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

Description

This Chicken Bacon Avocado Chopped Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a refreshing, protein-packed main-course salad. Tender shredded chicken, creamy avocado, crispy bacon, sweet corn, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes are tossed with a zingy lemon vinaigrette, creating a hearty yet healthy dish perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Salad

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
2 avocados, diced
1 cup corn kernels (from 1 ear of corn)
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
4 cups chopped lettuce
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives

For the Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

1 lemon, juiced
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon honey
Salt & pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Lemon Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and honey until the mixture is well combined. Alternatively, place the dressing ingredients in a mason jar, seal tightly, and shake vigorously. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the shredded chicken, diced avocado, corn kernels, chopped bacon, chopped lettuce, diced Roma tomatoes, parsley, and chives. Try to chop all ingredients into evenly sized pieces for a well-balanced bite.
Toss the Salad: Drizzle half of the lemon vinaigrette over the combined salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until all the components are coated. Add more dressing as desired, tossing again to ensure every bite is flavorful.
Serve: Enjoy the salad immediately for the best texture and freshness. Serve as a complete meal or as a hearty side.

Notes

Do not add the salad dressing until you are ready to serve to keep the lettuce crisp.
If you do not plan on eating the entire salad at once, store leftovers without dressing.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day.
For longer storage, leave out the lettuce until just before serving to prevent wilting.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 cups
Calories: 462 kcal
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 23g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 27g
Cholesterol: 73mg