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Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad with Candied Bacon. This salad is loaded with grilled chicken, fresh juicy tomato, creamy avocado, crunchy tortilla strips, black beans, cheddar cheese, and sweet and salty candied bacon. All drizzled with a homemade salsa ranch that is truly addicting!
Hi everyone! Serene from House of Yumm back with you today. And seeing as how it’s January and I’m feeling the pressure to eat more salads, I’m here to share my favorite salad with you! This Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad with candied bacon is kind of the salad of my dreams. It’s based on my all time favorite to go meal that I get from our local Market Street store, the Texas Toss salad. And I have to say I think I may like this homemade version even better than the one I get from the store! Other than the fact that when I buy it I have absolutely no dishes to do. But I can handle dishes in exchange for some absolute deliciousness.
This salad is loaded up with all kinds of goods..including the candied bacon!! It really makes the salad. Just the hint of maple and sweetness mixed with the savory chicken and other salad toppings. And don’t be worried, it’s super easy to make. The hardest part is not snacking on it so that it actually makes it into the salad.
If you have some chicken on hand you can use that in this salad, or rotisserie chicken, or even packaged grilled chicken strips. Anything to save time. If you want to grill your own chicken breast, I have an easy method included in the recipe for you below.
Top all of this with a creamy and delicious homemade salsa ranch dressing and there’s no way this salad will disappoint. It’s hearty enough to be a complete meal. And there is a hefty serving of greens in there too. Trust me.
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Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad with Candied Bacon
Ingredients
Salsa Ranch
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Candied Bacon
- 4 Slices thick-cut bacon
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
Grilled Chicken
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
Salad
- 3 cups chopped romaine
- ¼ cup black beans
- ¼ cup shredded or cubed cheddar cheese
- 1 diced tomato
- 1 diced avocado
- ¼ cup tortilla strips
Instructions
- To prepare the salsa ranch, in a food processor or blender add ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup milk, ½ cup salsa, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried dill, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¾ teaspoon garlic powder, ¾ teaspoon onion powder, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Blend for about 20 seconds or until all the ingredients are combined. Set aside. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
- To prepare the candied bacon preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Place 4 Slices thick-cut bacon on the wire rack.
- Brush the tops with half of the maple syrup and sprinkle with half of the brown sugar. Bake for about 15 minutes.
- Turn the bacon strips over, brush the tops with the remaining maple syrup, and sprinkle with the remaining brown sugar. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until desired doneness.
- Remove the bacon strips to cool on a plate lined with paper towels. The bacon will crisp and harden as it cools. Once slightly cooled, dice into small pieces and set aside for the salad.
- To prepare the grilled chicken, season 1 boneless skinless chicken breast with ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper. Pour ½ tablespoon olive oil into a small skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is heated, add chicken and cook for about 6-7 minutes then turn the chicken over to continue cooking on the other side. Once the chicken is cooked through, and no longer pink on the inside, remove the chicken to a cutting board and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes prior to slicing.
- To assemble the salad, lay 3 cups chopped romaine down, and top with the grilled chicken, candied bacon, 1 diced tomato , ¼ cup black beans, 1 diced avocado , ¼ cup tortilla strips, and ¼ cup shredded or cubed cheddar cheese.
- Drizzle with the salsa ranch and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Delicious Salad Recipes from House of Yumm
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Pear & Pomegranate Salad with Orange Poppyseed Vinaigrette
Antipasto Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
This is the most delicious salad I’ve ever had. So many wonderful flavours. It is a family favourite!
That is SO good to hear! I am happy it was a great recipe for you! Thanks for sharing! Xo
Your Recipe Critic,
Alyssa
Hey girl – This looks oh so delish!