Description
A savory copycat of The Cheesecake Factory’s Barbeque Ranch Chicken Salad featuring smoky barbeque sauce, creamy ranch dressing, tender grilled chicken, and fresh crunchy veggies. Quick and easy to make at home with customizable options.
Ingredients
- 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g)
- ½ cup barbeque sauce (120ml)
- ½ cup ranch dressing (120ml)
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (120g)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (150g)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (60g)
- ½ cup cooked corn kernels (85g)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
Instructions
- Preheat grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Add olive oil to the pan, place chicken breasts down, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Toss gently in barbeque sauce until coated but not drenched.
- In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, cooked corn, sliced green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. Toss lightly.
- Place barbeque-coated chicken on top of salad. Drizzle ranch dressing over everything, starting with half and adding more if desired. Toss gently to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Rest chicken after cooking to keep it juicy. Use a grill pan or cast iron skillet for best sear. Toss chicken gently in barbeque sauce to avoid soggy salad. Homemade ranch dressing is recommended for fresher taste. Prep veggies while chicken cooks to save time. Frozen corn works if fresh is unavailable. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F. Variations include swapping barbeque sauce for buffalo sauce or adding avocado and black beans for a southwest twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad bowl serving
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 38
Keywords: Cheesecake Factory, Barbeque Ranch Chicken Salad, copycat recipe, chicken salad, barbeque sauce, ranch dressing, grilled chicken, easy salad