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 it serves as a side dish or an entrée for any occasion.

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 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 a bowl of soup and warm garlic bread. Either way, this scrumptious salad filled with popular flavors and crunch is made for serving a crowd. It’s sure to be the hit of your next get together.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make a easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Layered Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Chicken – Four cups roasted or rotisserie chicken roughly chopped into bite-size pieces.
• Bacon – One pound crispy bacon adds a smoky flavor.
• Lettuce – Nine cups of roughly chopped green leaf or romaine lettuce holds up best to the dressing.
• Peppers – One large red bell pepper, poblano pepper or green bell pepper add crunch.
• Corn – Frozen corn that’s been steamed and cooled for sweetness.
• Tomatoes – Diced Roma tomatoes, vine ripened tomatoes or Campari tomatoes.
• Onion – Red onion and green onion for a mild onion flavor.
• Cheese – Shredded sharp cheddar cheese works perfectly.
• Whole Eggs – Large hard boiled eggs cut into wedges.
• Dressing – Avocado Lime Ranch or Garlic Herb Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. See Recipe Notes for links.

How to Make the BEST Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad Recipe

• Dressing – Make Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing per the recipe here.
• Prep the Chicken – Chop the rotisserie chicken.
• Fry the 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 then chop.
• Cook Eggs – Boil the eggs, then cool and peel. Use a sharp knife to quarter.
• Cheddar Cheese – Shred the cheese, preferably do this fresh.
• Prep the Vegetables – Clean and prep the vegetables. Slice the peppers, drain the corn, if using canned corn or if frozen, thaw. Thinly slice the onion and halve the cherry tomatoes.
• Assemble the Layers – In a large trifle or glass bowl layer in this order: One third lettuce, half red pepper, half poblano pepper, one third corn, half tomatoes, half red onion, cup cheddar cheese, one third bacon and half chicken. Drizzle with half creamy ranch dressing. Repeat the layers.
• Topping – Finish with remaining lettuce, corn, a sprinkle of cheese, bacon and sliced green onion. Drizzle with dressing.
• Garnish – Arrange egg and tomato wedges on top to garnish. (You can season the layers with salt and pepper to your taste.)
• Refrigerator – Chill for 4 hours, Serve with additional ranch dressing on the side. (Don’t toss.)

Kitchen Equipment to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Layered Salad

• Large trifle dish or glass bowl.
• Knife and chopping board.
• Cheese grater forfreshly grated cheese.
• Large skillet to cook the bacon
• Medium bowl and whisk for making the dressing.
• Measuring cups and spoons.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions for Layered Chicken Salad

• Best Salad Dressing for Chicken Bacon Ranch 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.
• Salad Dressing Substitutions – If you’re in a hurry, a quality prepared salad dressing would work on this salad. Another option is to mix-up a packet of dry Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix according to the package directions using sour cream and mayonnaise, and serve it for the dressing.
• Vegetable Variations – You can swap out any of the veggies with your favorite vegetables. You could add cucumber, broccoli florets, peas or cauliflower.
• Cheese – You could also use pepper jack cheese or colby jack cheese in place of cheddar cheese.
• Alternate Bowl – If you don’t have a trifle bowl this chicken bacon ranch salad works extremely well in a 13×9-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.
• 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.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – Can This Salad Be Made in Advance? Yes, you can. The layers were designed to allow you to make and assemble this salad one day in advance.
• Leftovers – Store this best Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad covered with plastic wrap chilled in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

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:

• Festive easy to make Frito Taco Salad.
• Chicken Pasta Salad that can double as a side dish.
• Seven Layer Salad is a vintage salad filled with vegetables!
• Italian Spaghetti Salad with Spinach is a delicious light meal on a busy day.
• Fresh Broccoli Salad can be served for the holidays, picnics and family meals.
• Layered Southwestern Cheese Tortellini Salad is the best of both worlds salad and pasta.
• Southern Cornbread Salad has to be experienced to be appreciated. It’s scrumptious!
• Make-Ahead 7 Layer Salads in a Jar from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Trifle Bowl