BBQ Chicken Salad with Homemade BBQ Sauce

   This is my favorite salad. Ever. The flavors going on in this salad were just meant to be. Chicken, Barbeque Sauce, Zesty Ranch dressing, Corn, Black Beans, Green Onions, Cilantro........ are you with me? This was my first attempt at homemade barbeque sauce and we loved it! I found the recipe from the Neelys on the Food Network. It was super simple to make. I bet you have most of the ingredients in your pantry right now. I did! I love it when I find a recipe I want to make and I already have all the ingredients. No need to go to the store!

   One thing I will note on the sauce, when its simmering on your stovetop you will have kind of a vinegary aroma floating through your house. PLEASE dont let that worry you, like it did me. I stressed I would have this really strong vinegar tasting barbeque sauce but that was not the case at all! The end result was simply amazing and now after having it, I know I will make it often  : )

BBQ Chicken Salad

Serves 4-6

3 cups cooked, cubed Chicken

2 cups Barbeque Sauce (recipe below)

3 Romaine Lettuce Hearts, cleaned and chopped

1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

1 small bag Frozen Corn, cooked

1 cup Colby Jack Cheese, shredded

2 Green Onions, chopped

1/2 cup Cilantro, chopped

Ranch Dressing

Tortilla Strips

DIRECTIONS:  In a medium bowl, add the cooked, cubed chicken and barbeque sauce. Stir to coat chicken with sauce. Set aside. 

In a large bowl add the romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, cheese, green onion and cilantro. Toss together. Divide the salad evenly among plates. Top each salad serving with desired amount of barbeque chicken. Serve with tortilla strips and dressing. Enjoy!

Homemade BBQ Sauce

Yields 3 1/2 cups

2 cups Ketchup

1 cup Water

1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

5 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

5 Tablespoons Sugar

1/2 Tablespoon fresh Ground Black Pepper

1 Tablespoon Onion Powder

1/2 Tablespoon Ground Mustard

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

DIRECTIONS:  In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer. Cook, uncovered for 1 1/2 hours, stirring often.

Recipe Source: Food Network (Neelys BBQ Sauce)