BBQ Chicken Salad

BBQ Chicken Salad is such an easy dinner idea. I especially love using leftover BBQ chicken from the night before. Transforming leftovers is kind of my favorite. Or if I am in a pickle for time I will grab a chicken from Sam’s Club. I usually have the ingredients on hand. I love using food storage items for everyday meals. And if I don’t have any chips I will make some tortilla strips like I do for my Taco Salad.

This is a great recipe when we have been running errands all day or spending our day swimming. And because each family member can choose their own ingredients or toppings my kids are usually pretty happy with dinner. It’s a great way to increase their veggie intake.

I love the tradition of eating a meal around the table together! We usually ask everyone their favorite thing from that day. It’s a great way to get the kids talking but also have them practice listening to each other and NOT interrupting. This helps model conversation skills and has helped our youngest daughter blossom and develop her language skills. She loves it when  her brothers ask her about her day. And she loves telling Daddy, who often is just getting home as we are serving dinner, that she went to the park or saw a certain friend. She is such a talker and I am sure this time together is one of the reasons. Our kids love that we want to listen to what they have to say. Sometimes our oldest is anxious to leave the table but we remind him it’s family time.

And our table is a screen free zone. Except for my phone that is used to figure out my son’s insulin. But then he puts it away because I am sure he would spill on it if we didn’t. It is such a blessing for our family to not have our screens out. Our kids are learning family night is more important. And it’s okay to not have your phone or device with you all the time.

Our kids are needing some reminders on table manners. We are trying our best to teach those important skills but man is it sinking in slowly. Reminders to excuse yourself after burping and why we shouldn’t lick our plate seem to be a regular thing. I really hope they can figure it out before dating starts. And my daughter loves making fart noises and getting her brothers laughing. Our family time may not be picture perfect but I do love it. 

I hope this BBQ Chicken Salad will help you feed your family quickly so you have more time to enjoy each other’s company. Dinner time is sacred time! Sometimes these simple recipes are easily forgotten as we are trying to plan our meals. With spring and summer around the corner it’s the perfect time to start serving salads. And just as important as serving veggies is encouraging great conversations. 

What questions do you love to ask your kids at dinner??? Share your ideas in the comments below…