Picture this: a salad so vibrant, it practically dances off the plate, with colors and textures that mingle like an unexpected yet perfect duet. The crispy bacon sings harmoniously with the creamy avocado, while the tender chicken adds a comforting depth. It’s like a summer sunset in a bowl—one bite, and you’re hooked, much like that time I tried paddleboarding and couldn’t stop grinning.
Steps
- Prepare the vinaigrette by thoroughly whisking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl or shake them in a jar until well mixed.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce, diced cooked chicken, sliced red onion, crumbled blue cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and cooked, diced bacon.
- Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the bowl, and gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve the salad immediately to enjoy its fresh and delicious flavors.
Ingredients
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and diced
- 4 ounces of crumbled blue cheese
- 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 head of Romaine lettuce (approximately 8 ounces), chopped
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 pound (about 2–3 cups) of diced cooked chicken
- Half a small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- A pinch of fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
FAQ
- What ingredients are needed for the Chicken, Bacon, and Avocado Chopped Salad?
- You’ll need cooked and diced bacon, crumbled blue cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped Romaine lettuce, diced avocado, diced cooked chicken, and thinly sliced red onion.
- How do you make the red wine vinaigrette for this salad?
- To prepare the vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until emulsified.
- What is the best way to combine the salad ingredients?
- Mix all the salad components in a large bowl, drizzle with the vinaigrette, and then toss gently to ensure everything is well coated.
- Can this salad be prepared ahead of time?
- It’s best to prepare this salad fresh to maintain the texture and flavor, especially of the avocado. However, you can cook the bacon and chicken, and prepare the vinaigrette in advance.
- What makes this salad a hearty entrée option?
- The combination of protein-rich chicken and bacon, along with creamy avocado and blue cheese, makes this salad filling enough to serve as a main course.
Tips
- Crisp Your Bacon Perfectly: For extra crispy bacon, cook it in the oven on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. This allows the fat to drip away, resulting in evenly cooked, crispy pieces perfect for the salad.
- Emulsify the Vinaigrette: Ensure your vinaigrette is well emulsified by whisking it vigorously or shaking it in a sealed jar. This will help the oil and vinegar blend together, giving the salad a uniform flavor.
- Keep Avocado Fresh: To prevent the diced avocado from browning, add it to the salad just before serving. You can also toss the avocado in a little lemon juice to maintain its vibrant color.
- Chill Before Serving: For a refreshing bite, chill the salad ingredients in the refrigerator before assembling. This will enhance the fresh flavors, especially on warm days.
Equipment
- Sealed jar (for mixing vinaigrette)
- Large mixing bowl (for tossing the salad)
