I have a major addiction here to this Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch Recipe! It’s been my weeknight dinner of choice when I want something to be quick but also still want to impress all the people. The combination of crunchy bacon, succulent chicken and that tang of ranch is just beyond perfect. You have my word that you will be contemplating why you ever lived without this Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch. Just hold on and keep reading because I’m about to tell you all my secrets to make this the all time best!
Why You Will Love This Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch Recipe
I mean, listen, we all have those times where we are standing in front of the fridge at 5 pm and we have no idea what we are going to make for dinner, right? That’s precisely how this Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch recipe came into being in my kitchen. My summary because last month my sister surprised me with a visit from her kids and I had to make something quick that they would at least try, with out having them scrunching their noses up. So I just grabbed who I had (some leftover chicken and bacon from breakfast) and went for it, as well as my homemade ranch seasoning. The children licked their plates (literally)!!!
The great thing about this Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch is it’s so adaptable! No leftover chicken? Grab store-bought rotisserie. Vegetarian friend on the way? Exchange chicken for chickpeas or tofu. And it only takes, like, 20 mins max which is great for busy weeknights.
What Do I Need To Make The Best Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch
For the Chicken Base:
2 cups cooked chicken, bite-sized pieces For this leftover grilled chicken is fantastic here but rotisserie from the store is my secret time saver.
6 strips bacon, cooked until crisp then chopped (I personally prefer thick-cut bacon for the texture but any kind of bacon will do)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes–Bright and just a little sweet.
1/2 red onion, small diced – yellow if you don’t have red is fine too
1 c. chopped romaine lettuce-iceberg is fine to use as well
For the Ranch Dressing:
1/2 cup mayo – full fat tastes the best but light works if you are counting calories
1/4 cup sour cream (substitute greek yogurt if you’d like)
2 tablespoons buttermilk – don’t have buttermilk? Combine cow’s milk with 1 c. milk+1tsp lemon juice
1 tsp dry dill – if you’ve got the fresh variety that’s great (use 1 tbsp)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (feel free to use fresh minced garlic as well)
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
If you’re gluten-free, I think all of these ingredients should be alright! For those who are dairy-free, there are some excellent plant-based sour cream alternatives that will work great in the ranch dressing.
How to Make Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch
Cook your bacon first. Put strips in cold pan then heat to medium. This is how the bacon renders its fat slowly and becomes super crispy.” Bacon is done when it is a deep red-brown and is so crisp you can snap it. Drain on paper towels, cool and chop into pieces.
Mix your ranch dressing. For dressing, combine all ingredients in bowl and whisk until smooth. Taste and season – I always add more garlic just because my family are garlic lovers. Dressing should be thick, but pourable – add more buttermilk if necessary.
Prep your veggies. Slice onions, cut tomatoes in half, chop lettuce. Keep lettuce in its own container to maintain crispness.
Assemble everything. Combine chicken, bacon, tomatoes and onion in a large bowl. Drizzle 3/4 of dressing over and toss to combine. Taste and season with more of the dressing if necessary.
Final touches. Just before serving, mix in chopped lettuce and gently toss. This is why lettuce doesn’t get soggy.
Pro tip: If preparing in advance, keep lettuces and dressing separate until ready to serve. Even better, if the chicken and bacon sit in a little bit of the dressing for a couple of hours!
Delicious Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch Variations
Southwest Style
Stir in 1/2 cup black beans, 1/2 cup corn, 1/4 cup diced avocado and a sprinkle of taco seasoning. So good for summer cookouts!
Italian Twist
Substitute Italian dressing for ranch, add 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup diced salami and some banana peppers. Great for meal prep lunches.
Loaded Baked Potato Version
Stir in 1 cup diced roasted potatoes, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar and 2 tbsp chopped chives. Hearty enough for dinner!
Buffalo Kick
Stir 2 tbsp buffalo sauce into dressing (sub blue cheese for ranch, add diced celery). Perfect for game day!
Greek-Inspired
Substitute tzatziki for ranch, and read cucumbers, feta and kalamata olives. Refreshing summer version!
If you are a fan of flavor like these, also try my Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Rice and Creamy Chicken Carbonara!
Frequently Asked Questions: Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch
How Long Does Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch last in the Fridge?
The mixed salad keeps for 2 days in an airtight container with the lettuce separated. If you’re not using lettuce, the chicken-bacon mixture will last 3-4 days. 2 February 24 24 CommentsShare274SharesRanch dressing will keep for about a week if kept in a sealed container.
IsChopped Chicken Bacon Ranch Make Ahead?
Absolutely! Divide all parts and keep them in a plastic bag. Combine chicken, bacon, tomatoes and onions; toss gently with dressing and lettuce just before serving. Perfect for meal prep!
What to serve with Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch?
Does great in so many things! Use it to stuff pita bread and wrap in tortilla, serve over rice or quinoa for a heartier meal, or keep it low-carb and eat straight up. My kids love it on those tiny slider buns for little sandwiches.
How can you make Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch healthier?
Easy! Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream and mayo, swap in turkey bacon and pile on additional veggies, such as cucumbers and bell peppers. Tastes delicious — with a fraction of the calories.
May I use store-bought ranch dressing instead of homemade?
Sure! But high-quality store-bought ranch is perfect when you’re short on time. But homemade tastes way better and doesn’t have any weirdo stuff in it. If store-bought is what you’re going for, use refrigerated kind not shelf-stable kind.
What is the best chicken to use for Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch?
I love the smoky flavor of leftover grilled chicken the best. (Store-bought rotisserie chicken is my other go-to for convenience.) You can also quickly sauté chicken breast with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Anything else I should know?
How can I turn this Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch into a meal?
Some easy ways to amp it up: Serve over a bed of greens for a bigger salad, stuff into a baked potato or roll up in a tortilla for a messy wrap, or serve with a side of Chimichurri Chicken Thighs for the protein folks.
Finishing out this awesome Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch and…
I mostly remember the first time I prepared this Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch for my dad who is the ultimate picky eater. He’s hardcore meat and potatoes kind of guy but tried one bite and said “this is exactly what good food is suppose to taste like!” It is that perfect balance of comfort food: something familiar, but still exciting.
“Thank you for the love you have shown to the recipes I have shared that have become part of your family’s regular rotation. This Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch is definitely not going anywhere in our house. Make it your own by swapping in ingredients based on what your family enjoys — eating well shouldn’t be a matter of making do.
Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch
Equipment
- Frying pan
- Mixing bowls
- Knife and cutting board
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Chicken Base:
- 2 cups cooked chicken chopped
- 6 strips bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 red onion diced
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
For the Ranch Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp buttermilk or 1 tbsp milk + 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried dill or 1 tbsp fresh
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Place bacon in a cold pan and cook over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels, let cool, and chop.
- Make Ranch Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Prep Veggies: Dice onion, halve tomatoes, chop lettuce. Keep lettuce separate until ready to serve.
- Assemble Base: In a large bowl, combine chopped chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and onion. Toss with 3/4 of the ranch dressing.
- Add Lettuce: Just before serving, fold in chopped romaine. Add more dressing if desired.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve immediately or store components separately for meal prep.