Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep all the ingredients in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Just wait to chop the avocado and assemble everything until right before serving, and keep the vinaigrette in a jar to dress at the last minute.

What type of lettuce works best?

Romaine or iceberg lettuce brings awesome crunch, but butter lettuce adds a soft, sweet bite. Feel free to blend a couple of types if you like variety!

How do I keep the avocado from browning?

If prepping ahead, drizzle diced avocado with a little lemon or lime juice, and store in an airtight container. Assembling just before serving will always yield the best color and flavor.

Is this salad filling enough for a main dish?

Absolutely—thanks to the chicken and bacon, it’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep you going. If you’re serving particularly hungry folks, a side of bread or a handful of nuts rounds it out beautifully.

Chicken Bacon Avocado Chopped Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe

Looking for a salad that seriously delivers in both flavor and satisfaction? This Chicken Bacon Avocado Chopped Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a true game-changer! Bursting with vibrant colors, crunchy textures, and a zippy citrus dressing, this salad is just the thing for those fast-paced evenings when you need something hearty, healthy, and absolutely crave-worthy. With no fussy steps or hard-to-find ingredients, you’ll have this stunner on the table in under 30 minutes—yes, really! It’s a fresh new favorite in my kitchen, and I think it will be yours, too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ridiculously Quick and Easy: Whip up this salad with barely any effort. It’s the definition of weeknight-friendly.
Ultimate Flavor Combo: Juicy chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, bright lemon…every bite is loaded!
Versatile & Flexible: Works as a main dish, a side, or a make-ahead lunch—customize to your heart’s content.
Fresh and Filling: Thanks to protein-packed chicken and bacon with plenty of veggies, it actually keeps you full.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll gather for this crave-worthy salad, plus a few handy pointers to get the very best result:

Chicken Breasts: Cooked and shredded for lean protein; rotisserie chicken or leftovers work well, too.
Avocados: Diced just before serving for creaminess and a dose of healthy fats—ripe but still firm is perfect.
Corn Kernels: Adds a sweet crunch; fresh off the cob is fantastic, but thawed frozen corn works in a pinch.
Bacon: Crisp and chopped; don’t skimp, because those smoky, salty bites tie everything together.
Lettuce: Chopped for the base; romaine, butter, or iceberg keeps it crisp and refreshing.
Roma Tomatoes: Diced and seeded for juicy, tangy pops throughout the salad.
Fresh Parsley: Minced for an herbal kick; boosts color and flavor in every bite.
Chives: Chopped for subtle onion flavor.

For the Lemon Vinaigrette:

Lemon Juice & Lime Juice: Brightens and livens up every forkful—fresh squeezed makes all the difference.
Olive Oil: Extra-virgin for richness and a silky finish.
Garlic: Minced finely for a punch of flavor.
Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity.
Salt & Pepper: Season to taste to make all the flavors pop.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Love a little change? Here’s how to make it your own:

Switch Up the Protein: Grilled shrimp, leftover steak, or diced rotisserie turkey are great swaps.
Go Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and bacon, and add chickpeas or white beans for heartiness.
Cheese, Please: Crumble in feta, blue cheese, or sharp cheddar for an extra layer of creamy tang.
Spice It Up: Thinly sliced jalapeño or a dash of cayenne in the dressing brings gentle heat.
Add Crunch: Toss in toasted pepitas, sunflower seeds, or croutons for extra texture.

How to Make Chicken Bacon Avocado Chopped Salad

Step 1: Make the Lemon Vinaigrette

Whisk together all the dressing ingredients (lemon and lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper) in a small bowl until fully combined. Prefer convenience? Add everything to a mason jar, seal it, and shake vigorously. Taste, then adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 2: Prep the Salad Ingredients

Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and herbs so the pieces are evenly sized—this ensures every mouthful is balanced. Cook the bacon until crisp, then drain and chop it. If you haven’t yet, shred or cube your cooked chicken.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

Add all the salad ingredients—lettuce, chicken, avocado, corn, bacon, tomatoes, parsley, and chives—into a large mixing bowl.

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Pour half the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Taste and add more dressing if you like, but avoid overdressing (nobody likes soggy salad!).

Step 5: Serve Immediately

Transfer to plates or a serving bowl. Enjoy while the bacon is still a little warm and the avocado is perfectly creamy.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Only dress the salad when ready to serve. This keeps everything crisp and fresh—especially important if you’re meal prepping!
Chop ingredients into bite-sized pieces. This makes the salad easier and more enjoyable to eat.
Use fresh lemon and lime juice. The brightness can’t be matched by bottled stuff.
Leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken works beautifully. Save time wherever you can!

How to Serve

This salad truly stands on its own as a meal, but it’s also fantastic as a side or starter. Here’s how to make it shine:

On Its Own: Serve as an entrée for lunch or dinner, maybe with a crusty piece of bread to scoop up all those extra bits.
With Soup: Pair with a simple soup, like tomato basil or chicken noodle, for comfort food perfection.
As a Party Salad: Double or triple it for a potluck—just keep the avocado and vinaigrette on the side until serving.

Top tip: This salad loves a sprinkle of extra herbs or a fresh crack of pepper right before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pack any undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge; the bacon and chicken will stay fresh, though avocado might brown slightly (a squeeze of lemon juice helps!). For maximum freshness, keep the lettuce separate until just before serving.

Freezing

This salad isn’t a candidate for freezing—the fresh veggies and avocado don’t thaw nicely.

Reheating

No need to reheat—just toss any leftovers with fresh lettuce and a little more vinaigrette to perk things up before eating.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep all the ingredients in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Just wait to chop the avocado and assemble everything until right before serving, and keep the vinaigrette in a jar to dress at the last minute.
What type of lettuce works best?

Romaine or iceberg lettuce brings awesome crunch, but butter lettuce adds a soft, sweet bite. Feel free to blend a couple of types if you like variety!
How do I keep the avocado from browning?

If prepping ahead, drizzle diced avocado with a little lemon or lime juice, and store in an airtight container. Assembling just before serving will always yield the best color and flavor.
Is this salad filling enough for a main dish?

Absolutely—thanks to the chicken and bacon, it’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep you going. If you’re serving particularly hungry folks, a side of bread or a handful of nuts rounds it out beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Give this Chicken Bacon Avocado Chopped Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette a try next time you need dinner in a flash but want something that feels a little special. The mix of bold, fresh, and comforting flavors will have you happily looking forward to leftovers—if you have any! Don’t be afraid to make it your own, and enjoy every bite of this easy, ultra-flavorful salad.