Craving a restaurant-quality meal that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to make? Look no further than this Club Grilled Chicken Salad – a perfect symphony of crispy bacon, tender grilled chicken, creamy avocado, and fresh mixed greens that will transform your ordinary lunch into an extraordinary culinary experience. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that's not only nutritious but also guaranteed to impress everyone at your table!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all the ingredients. Wash the mixed greens thoroughly under cold water and spin them dry in a salad spinner or pat them dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- While the bacon is cooking, preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Grill the chicken breasts for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the juices run clear. Remove from the grill and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
- While the chicken is resting, prepare the remaining salad ingredients. Slice the avocado in half, remove the pit, and carefully slice the flesh into wedges. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, avocado slices, and halved cherry tomatoes. Toss gently to combine the ingredients.
- Drizzle the ranch dressing over the salad and toss again to evenly coat all the ingredients. Adjust the amount of dressing according to your taste preference.
- Divide the salad into four serving bowls or plates. Optionally, you can garnish with extra bacon or avocado slices for presentation.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Club Grilled Chicken Salad!
Tips
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is perfectly cooked at 165°F (75°C) for food safety and juiciness.
- For extra flavor, marinate chicken in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Use thick-cut bacon for more robust flavor and crispier texture.
- Choose mixed greens with varied textures like arugula, spinach, and romaine for more interesting salad base.
- Let grilled chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to retain moisture and make slicing easier.
- For a lighter version, substitute ranch with Greek yogurt-based dressing.
- Prep ingredients in advance to make assembly quick and stress-free.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 110mg
