Home » Salads & Dressings » Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad

Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad

This stunning Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad recipe is a riff on a classic seven layer salad.  It features layers of green leaf lettuce, peppers, sweet corn, tomatoes, onions, cheddar cheese, roasted chicken and crumbled bacon. All dressed in a creamy homemade salad dressing. It’s not only beautiful to look at, but serves as a delicious meal all on its own.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad

Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad Recipe

I absolutely love layer salads and often refer to them a edible centerpieces. This is especially true when the colorful ingredients are layered in a pretty see through trifle bowl or large decorative glass bowl. The sky’s the limit with ingredient combinations and everyone seems to have their own version. In the warm summer months, I love serving this salad at picnics and in the winter it’s a stellar option to enjoy with soup and warm garlic bread. Either way, this scrumptious salad is made for a crowd and it’s sure to be the hit of your next get together. How to make a Chicken Bacon Ranch Layered Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Dressing – Make Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing per the recipe here.
  • Chicken – Chop the rotisserie chicken.
  • Bacon – In a large skillet cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Use a sharp knife to chop.
  • Eggs – Boil the eggs in cold water for 10 minutes, then cool and peel. Use a sharp knife to quarter.
  • Cheese – Shred the cheese, preferably do this fresh.
  • Prepare the Vegetables – Clean and prep the vegetables. Wash the lettuce and dry, seed and slice the peppers, drain the corn if canned or if frozen, thaw. Thinly slice the onion and half the cherry tomatoes.
  • Assemble – In a large trifle or glass bowl layer in this order: 1/3 lettuce, 1/2 red pepper, 1/2 poblano pepper, 1/3 corn, 1/2 tomatoes, 1/2 red onion, 1 cup cheese, 1/3 bacon and 1/2 chicken. Drizzle with 1/2 cup prepared dressing.
  • Repeat the layers 1/3 lettuce, 1/2 red pepper, 1/2 poblano pepper, 1/3 corn, 1/2 tomatoes, 1/2 red onion, 1 cup cheese, 1/3 bacon and 1/2 chicken. Drizzle with 1/2 cup prepared dressing. (I recommend using Homemade Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing)
  • Top with the final 1/3 lettuce, 1/3 corn, 1/2 cup shredded cheese, 1/3 bacon and sliced green onion. Drizzle with 1/2 cup dressing drizzling around the edge. Arrange egg and tomato wedges on top to garnish.
  • Chill for 4 hours, Serve with additional dressing on the side.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad

How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad: Green leaf or romaine lettuce, red bell pepper, large poblano or green bell pepper, frozen corn, tomatoes, red onion, green onions, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, roasted chicken, crumbled bacon and hard boiled eggs cut into wedges.
  • Make Dressing: Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing or Garlic Herb Buttermilk Dressing
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: Sharp knife and cutting board, large trifle bowl, cheese grater, skillet to cook the bacon, measuring cups and spoons.
  • Can I make this layer salad in advance? Yes, you can. The layers were designed to allow you to make and assemble this salad one day in advance.
  • What if I don’t have a large bowl or trifle bowl? If you don’t have a trifle bowl this chicken bacon ranch salad works extremely well in a 13 x 9-inch cake pan. You’ll need to modify the layers a bit as you assemble them, but making it in a pan makes it easier to transport to outdoor events, family gatherings and office parties.
  • What dressing is best for this layer salad? I recommend making a batch of my Avocado Lime Ranch dressing or Garlic and Herb Buttermilk dressing for this chicken bacon salad. Both will make an ample amount for using between the layers plus extra to serve on the side for those who want to spoon on a bit more.
  • Can I use a bottle of prepared Ranch dressing for this salad? If you’re in a hurry, a quality prepared dressing would work on this salad. Another option is to mix-up a packet of dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix according to the package directions and serve it for the dressing.
  • Is this chicken bacon layered salad keto? This salad does include layers of diced tomatoes and shredded cheese. You could always adapt the layers according to your dietary needs to make it more low carb or keto friendly.
  • Store this Chicken Bacon Ranch Layered Salad chilled in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad

More Salad Recipes to Make

If you’re a fan of salads checkout these delicious options for potlucks, picnics, holiday gatherings and casual meals. Other easy salad recipes you may want to make:

Thanks for visiting come back soon!

Disclosure ~ If  a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Helpful Kitchen Items:

Helpful Kitchen Items:

Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad

Prep Time20 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken-bacon-ranch-layer-salad
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 370kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 9 cups roughly chopped green leaf or romaine lettuce divided
  • 1 large red bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 1 large poblano or green bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 1 12 oz frozen corn steamed and cooled
  • 6 medium tomatoes 5 chopped and 1 sliced into wedges for garnish
  • 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • 3 green onion thinly sliced
  • 2 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 cups roasted chicken roughly chopped
  • 1 lb bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 2 large hard boiled eggs cut into wedges
  • Dressing See Recipe Notes for links to: Homemade Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing or Garlic Herb Buttermilk Dressing

Instructions

  • Prepare the Vegetables: Wash the lettuce and dry, seed and slice the peppers, drain the corn if canned or if frozen, steam. Thinly slice the onion, slice the green onions and half the cherry tomatoes.
  • Chicken: Chop the rotisserie chicken.
  • Bacon: In a large skillet cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Use a sharp knife to chop.
  • Eggs: Boil the eggs in cold water for 10 minutes, then cool and peel and use a sharp knife to quarter.
  • Assemble: In a large trifle or glass bowl layer in this order: 1/3 lettuce, 1/2 red pepper, 1/2 poblano pepper, 1/3 corn, 1/2 tomatoes, 1/2 red onion, 1 cup cheese, 1/3 bacon and 1/2 chicken. Drizzle with 1/2 cup prepared dressing.
  • Repeat, 1/3 lettuce, 1/2 red pepper, 1/2 poblano pepper, 1/3 corn, 1/2 tomatoes, 1/2 red onion, 1 cup cheese, 1/3 bacon and 1/2 chicken. Drizzle with 1/2 cup prepared dressing. (I recommend using Homemade Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing)
  • Top with the final 1/3 lettuce, 1/3 corn, 1/2 cup shredded cheese, 1/3 bacon and sliced green onion. Drizzle with 1/2 cup dressing drizzling around the edge. Arrange egg and tomato wedges on top to garnish.
  • Chill for 4 hours, Serve with additional dressing on the side.

Notes

Shortcut: A quality prepared salad dressing or a packet of Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing made per the package instructions can be substituted for the dressing in this salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 508mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 4272IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 205mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

77 Comments

  1. I made this layered salad for Christmas Eve- first off it is a gorgeous salad to present!!! I made it with the Avocado Lime Dressing along with the dressing on the side. The dressing and salad are soooo scrumptious! Just wanted to share that the salad recipe makes so much that it would be great for a huge potluck at a school or other public event or if you have a larger family than mine. I hosted 12 people and had tons left so I know next time I will cut the salad recipe in half BUT make the original quantity of the Avocado Lime dressing (can’t get enough) 🙂

    1. Should be minus tomatoes but, I recommend that you run it through one of the multitude of converters on line to adapt to your personal needs.

  2. I just found this recipe and can’t wait to make it, but the recipe for the Garlic & Herb Buttermilk Dressing is not available. Please may you assist me with this? Thanks so much!! 🙂

  3. We had this salad for dinner tonight and it was lovely. I made the buttermilk and herb dressing and loved it. Also plenty to take to work tomorrow for lunch!

  4. Made this for our 4th of July steak supper. It was a HUGE hit. It served 8 people with tons left-over. It would serve twice that many! I made it on Saturday and served on Sunday night. Delicious! Made up a packet of Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch to use for the dressing.

  5. Lots of chopping but totally worth it especially if a friend is helping you. Used 6 eggs, dried herbs, cheese to top since I forgot, and spooned dressing over individual servings. Croutons are good too added to individual servings. Additional veggies like broccoli, steamed asparagus, and peas are great additions. Delicious and will make again.

  6. Chicken + Bacon + Ranch is a sure thing for a hit dinner in my house! I’m loving this salad. Thanks for linking to mine as well. All of these salads look delicious!

  7. I will be making this salad, however my real comment is about the video. I liked how the ingredients were added. I tend not to watch videos but thought this was a good one

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating