Loaded Chicken Bacon Club Sandwich Salad with Avocado

If you're craving the savory, indulgent flavors of a classic chicken club sandwich but want something a little lighter and fresher, this Loaded Chicken Bacon Club Sandwich Salad with Avocado is your new go-to. It's everything you love about the sandwich: crispy bacon, juicy chicken, ripe tomato, and creamy avocado, plus a few extras, all tossed over a bed of crisp romaine and finished with a tangy, peppery, creamy dressing. It's hearty enough for dinner, easy enough for lunch, and perfect for meal prep. This is a salad that eats like a club sandwich, minus the bread, and you won't miss it one bit.

I know there are people in this world who don't love sandwiches. One of them lives in my house. Do I understand it? Not at all. I crave sandwiches, especially in warm weather. And not the dainty kind. I'm talking layers, textures, and bold flavors. It needs a good dressing, a hit of tang (looking at you, pickles), crisp lettuce for crunch, and often bacon, because bacon is just delicious. The king of cold sandwiches? The classic club, with a few updated additions like avocado and the aforementioned pickles. What I don't love is soggy toast. Club sandwiches are not exactly make-ahead friendly. And since I try to limit carbs without giving up food joy, that's where salads come in. If you can make a sandwich out of it, you can make a salad out of it. This easy club salad recipe does not disappoint. It's a chicken club sandwich meets Cobb salad mash-up that satisfies all the sandwich cravings in a low-carb form that holds up beautifully in the fridge for days of lunches or dinners.

Looking for more easy lunch and dinner recipes? Try these: Tuna Salad, Butternut Squash Feta Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette, or Fresh Spring Roll Salad with Creamy Peanut Ginger Dressing.

Why You'll Love This Chicken Club Salad

• All the club sandwich flavors-none of the bread
• High protein, low carb, gluten-free
• Fast & flexible-great for meal prep or feeding a crowd
• There's no cooking required if you use store-bought rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked bacon, and pre-cooked eggs-just assemble, mix, and serve!
• The combination of protein from chicken, bacon, and eggs keeps you full for hours
• You can prep most components ahead of time, making it ideal for meal prep or busy schedules. 

Ingredient Highlights for Chicken Bacon Club Sandwich Salad with Avocado

Salad:

• Lettuce - Romaine is the perfect base for this salad. Crisp and sturdy, perfect for holding up to all the toppings and dressing without wilting quickly. For nice flavor and texture layers, add some arugula or a spring mix to the romaine.
• Skinless Chicken Breast - You can use freshly grilled, pan-seared, or baked chicken breast, or save time with high-quality rotisserie chicken. The key is ensuring it's well-seasoned and tender.
• Thick-cut Crispy Bacon - Bacon brings that essential salty, smoky, crunchy bite that makes this salad a club. Cook it until perfectly crispy for the best texture contrast.
• Cherry Tomatoes - Fresh, juicy cherry or grape tomatoes provide acidity and sweetness that brightens the salad and helps balance the smoky, rich bacon. 
• Pickles - Pickles might not be mandatory for everyone on a sandwich, but they are for me.  And this salad is better for it!  The bright acidic bite gives it the zing I want every sandwich or salad to have. If you aren't a pickle lover, use a fresh cucumber.
• Hard-Boiled Eggs - Creamy, protein-packed, and classic in salads. Eggs add another layer of protein and help this salad feel like a satisfying meal with no need for bread. 
• Avocado - Creamy and rich, balancing out the salty and tangy components.  Avocado adds healthy fats and a silky texture.
• Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese or Blue Cheese - Pick your vibe: bold and tangy or salty and sharp.  The cheese adds richness and tang.

Creamy Dressing:

• Mayonnaise - Adds rich body and classic creaminess.
• Sour Cream - Tangy and smooth, sour cream lightens the dressing up a bit with all the richness from the oil in the mayonnaise.
• Apple Cider Vinegar - Provides brightness and an acidic kick.
• Dijon Mustard - Adds depth and a little savory sharpness.
• Garlic Powder - A subtle but essential layer of flavor that ties it all together.
• Fresh Dill and Chives (optional) - For herby brightness and a pop of color-especially lovely if you're serving this salad to guests.
• Milk or Water (as needed) - To thin the dressing to your preferred consistency. Start with 1 teaspoon at a time until it's pourable but still creamy.

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Loaded Chicken Bacon Club Sandwich Salad with Avocado

1. Step 1: Hard-boil eggs: Hard-boil the eggs (or use pre-cooked). Place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then cover, remove from heat, and let sit for 12 minutes before transferring to an ice bath.  Once cooled, peel and slice or chop as desired.

2. Step 2: Cook bacon: Pan fry or cook bacon in the oven on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes, until it's crispy enough to crumble easily but not so crispy that it shatters. It should hold together in satisfying chunks. Chop bacon strips into bite-sized pieces. 

Variations

• Cheese - Swap cheddar for pepper jack, Swiss, or feta cheese.
• Protein - Use turkey, ham, or a hard-boiled egg-only version. Try grilled shrimp, salmon, turkey, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
• Dressing - Try Greek yogurt instead of mayo/sour cream for a lighter option.
• Lettuce - While romaine is more traditional, butter lettuce, mixed greens, or even spinach can work. Choose heartier greens if you plan to dress the salad ahead of time.
• Add-ins - Thinly sliced bell pepper, banana pepper rings, pickled jalapeños, or croutons.

Diet Variations

• Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free (double-check your bacon and vinegar).
• Low Carb/Keto: This salad is naturally keto-friendly as written. Ensure your bacon has no added sugars, and consider adding more avocado or olive oil for extra healthy fats
• Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free sour cream and mayonnaise, and skip the cheese. Or for the dressing, opt for an olive oil vinaigrette. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor without dairy.
• Whole30/Paleo: Replace the sour cream and mayonnaise with compliant versions, or make your own using avocado oil mayo. Omit cheese.

Tips for Club Salad Success

• Time Savers: Use rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked hard-boiled eggs, and pre-cooked bacon to save prep time.
• Chill the dressing for 15 minutes before serving for extra flavor development.
• Timing is Everything: Add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning. Toss with dressing just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
• Lettuce Prep: Wash and thoroughly dry your romaine lettuce. Wet greens will dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.

Equipment Needed

• Cutting board & sharp knife
• Large bowl
• Small bowl or jar for dressing
• Whisk
• Tongs or a large salad spoon
• Mason jars (optional for meal prep)

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a slice of toasted sourdough if you're not low-carb.  Or make homemade croutons.
• Add a bowl of tomato soup for a delicious lunch pairing.
• Turn leftovers into wraps with your favorite wrap shell.
• Plate in individual mason jars or bento boxes for lunches to go.
• For entertaining, consider serving the salad family-style in a large bowl with the dressing on the side.

Storage Instructions

Refrigeration

• For optimal freshness, store components separately.
  • Keep the lettuce washed, dried, and stored in a salad spinner or container lined with paper towels.
  • The chicken, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs can be stored together in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Add fresh avocado just before serving.
• Dressing can be made ahead and stored in an airtight jar for up to 1 week.
• Meal prep tip: Layer ingredients in mason jars (dressing on bottom, lettuce on top) for grab-and-go salads.

FAQs - Club Salad

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