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Chicken Salad – Quick, Easy, BIG! Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 144 reviews

This quick and easy Chicken Salad recipe is perfect for a wholesome and satisfying meal, featuring tender shredded roast chicken, fresh crunchy vegetables, and a tangy, flavorful homemade dressing. Ideal for lunches or light dinners, the salad combines romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and optional crispy bacon for added texture and taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 3 cups store-bought roast chicken, shredded
  • 12 cups cos/romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-size pieces (about 2 medium and 1 giant head)
  • 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained (about 2/3 can)
  • 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
  • 300g/10oz cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or 2 normal tomatoes chopped
  • 2 cucumbers, halved lengthwise then sliced 1cm thick (or 1 long English/telegraph cucumber)
  • 2 avocados, cut into bite-size chunks (or 1 giant avocado)
  • 150g/5oz bacon, cooked until crisp then chopped (optional)

Dressing Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced using garlic press (~1 tsp)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (or any smooth, non-spicy mustard, optional)
  • 2 tsp dried mixed herbs (such as oregano, thyme, rosemary)
  • 1 tsp sugar (optional)
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Make the Dressing: In a jar, combine the cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried mixed herbs, sugar (if using), salt, and black pepper. Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously to emulsify the ingredients. Set the dressing aside for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
  2. Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, add the shredded roast chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, drained corn kernels, finely sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and avocado chunks. Pour most of the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything together thoroughly to ensure an even coating with the dressing.
  3. Serve the Salad: Transfer the tossed salad into a serving bowl. Drizzle the remaining dressing on top for extra flavor. Finally, sprinkle the crispy cooked chopped bacon over the salad if using. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and contrasting textures at their best.

Notes

  • Note 1: Using store-bought roast chicken saves time, but leftover or freshly roasted chicken works equally well.
  • Note 2: The cider vinegar adds a bright tang to the dressing, balancing the richness of the olive oil and avocado.
  • Note 3: If dried mixed herbs are unavailable, substitute with equal parts of dried oregano and thyme for a similar flavor profile.
  • Note 4: Sugar is optional in the dressing to slightly mellow the vinegar’s acidity; you can omit it if preferred.
  • Bacon is optional but adds a delightful crunch and smoky flavor to the salad.

Keywords: chicken salad, quick chicken salad, easy chicken salad, roast chicken salad, healthy salad, avocado chicken salad, bacon chicken salad

Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/chicken-salad-quick-easy-big-recipe/