Looking for a salad that’s both hearty and packed with flavor? Look no further than this Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad! With a creamy, homemade ranch dressing, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and tender chicken, this salad has all the elements to make it a crowd favorite. It’s the perfect combination of fresh, crunchy vegetables, savory bacon, and tangy ranch, all tied together with the creaminess of the dressing. Whether you serve it for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish at your next gathering, this salad will surely hit the spot. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken, making the preparation quick and easy. Get ready to dive into a flavorful bowl that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Rich and Creamy Ranch Dressing

The homemade ranch dressing is a standout, taking inspiration from the beloved Wingstop Ranch. It’s so delicious you may want to double the recipe to keep it on hand for other meals.

2. Savory and Crispy Bacon

Bacon adds the perfect amount of smokiness and crunch to this salad, complementing the creamy dressing and the sharp cheddar cheese.

3. Hearty and Satisfying

With shredded chicken, cheese, and bacon, this salad is hearty enough to serve as a main dish for lunch or dinner. It’s a full meal in a bowl.

4. Quick and Easy

Using rotisserie chicken makes this recipe incredibly fast to put together, perfect for those busy weeknights or when you need a simple meal.

5. Customizable

You can easily adjust the ingredients to your taste. Want more cheese? Add extra cheddar. Need a lighter version? Swap the dressing for a yogurt-based one.

Ingredients

Homemade ranch dressing (inspired by Copycat Wingstop Ranch)
Shredded rotisserie chicken (or any cooked chicken of choice)
Sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
Bacon (cooked until crispy and crumbled)
Cucumber (peeled and diced)

Variations

Extra Veggies: Add other vegetables like diced tomatoes, red onion, or bell peppers for more crunch and color.
Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free ranch dressing and swap the cheddar for a non-dairy cheese.
Low-Carb: Serve this salad on a bed of lettuce or spinach for a low-carb, fresh base instead of using bread or wraps.
Spicy Kick: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra zing.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Homemade Ranch Dressing

Make the ranch dressing by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the pan and crumble it into small pieces. Set aside.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

Shred the cooked rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces. If you’re using leftover chicken, ensure it’s cooked and tender before shredding.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced cucumber.

Step 5: Add the Ranch Dressing

Pour the homemade ranch dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat everything in the creamy dressing.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the salad immediately, or chill it for 30 minutes for even more flavor development. Garnish with extra bacon or cheese if desired.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Make Ahead: You can prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time and store them separately. Combine everything and add the dressing right before serving.
Adjust the Dressing: If you prefer a thicker dressing, reduce the amount of buttermilk. For a lighter version, you can substitute part of the mayo with Greek yogurt.
Use Rotisserie Chicken: Rotisserie chicken adds so much flavor and saves time. If you’re using plain cooked chicken, be sure to season it well.

How to Serve

This Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad is perfect as a main dish or a side salad. Serve it on a bed of leafy greens like spinach or romaine lettuce for extra crunch. It also works as a filling for wraps, sandwiches, or even on top of a baked potato.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If possible, keep the dressing separate to prevent the salad from getting soggy.

Freezing

This salad is not ideal for freezing, as the creamy dressing can separate when frozen. It’s best enjoyed fresh.

Reheating

This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature. If you need to warm it up, reheat the chicken separately and toss it with the salad and dressing when it’s ready to serve.

FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought ranch dressing?

Yes, store-bought ranch dressing will work, but the homemade version adds a fresh, flavorful touch that’s hard to beat.

2. Can I use a different type of cheese?

You can substitute sharp cheddar with mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even crumbled blue cheese for a different flavor profile.

3. How do I make this salad lighter?

For a lighter version, use a lighter mayo or Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream, and skip the bacon or use turkey bacon.

4. Can I use other types of chicken?

Yes! Grilled chicken, baked chicken, or even leftover roasted chicken will all work great in this salad.

5. How long can I keep this salad in the fridge?

This salad will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 days, but the dressing may start to soften the vegetables if kept too long.

6. Can I add other vegetables?

Absolutely! Feel free to add things like tomatoes, avocado, or even bell peppers for more flavor and texture.

7. How spicy is this salad?

This recipe isn’t spicy, but if you like a little heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce.

8. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You can prepare all the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately. Add the dressing right before serving to prevent the salad from getting soggy.

9. Can I make the dressing dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the sour cream and mayo with dairy-free alternatives, and use a plant-based buttermilk substitute for the ranch dressing.

10. Can I use different types of lettuce?

Yes! This salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of greens, such as Romaine, spinach, or even arugula for a more peppery flavor.

Conclusion

This Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad is a simple, flavorful, and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With a creamy homemade ranch dressing, tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables, it’s a meal that’s both indulgent and refreshing. Whether you’re enjoying it as a main dish or serving it at your next gathering, this salad is sure to be a hit. Give it a try and see how easy it is to create a delicious, hearty salad your whole family will love!