Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad is a delightful and nutritious dish, known for its unique combination of flavors and textures. This salad is a signature item on the Chicken Salad Chick menu, offering a fresh twist on traditional broccoli salads. It’s characterized by its crunchy broccoli florets, which form the base of the dish. The broccoli is complemented by a variety of ingredients that add both flavor and texture.
To make your own Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad, start with fresh, crisp broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces. The key to Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad is in the blend of ingredients. Add shredded cheddar cheese for a creamy element, and crispy bacon bits for a savory crunch. Sliced almonds and red onions provide a nutty flavor and a sharp bite, respectively, enhancing the overall taste profile.
The dressing for the broccoli salad chicken salad chick is what ties everything together. It’s a creamy, yet tangy mixture, typically made with mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar, whisked until smooth. This dressing coats the broccoli and other components, infusing them with a delightful blend of sweetness and acidity.
To prepare, mix the broccoli, cheese, bacon, almonds, and onions in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the mixture, ensuring that everything is evenly coated. Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together. This Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses, making it a perfect addition to any meal.
Course
Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine
American
Prep Time
10minutes
Cook Time
2minute
Chilling Time
1hour
Servings
4 persons
Ingredients for Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
Fresh Broccoli – 4 cups, cut into bite-sized florets
Sharp Cheddar Cheese – 1 cup, shredded
Bacon – 8 slices, cooked and crumbled
Red Onion – ¼ cup, finely chopped
Sliced Almonds – ½ cup
Mayonnaise – 1 cup
White Vinegar – 2 tablespoons
Granulated Sugar – 3 tablespoons
Salt – ½ teaspoon (or to taste)
Black Pepper – ¼ teaspoon (or to taste)
Cooking Method
Prep the Broccoli
Rinse 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets under cold water.
Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces if they are not already prepped.
Optionally, you can blanch the broccoli for a minute in boiling water and then cool it in ice water to brighten its color and soften it slightly, but this step is not mandatory.
Cook and Prep the Bacon
Cook 8 slices of bacon until they are crispy. You can do this in a skillet over medium heat, in the oven, or in the microwave.
Once cooked, place the bacon on paper towels to drain excess grease.
When cooled, crumble or chop the bacon into small pieces.
Combine the Salad Ingredients
In a large salad bowl, combine the prepared broccoli, 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, the crumbled bacon, ¼ cup of finely chopped red onion, and ½ cup of sliced almonds.
Prepare the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar until smooth and well combined.
Season with ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, or adjust to your taste.
Mix the Salad
Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture.
Toss everything together until the broccoli and other ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
Chill the Salad
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the broccoli to absorb the dressing, enhancing the overall taste.
Serve
Before serving, give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve the broccoli salad as a refreshing side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a complement to your main course.
How to store leftover Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad?
To store leftover Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. This preserves freshness and prevents the salad from absorbing other odors in the fridge. Ideally, consume within 3-4 days. Stir well before serving again, as the dressing may settle at the bottom.
What to serve with Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad?
Grilled Chicken or Steak: The broccoli chicken salad complements the flavors of grilled meats perfectly. The refreshing crunch of the broccoli and the creamy dressing balance the smoky flavors of grilled chicken or steak.
Sandwiches and Wraps: Serve the broccoli salad chicken salad chick recipe alongside a variety of sandwiches or wraps. The salad’s cool, crisp texture is a great counterpoint to the soft bread and fillings.
Baked Fish: Lightly seasoned and baked fish, such as salmon or tilapia, pairs nicely with the richness of the broccoli salad. The dish adds a refreshing touch to the meal.
Pasta Dishes: A simple pasta dish, whether it’s a light olive oil-based spaghetti or a heartier lasagna, can be nicely complemented by the vibrant flavors of the broccoli salad chicken salad chick.
Rice Dishes: Pair the Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad with a rice dish, like pilaf or a lightly seasoned risotto. The lightness of the rice dishes pairs well with the crunchy and creamy texture of the broccoli salad.
Quiches and Savory Pies: The rich, eggy flavors of quiches or savory pies are nicely balanced by the fresh and tangy profile of the broccoli chicken salad.
Vegetarian Entrees: For a vegetarian option, serve the broccoli salad with grilled tofu, veggie burgers, or stuffed bell peppers. The Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad adds a refreshing element to these dishes.
BBQ Fare: The broccoli salad chicken salad chick is an excellent side for BBQ ribs, pulled pork, or brisket, offering a creamy and crunchy contrast to the smoky, tender meats.
Potato Dishes: Whether it’s roasted, mashed, or baked potatoes, the simple flavors of potato dishes make a great backdrop for the more complex flavors of the broccoli salad.
Fresh Fruit: Complement the salad with a side of fresh fruit, like a fruit salad or sliced melons, for a light and refreshing finish to your meal.
Tips for Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
Use Fresh Broccoli: For the best texture and flavor, always use fresh broccoli. It should be vibrant green and firm to the touch. Avoid yellowing or limp broccoli.
Cut Broccoli into Uniform Pieces: Ensure your broccoli florets are cut into bite-sized, uniform pieces for even distribution of flavors and a more pleasant eating experience.
Blanch the Broccoli (Optional): For a slightly softer texture and brighter color, you can quickly blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for about a minute, then plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process.
Cook Bacon Until Crispy: The bacon should be cooked until crispy. This adds a delightful crunch and savory flavor to the salad.
Properly Drain and Cool Bacon: After cooking the bacon, drain it on paper towels to remove excess grease. Let it cool before crumbling to avoid wilting the broccoli with residual heat.
Finely Chop the Red Onion: Finely chopping the red onion ensures that its strong flavor doesn’t overpower the other ingredients and distributes more evenly throughout the salad.
Balance the Dressing: The dressing should have a good balance of creaminess from the mayonnaise and acidity from the vinegar. Adjust the sugar, salt, and pepper according to your taste preferences.
Mix Gently: When combining the broccoli with other ingredients and dressing, mix gently to ensure that the florets don’t break apart and the Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad maintains its texture.
Allow Time to Chill: Refrigerate the Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad for at least an hour before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and the broccoli to soak up the dressing, enhancing the overall taste.
Adjust Seasonings Before Serving: Taste the Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad after it has chilled and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Sometimes the flavors mellow a bit after chilling.
Add Nuts Last: If you’re using almonds or other nuts, consider adding them last or just before serving to maintain their crunch.
Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to add other ingredients like dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, or shredded carrots for additional flavor and texture.
Nutrition Facts of Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad( per serving)
Calories: Approximately 400-450 calories.
Total Fat: About 30-35 grams.
Cholesterol: Roughly 25-30 mg.
Sodium: Approximately 400-500 mg.
Carbohydrates: Around 20-25 grams.
Dietary Fiber: About 3-4 grams.
Sugars: Approximately 10-12 grams.
Protein: Roughly 10-12 grams.
Vitamins and Minerals: Broccoli is a good source of Vitamin C and K, and also provides calcium and iron. The other ingredients contribute additional vitamins and minerals in smaller amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Yes, you can prepare this salad ahead of time. In fact, it tastes better when allowed to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours, as this helps the flavors to meld.
This salad is rich in nutrients from the broccoli, almonds, and onions. However, it does contain mayonnaise, cheese, and bacon, which add fat and calories. For a healthier version, you can use low-fat mayonnaise and cheese, and omit the bacon.
Absolutely! This salad is versatile. You can add ingredients like dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, or even chopped apples for a sweet twist. You can also replace the bacon with turkey bacon or omit it for a vegetarian option.
When stored in an airtight container, the salad can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Remember to give it a good stir before serving again.
The basic ingredients of broccoli, cheese, bacon, and mayonnaise are typically gluten-free, but it’s important to check the labels of the products you use to ensure they haven’t been processed in facilities that handle gluten-containing products.
Conclusion
Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad is a delightful and versatile dish that brings a refreshing crunch and a harmonious blend of flavors to any meal. Whether you’re looking for a potluck standout, a picnic side, or just a tasty addition to your weekly meal rotation, this salad ticks all the boxes.
Its combination of fresh broccoli, savory bacon, and creamy dressing makes it a crowd-pleaser, while also offering room for customization to suit dietary needs or personal tastes. Remember, the best part about Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad is its flexibility, so don’t hesitate to experiment and make it your own!
