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Bacon Broccoli and Ranch Chicken Salad

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By: MadelinePosted: 07/19/2020Updated: 01/01/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Bacon Broccoli and Ranch Chicken Salad is a satisfying and flavorful low-carb chicken salad. Use ranch dressing instead of mayonnaise to tie together the bold flavors of this healthy chicken bacon ranch salad.

Three quarter view of ranch chicken salad in a serving bowl

Make your chicken salad with ranch instead of mayo

One thing I have heard over and over again on Instagram is that people are NOT fans of mayonnaise. They will make my same chicken salad recipe but swap in some Greek yogurt for the mayo. This Whole30 chicken salad recipe is for all of those people who don’t like mayo.

Turns out you can use ranch dressing in place of mayo for chicken salad! The flavor of the ranch works perfectly with the chicken, broccoli, ranch, and shallots. This recipe works best with a thicker ranch dressing like my homemade ranch dressing.

Chicken, bacon and ranch is one of my favorite flavor combinations. Mix in some raw chopped broccoli for crunch and freshness and minced shallots to balance the flavor.

Ingredients for a chicken bacon ranch salad in a mixing bowl

Kitchen tools

  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Mixing bowls
  • Sauce pan
  • Sheet pan for baking bacon
  • Sharp knife

Trick for shredding poached chicken

To make this healthy chicken broccoli salad you will need to shred poached chicken breast. I usually shred it with two forks, but there are a few tricks to make shredding the chicken even easier.

If you have a stand mixer, place the chicken breasts in the bowl of the stand mixer and use the paddle attachment to shred the chicken breasts. Or use an electric hand mixer to shred the chicken breasts in a large mixing bowl.

Side view of bacon broccoli and ranch chicken salad in a mixing bowl

What ingredients will I need to make this Bacon Broccoli and Ranch Chicken Salad?

You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this healthy, Whole30 friendly chicken salad.

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Bacon
  • Broccoli florets
  • Ranch dressing – You can use homemade ranch dressing or store bought
  • Shallot

Ingredient substitutions

Instead of shallot you can use red onion or yellow onion. Be sure to mince the onions finely so that you don’t get a big chunk of onion in each bite.

To make this chicken bacon ranch salad recipe even easier, you can use a premade rotisserie chicken in place of chicken breasts. Just shred the breast meat from the rotisserie chicken and follow the recipe as listed.

You can also use leftover chicken for this recipe. If I am using chilled leftover chicken, I like to cut it into cubes and use it to make this ranch chicken salad.

Ranch dressing options

The key ingredient in this ranch chicken salad is a thick and creamy ranch dressing. I prefer to use my homemade ranch dressing recipe because it makes the perfect homemade creamy ranch dressing.

You can also use a classic hidden valley ranch dressing. Or make a quick homemade ranch dressing using ranch seasoning, mayo, greek yogurt and a little lemon juice.

How Should I serve this?

This chicken bacon ranch salad is perfect for meal prep. Once prepared there are so many different ways to serve it!

Most of the time I serve this ranch chicken salad on leaf lettuce as a big fresh salad. I also like to add some fresh veggies to the salad like tomatoes, cucumbers or carrots.

It is also delicious on a wrap, as a sandwich or with some crackers. I like to make sandwiches on toasted wheat bread with this chicken broccoli salad and some cheddar cheese.

Three quarter view of a bowl of ingredients for ranch chicken salad

How to make ranch chicken salad

Step 1: Bake Bacon and Poach Chicken

First, bake the bacon in the oven until crispy. Then, fill a pot with cold water and place 2 chicken breasts in the pot. Next, place the pot on the stove and bring to a boil. Once boiling cover the pot and simmer for 14 minutes.

Step 2: Prep other ingredeints

While the chicken and bacon cook, dice the shallot and chop the broccoli into smaller pieces. Then, remove the chicken breasts from the water and allow it to cool slightly. Next, shred the chicken with two forks and add to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Mix it up!

Then, add chopped bacon, broccoli, shallots, and ranch dressing to the bowl with the chicken. Finally, mix it all together so that the ranch dressing coats all of the other ingredients. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Above view of ranch salad in a serving bowl

How long will this chicken salad keep in the fridge?

Once prepared, store this low carb chicken salad in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Serve cold straight from the fridge.

Check out these other cold lunch ideas!

  • BLT Chicken Salad
  • Sesame Soba Noodles and Chicken
  • Mediterranean Shrimp Salad Recipe
  • Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad

You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!

Image for pinning Bacon Broccoli and Ranch Chicken Salad on Pinterest
Recipe

Bacon Broccoli and Ranch Chicken Salad

★★★★★ 4.9 from 12 reviews

A flavorful low carb chicken salad made with bacon, broccoli, ranch and shallots.

Recipe By: Madeline
Prep: 5 minutesCook: 25 minutesTotal: 30 minutes
Print Pin it Rate recipe Save recipe
Servings: 3 servings 1x

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup chopped broccoli
  • 5 strips cooked bacon
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing – thicker dressings work best
  • 1/2 a large shallot or one small shallot

Instructions

  1. Bake bacon until crispy
  2. Fill a pot with cold water and place 2 chicken breasts in the pot
  3. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a boil
  4. Once boiling cover the pot and simmer for 14 minutes
  5. While the chicken and bacon cook, dice the shallot and chop the broccoli into smaller pieces
  6. Remove the chicken breasts from the water and allow to cool slightly
  7. Shred the chicken with two forks and add to a large mixing bowl
  8. Add chopped bacon, broccoli, shallots and ranch dressing to the bowl with the chicken
  9. Mix it all together so that the ranch dressing coats all of the other ingredients
  10. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Alexa says

    Posted on 8/12 at 5:06 pm

    This recipe is so insanely easy and so tasty! The only way you could mess it up is by not trying it out!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 8/13 at 7:51 am

      YES haha I love that review!! Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Camille says

    Posted on 9/13 at 5:31 pm

    First time making it, and it’s definitely going to be a staple in our home! Can’t wait to snack on it all week!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/14 at 12:01 pm

      Ah yay!! that makes me SO happy!

      Reply
  3. Jenn says

    Posted on 9/15 at 5:51 pm

    Made this, including the homemade ranch, and it was devoured. My recommendation – double this recipe (and maybe hide some from your husband) so you are sure to have leftovers.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/16 at 3:03 pm

      oh that makes me SO happy! I am so glad you went for the homemade ranch tooo

      Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    Posted on 9/27 at 10:39 pm

    Tried this on a whim and I’m so glad I did! I’ve made it twice now and both times it was fantastic! I used turkey bacon and blanched the broccoli before I mixed it all together and it was the perfect snack ALL week! Thanks so much for this recipe!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/28 at 9:09 am

      amazing!! Thank you!

      Reply
  5. MaryLou says

    Posted on 9/29 at 9:48 am

    I’ve had this recipe saved all summer and finally got around to making it. What a pleasant surprise! It was SO easy (I made my shredded chicken a day before in the Instant Pot) and fun to make. This was also the first time making homemade Ranch dressing. It was ridiculously easy and I wished I would have tried it earlier. Kudos on this awesome recipe. I will definitely be making it again because my family devoured it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/29 at 10:28 am

      so glad you made it!! and enjoyed 🙂 Thank you!!

      Reply
  6. Joelle says

    Posted on 1/8 at 10:48 am

    I loved this. When I made it the second time I made some slight adjustments. I added some shredded carrots, and used balsamic. It’s definitely gonna be a staple.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/8 at 10:27 pm

      ooo love those additions!!

      Reply
  7. Dani says

    Posted on 3/18 at 11:57 am

    Tasty, but nothing new here. Been making various versions of this for years.

    ★★★★

    Reply
  8. Jennie S says

    Posted on 3/18 at 3:16 pm

    Loved loved loved this quick and easy recipe! The crunch from the broccoli added a nice texture and a great way to sneak in more vegetables. I added chopped 1 scallion as well and it was perfect. Definitely will be a regular in our house!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 3/25 at 4:02 pm

      thank you so much!!

      Reply
  9. Kimberly says

    Posted on 4/28 at 8:01 am

    Love this recipe! It is such a great combination and so easy to make!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/28 at 8:51 am

      wonderful!! thank you so much!!

      Reply
  10. Leah says

    Posted on 5/7 at 10:15 pm

    Score ANOTHER win for Madeline! Hubby says this o es a keeper too. 2 for 2 this week☺️

    Reply
  11. Jacqueline DeMore says

    Posted on 1/31 at 2:28 pm

    This is my favorite! I made it for the first time a few weeks ago and have been making it for lunch ever since. I put it in a pita pocket and double the recipe but keep the ranch dressing to one cup. So flavorful and delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 2/1 at 12:14 pm

      wow that sounds amazing in the pita! thanks so much Jacqueline!

      Reply
  12. Leah says

    Posted on 3/27 at 8:55 pm

    I made this with leftover chicken thighs. The flavors come together amazing and the broccoli is the perfect crunch.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  13. Erin says

    Posted on 10/15 at 4:48 pm

    Quick and easy recipe for work lunches! Love this.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/20 at 1:43 pm

      thanks Erin!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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