.
• With crackers: Pick any type of crackers you would like and use to pile on some shredded BBQ chicken salad. You can use whole-grain, gluten-free, low-carb, or even a classic Ritz salad.
• On a sandwich: I love using multi-grain whole wheat bread, but you can reach for any type of bread you like. Then load up with some lettuce, sliced tomato, cheese if you want, etc. Then slice the sandwich in half and serve up a hearty and flavorful chicken salad.
• Stuffed Tomato: Hollow out a tomato and then stuff it full of some of the chicken salad. Then use a nice to slice apart the tomato and eat! Such a tasty option.
• Bread Bowl Dip: Hollow out a bread bowl and then pile in your chicken salad. Serve with crisp veggies, pretzels, crackers, etc. You can serve up this salad as a dip that is loaded with flavor.

🔁 Storing Leftover Chicken Salad

Leftover chicken salad has a pretty good shelf-life. If stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge it will last 5 to 7 days. While technically you could freeze leftover chicken salad, mayo freezes terribly, so do not freeze.

❔FAQ

What is a good substitute for mayo in chicken salad?

Smashed avocado and Greek yogurt are great alternatives.

Why is my chicken salad dry?

You either started with dry chicken breasts or you just need to add more moisture. Add in mayo 1 tablespoon at a time until chicken salad is smooth and creamy.

Can I use leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken for chicken salad?

Yes, you sure can. Just dice up the leftover chicken and then use it for mixing in. If you prefer you can shred the chicken. The goal is to make sure it is smaller pieces so it is bite-size for the salad.

What’s the best way to add extra protein to chicken salad?

Adding high-protein ingredients like canned chickpeas, chopped hard-boiled eggs, or even quinoa is a great way to add extra protein to this chicken salad.

More Cold Chicken Salad Recipes

• Sonoma Chicken Salad
• Chicken Salad with Apples and Walnuts
• Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad
• Everything Bagel Chicken Salad