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Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad
Isla Marie

Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad

This Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad is a hearty, flavor-packed bowl of finely chopped romaine, crispy bacon, tender chicken, cheddar, and fresh veggies all tossed in a tangy homemade ranch. Quick, customizable, and perfect for weeknights or lunches!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food, Gluten-Free
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad:
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cooked chicken breast diced
  • 6 slices bacon cooked crisp & crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • ½ cup red onion finely diced
  • ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup corn fresh, canned, or frozen
Homemade Ranch Dressing:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cutting board & sharp knife
  • Skillet or baking sheet (for bacon)
  • Small bowl or jar (for dressing)
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Cook Bacon: Fry in skillet 8–10 min until crisp (or bake 400°F, 15–18 min). Drain, cool, crumble.
  2. Prep Veggies: Finely chop romaine, cucumber, red onion. Halve tomatoes.
  3. Mix Salad: In large bowl, combine lettuce, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, corn, cheddar.
  4. Make Dressing: Whisk all ranch ingredients until smooth.
  5. Dress: Pour ½–¾ dressing over salad. Toss to coat.
  6. Serve: Immediately for crunch or chill 15–30 min. Serve with extra dressing.

Notes

Chop Uniformly: ½-inch pieces = perfect bites.
Make Ahead: Store components separately up to 3 days.
Store-Bought Ranch? Use ¾ cup to save time.
Dairy-Free: Use vegan mayo, sour cream, cheese.
Storage: Undressed: 3–4 days | Dressed: 1–2 days
Reheat: No heat needed — serve cold.