Yard House BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
Make this Yard House BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe at home with tender BBQ chicken, crisp greens, red onion, and a bright orange chili dressing. I love how the smoky chicken and sweet citrus flavors come together without making the salad feel heavy. This easy restaurant-style salad takes about 30 minutes and works well for lunch or a light dinner. Serve it with warm bread, roasted potatoes, or fresh fruit when you want to turn your Yard House chicken salad into a fuller meal.
Ingredients
- For the BBQ Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing if needed
- For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon red chili sauce
- For the Salad
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup additional salad vegetables of your choice if desired
Instructions
- Step 1 - Coat the Chicken With Barbecue Sauce: Place the bite-size boneless chicken pieces in a bowl and add the barbecue sauce. Toss well so each piece is coated. Let the chicken sit for a few minutes while you prepare your pan.
- Step 2 - Sauté the BBQ Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the barbecue-coated chicken. Add a small amount of olive oil if your pan needs it. Cook the chicken over medium heat, turning and stirring often so it cooks evenly and the barbecue sauce coats the pieces without burning. Continue cooking until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the cooked chicken from the heat and set it aside to cool.
- Step 3 - Make the Orange Chili Dressing: Add the orange juice, olive oil, honey, and red chili sauce to a small bowl. Whisk everything together until the honey is fully mixed in and the dressing looks smooth. Taste it and adjust the balance slightly with more honey or chili sauce if needed.
- Step 4 - Soften the Raw Onion: Place the sliced onion in a small bowl and cover it with a little water. Let the slices sit briefly, then drain and gently squeeze out the excess water. This takes some of the sharp raw flavor out of the onion while keeping it crisp enough for the salad.
- Step 5 - Assemble the Salad: Add the salad greens to a large serving bowl. Scatter the softened onion slices over the greens, then add the cooled barbecue chicken. Pour the orange chili dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together so the greens and chicken are lightly coated.
- Step 6 - Serve the BBQ Chicken Salad: Serve the salad right after assembling it while the greens are fresh and crisp. You can enjoy it as a complete light meal on its own, since the chicken, greens, and dressing make it filling without needing a separate side dish.