Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken Salad is fantastically rich and creamy with lots of crispy pieces of bacon, Ranch dressing, and shredded cheddar cheese. Perfect for using up leftover chicken.
How To Serve
Bacon Ranch Cheddar Chicken Salad is a chicken salad that will appeal to the finickiest of eaters. I mean, who can resist bacon and cheese? They really kick up the flavor of chicken salad.
A cool and creamy chicken salad makes a great summer meal. It can be made into a sandwich or served on top of a salad or inside a fresh summer tomato (my favorite!) for a low carb meal. I also love it spread on Club crackers for an appetizer or as a lettuce wrap.
Type Of Chicken To Use
I like to use rotisserie chicken but you can use leftover roasted chicken, poached chicken, or even grilled chicken. Chicken salad is a great way to breath new life into leftovers. In a pinch, you can use canned chicken.
The creaminess for this Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken Salad comes from a combination of mayonnaise and Ranch dressing. I like to use Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing.
Variations and Additions
- Make it spicy by adding a minced jalapeno pepper or a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.
- Add diced celery for a little crunch.
- Toasted pecans or almonds make a great addition to this ranch chicken salad.
- Substitute red onion for the green onion.
- Use bacon bits instead of cooking and crumbling bacon.
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days. If the chicken is cooked serveral days before you make the chicken salad, shorten the amount of time you keep leftovers. Food safety is so important.
I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad.
More Chicken Salad Recipes
- Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad
- Hot Chicken Salad
- Avocado Sonoma Chicken Salad
- Chicken Salad with Avocado and Bacon
- Strawberry Chicken Salad
- Golden Chicken Salad
- Greek Chicken Salad
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and chopped chicken
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Ranch dressing, I use Hidden Valley
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 5 bacon slices cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Place chicken in a large bowl.
- Add mayonnaise, Ranch dressing and pepper. Stir to mix well.
- Add green onions, cheddar cheese, and bacon and gently stir in. Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors meld.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally posted June 25, 2018.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
How many tomato’s will one batch do?
Add a dash of liquid smoke and it’s even better!
I’m making it now with a chicken I smoked yesterday.
This is the only chicken salad I’ve ever liked!! It is delicious and easy to make!!
I stuffed it in Pell peppers. Yum!!!!
So frugal and tasty ! Thank you so much !