September 28, 2024
Review RecipeChicken Bacon Ranch Salad
This hearty chicken bacon ranch salad boasts mouthwatering veggies brimming with color and a variety of ingredients drizzled with tasty ranch dressing.
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This chicken bacon ranch salad isn’t your average salad. The fresh crunch of romaine and tomatoes is balanced by the richness of crispy bacon and tender chicken. The avocado and hard-boiled eggs lend extra heartiness. Tossed in creamy ranch dressing, it’s a salad that’s both filling and flavorful, with every bite offering something new.
What To Know
Main Ingredients: Chicken, bacon, romaine lettuce, ranch dressing, avocado, cheese, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs.
Quick Steps: Layer romaine, chicken, and veggies, drizzle ranch, and repeat layers.
Total Time & Yield: 15 minutes; serves 6.
Why This Recipe
- This chicken bacon ranch salad recipe stands out for its simplicity and robust flavors, with fresh ingredients that keep it refreshing while being hearty enough for a satisfying meal.
- In contrast to other recipes that use pre-packaged or highly seasoned meats, this salad opts for a lighter approach, letting the natural flavors of grilled chicken and crispy bacon shine through.
- Additionally, it avoids overly complex steps like marinating the chicken for long periods, making it a quicker and more convenient option for busy days.
- You get all the same delicious flavors without needing advanced prep, offering a perfect balance of flavor and ease of preparation.
- This makes it a go-to for those who want a satisfying, fresh meal without the hassle of overly complex ingredients or techniques.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad Ingredients
Imagine crisp lettuce, juicy grilled chicken, savory bacon, and creamy ranch dressing all combined into one mouth-watering dish.
The combination of salty and savory flavors in this salad is sure to satisfy your taste buds and make your day.
The creamy and tangy ranch dressing pairs perfectly with the smoky bacon and the tender chicken, creating a delicious flavor explosion in your mouth.
You’ll need:
- 6 cups fresh romaine lettuce, chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup of ranch dressing
- 2 cups of chicken diced and cooked (grilled or leftover rotisserie chicken)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large or two medium peppers, seeds, and stem removed)
- 1 cup of crumbled bacon (1 pound or 16 slices)
- 2 avocados, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 tomatoes, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cups of grated jack or cheddar cheese
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and diced
- 2 chopped green onions, green parts only
5
Substitutions And Additions
PASTA: You could make this an even heartier salad by adding some cooked pasta. Rotini, farfalle, or penne would be ideal picks.
VEGETABLES: There are so many fresh veggies you could add to this bacon ranch chicken salad to customize it. Try pepperoncini, grilled corn, broccoli florets, cucumber, red onion, and olives.
CHEESE: Any cheese you love in salads would work here. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese or toss in some blue cheese.
CROUTONS: If you feel like this layered salad needs a bit of bread, throw in some seasoned croutons right before serving, so they don’t get soggy.
DRESSING: You can use store-bought or homemade ranch dressing on your layered salad.
Flavor Profile
This is a well-balanced salad with savory, creamy, and fresh notes all in one:
- The crisp, cool vegetables balance out the savory richness of the bacon and tender, juicy chicken.
- The ranch dressing adds a creamy, tangy element, while the avocado contributes a smooth, buttery flavor.
- The hard-boiled eggs add a slight richness, making each bite hearty and satisfying without feeling too heavy.
How To Make This Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad Recipe
Grab your trifle bowl — or, if you don’t have a trifle bowl, any deep large bowl will do. Bonus points if it is glass so you can see the lovely layers.
STEP ONE: In a large bowl, start by layering half of the chopped romaine lettuce.
Drizzle some ranch dressing evenly over the lettuce, adjusting the amount to suit your preference.
If you want to keep the salad fresh for longer or allow guests to choose their own dressing, you can skip adding it at this stage and serve the dressing on the side instead.
STEP TWO: Sprinkle half of the chicken over the lettuce. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
STEP THREE: Continue layering half of each ingredient: the red bell pepper, bacon, avocados, tomatoes, cheese, and egg.
Pro Tip: To keep the avocado looking fresh and vibrant, squeeze a little lemon juice over it. This simple trick prevents browning and keeps your salad looking delicious longer.
STEP FOUR: Repeat with a second layer of all the ingredients, topping with a final drizzle of dressing and chopped green onions.
Sprinkle some freshly ground black pepper over the top, if you like.
How To Serve This Bacon Chicken Salad
You can assemble this chicken bacon ranch layer salad several hours before serving. Add some fresh bread or garlic bread to the side to complete your meal.
It would be fantastic to take for a delicious lunch, an easy weeknight dinner, or to a potluck. Just make sure to leave off the dressing until you are ready to serve.
For more easy recipes for potluck options, try our coleslaw, baked beans, Italian pasta salad, and Caesar salad.
MORE SALAD RECIPES
For another BLT salad, check out our BLT pasta salad, or for a salad where chicken is the star, try our Chinese chicken salad. Also, try out our yummy dill pickle pasta salad.
Storing Chicken And Bacon Salad
IN THE FRIDGE: The salad’s separate components can be prepared a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator in separate airtight containers or bags until ready to serve. Wait to cut the avocado until just before assembling the salad.
IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing any components of this chicken bacon salad. It is best made fresh.
This is the best chicken bacon ranch salad and a delicious variation on the 7-layer salad. It packs in the flavor, combining the classic tastes of a BLT sandwich and taking it a step further to create a filling meal-sized salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add other toppings to my salad?
This easy bacon cheddar ranch chicken salad is very flexible. You can add or subtract any of the toppings you’d like to make this a customized salad.
How do I store this salad?
If you’d like to make this ranch chicken salad recipe ahead of time, you can prepare the components and store them in separate containers in the fridge. Assemble it right before you are ready to enjoy it.
Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken in this salad?
Any cooked chicken would be delicious in this bacon and chicken salad, including rotisserie chicken.
More Salad Recipes
- Cucumber Salad
- Mexican Layered Salad
- Pickled Cucumber Salad
- Egg Pasta Salad
- KFC Copycat Coleslaw
- Asian Cucumber Salad
- 5 Cup Salad
- Broccoli Apple Salad
- Olive Garden Salad Recipe
- Cowboy Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Layered Salad
This hearty chicken bacon ranch salad boasts mouthwatering veggies brimming with color and a variety of ingredients drizzled with tasty ranch dressing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh romaine lettuce, chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 2 cup chicken, diced and cooked (grilled or rotisserie)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped with seeds and stem removed (about 1 large or 2 medium peppers)
- 1 cup bacon, crumbled (about 1 pound or 16 slices)
- 2 avocados, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 tomatoes, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cup cheddar/jack cheese, grated
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and diced
- 2 green onions, chopped and green parts only
Instructions
- In a trifle bowl, spread half of the chopped romaine lettuce. Squirt or drizzle some of the ranch dressing over the lettuce, varying the amount according to taste, you can also skip the dressing to keep the salad fresh longer or if people like to have their own choice of dressing.
- Sprinkle half of the chicken over the lettuce. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Continue layering half of each ingredient: the red bell pepper, bacon, avocados, tomatoes, cheese, and egg.
- Repeat with a second layer of all the ingredients, topping with a final drizzle of dressing and some chopped green onions. Sprinkle some freshly ground black pepper over the top, if you like.
Notes
- Don’t panic if you don’t have a trifle bowl; any deep large bowl will do the trick. Bonus points if it is glass so you can see the lovely layers.
- A little lemon juice on the avocado will prevent it from browning.
Nutrition
Calories: 719kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 988mg | Potassium: 807mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 5913IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 333mg | Iron: 2mg
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Comments
Gloria says
This salad tastes like summer – how delicious!
Maggie says
This is such a hearty and refreshing salad, I love it. Definitely has become a regular to enjoy, five stars!