Barbecue Chicken Couscous Salad
When it comes to simple, stress-free meals, this Barbecue Chicken Couscous Salad is one of my favourites. It’s fresh, colourful and perfect for warmer weeknight dinners.
Use leftover supermarket barbecue chicken for a quick shortcut or cook the chicken fresh on the barbecue. Combined with fluffy couscous, crunchy vegetables and a zesty lemon dressing, every bite is light and full of flavour.
Best of all, it’s a brilliant two-for-one meal. Enjoy it for dinner, then pack the leftovers for lunch the next day. It’s also perfect for meal prep, relaxed entertaining or sharing at your next summer barbecue.
If you love quick dinners like this, you might also enjoy my Chicken Caesar Salad. It’s another family favourite that’s on high rotation in our house.
More Easy Salad Meals You’ll Enjoy
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A brilliant two-for-one meal: Serve it for dinner and enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day.
Quick and flexible: Cook the chicken fresh or use leftover barbecue or roast chicken.
Fresh and satisfying: Fluffy couscous, juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables and creamy feta make it light but filling.
Perfect for meal prep: Prepare most of the salad ahead and add the avocado when you’re ready to eat.
Made for entertaining: Serve it on a large platter at barbecues, picnics or relaxed family gatherings.
Easy to customise: Change the vegetables, cheese or protein to suit what you have available.
Variations
Use leftover chicken: Replace the marinated chicken with leftover barbecue chicken, roast chicken or grilled chicken.
Make it vegetarian: Leave out the chicken and add roasted chickpeas or grilled haloumi.
Change the cheese: Try goat’s cheese, Persian feta or spoonfuls of herb and garlic cream cheese.
Add extra crunch: Scatter toasted pine nuts, flaked almonds or slivered almonds over the salad before serving.
Add more vegetables: Baby spinach, rocket, red onion or roasted vegetables would all work beautifully.
Swap the grain: Try quinoa, pearl couscous or bulgur instead of regular couscous. Follow the packet directions because cooking times and liquid quantities will vary.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Couscous Salad is a complete meal on its own, but you could also serve it with:
Warm flatbread or pita bread
Extra tzatziki
Hummus
Grilled corn
Barbecued vegetables
Lemon wedges
A simple green salad
For entertaining, place the couscous salad on a large platter and arrange the sliced chicken over the top. Finish with crumbled feta, fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Storage
Store the couscous salad and cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. It is not suitable for freezing because the fresh vegetables, avocado and cheese will change texture once thawed.
Make Ahead
Prepare the couscous and cook the chicken up to 2 days ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
You can also chop the cucumber and capsicum ahead. Add the tomatoes, avocado, cheese, fresh herbs and tzatziki prior to serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use supermarket barbecue chicken?
Absolutely. Remove the meat from the bones, roughly chop and add it to the salad. It’s a great shortcut for busy nights.
Can I make Chicken Couscous Salad ahead?
Yes. Prepare the couscous, chicken and most of the vegetables ahead, then add the avocado, cheese, herbs and tzatziki shortly before serving.
Can I eat couscous salad cold?
Yes. This salad is delicious cold or at room temperature, making it ideal for lunchboxes, picnics and meal prep.
What can I use instead of feta?
Goat’s cheese, Persian feta, haloumi or herb and garlic cream cheese are all delicious alternatives.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the chicken with grilled haloumi, roasted chickpeas or a combination of roasted vegetables.
Chicken Couscous Salad
An easy, fresh and zesty Barbecue Chicken Couscous Salad that’s perfect for summer dinners, BBQs or meal prep lunches. Made with fluffy couscous, juicy chicken and crunchy veggies. It’s a quick, delicious two-for-one meal!
Ingredients
- 1 pack Coles Boneless Whole Chicken with Greek Inspired Marinade
- 2 cups couscous
- 2 cups chicken stock (boiling hot)
- 40g butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 packet Qukes (baby cucumbers) or 1 Lebanese cucumber (peeled)
- 1 avocado
- 1 capsicum
- 2 tomatoes
- Feta or herb & garlic cream cheese (or goat’s cheese)
- Tzatziki, to serve
- Optional: olives
Instructions
- Cook the chicken according to packet instructions. It can be grilled on the barbecue, baked in the oven or cooked in the air fryer. Once cooked, set aside to rest.
- Prepare the couscous: In a large bowl, add boiling chicken stock, butter, garlic powder, lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir gently, then pour in the couscous. Stir to combine, cover with glad wrap and set aside for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Prep the salad: Chop the cucumbers, avocado, capsicum and tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Add to the couscous and gently toss to combine.
- Add the cheese: Crumble feta over the top and gently fold through.
- If serving separately, slice the chicken and arrange it on a platter.
- If adding to the salad, roughly chop the chicken and toss through the couscous mixture.
- Top with extra herbs (parsley, mint) if you like and a generous dollop of tzatziki.
Notes
Top Tips
- Short on time? Use pre-cooked chicken or leftover roast chicken.
- Add crunch: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds on top.
- Make it vegetarian: Swap the chicken for roasted chickpeas or grilled haloumi.
- Meal prep: Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Add avocado fresh on the day to avoid browning.
- Flavour boost: Add fresh mint or parsley for extra freshness.
- Bulk it up: Add shredded baby spinach or rocket leaves
Nutrition Facts
Calories
282Fat
10 gSat. Fat
4 gCarbs
41 gFiber
5 gNet carbs
36 gSugar
3 gProtein
8 gSodium
185 mgCholesterol
13 mgThe nutritional information provided is computer generated and is only an estimate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
