Tired of boring salads? Say hello to your new lunchtime obsession! This isn’t just any chicken salad; it’s a flavor-packed powerhouse loaded with crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and hard-boiled eggs, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect way to elevate your meal prep and enjoy a truly satisfying, healthy dish that will keep you full for hours.
Ingredients
• For the Salad
• 12 oz / 340g cooked chicken breast, cubed or shredded
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 3 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 cup / 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 large ripe avocado, cubed
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 4 cups / 120g chopped lettuce, such as romaine or butter lettuce
• For the Creamy Dijon Dressing
• 1/2 cup / 120g olive oil mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp / 30g sour cream
• 1 tsp / 5g Dijon mustard
• 4 tbsp / 60ml extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp / 10ml fresh lemon juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Combine the salad : In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped eggs, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and celery.
3. Dress the salad: Pour about three-quarters of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
4. Add avocado and serve: Gently fold in the cubed avocado. Taste and add more dressing if desired. Serve immediately over a bed of fresh lettuce.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition Information
• Approximate values per serving
• Calories: 387
• Fat: 27g
• Carbohydrates: 2.5g
Pro Tips
• For a quick shortcut, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds fantastic flavor.
• To prevent the avocado from browning, add it to the salad just before you’re ready to serve.
• For meal prep, store the dressing and the salad components in separate airtight containers. Combine and add avocado just before eating.
• Swap the sour cream for an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing with a protein boost.
FAQ
Q: How can I meal prep this chicken salad
A: For best results when meal prepping, store the main salad components and the dressing in separate airtight containers. Only combine them and add the fresh avocado right before you are ready to eat to maintain freshness.
Q: How do I keep the avocado from turning brown
A: To prevent the avocado from browning, it is best to cube it and gently fold it into the salad just before serving. The lemon juice in the dressing also helps, but adding it last is the most effective method.
Q: What is a good substitute for sour cream in the dressing
A: You can swap the sour cream for an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt. This is a great option for a lighter dressing that also provides a protein boost.
Q: Can I use a different type of chicken for this recipe
A: Yes, for a quick and flavorful shortcut, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breast from scratch. Simply shred or cube the meat and add it to the salad.
