This chicken salad chick broccoli salad recipe combines fresh broccoli, crunchy bacon, and shredded cheese into an irresistibly creamy side dish! Easy and delectable all at the same time – don’t miss this easy yet delectable copycat recipe!
This recipe relies heavily on its dressing. A combination of apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise and sugar creates an irresistibly sweet yet tart taste that leaves guests wanting more.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a creamy blend of oil, egg yolks and mustard that’s used as a condiment or salad dressing in numerous dishes. Egg yolk is essential to making mayonnaise; its binding power helps emulsify oil molecules together into one mass of oil-soaked molecules. There are numerous tutorials online on how to create your own mayonnaise at home.
To create Mayonnaise, combine egg yolks and mustard in a small bowl until combined, and slowly drizzle in oil drop by drop while whisking to prevent curdling. Finally, add bacon bits and shredded cheese as desired before mixing in chicken of either white meat or dark meat variety – personal choice should dictate.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Although this copycat chicken salad chick broccoli salad recipe is very straightforward, it’s important to ensure all of the ingredients are properly prepared. Doing this helps lower foodborne illness risks. Whether using dark or white meat chicken pieces, use a meat thermometer to ensure each chicken piece reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before including it in your salad dish.
Apple cider vinegar is an ingredient commonly found in broccoli salad recipes, providing an added tangy tang. Plus, studies have suggested it could even aid with acid reflux!
Sugar
Some recipes call for the addition of raisins or dried cranberries for an additional sweet note in their broccoli salad recipes, while sunflower seeds provide crunch. Chopped pistachios or red pepper flakes add heat and spice up any salad!
Cooked chicken can make this dish an irresistibly filling meal – whether by frying, baking, or boiling – just ensure its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F for optimal results.
This delicious side dish makes a wonderful addition to almost any gathering or meal, such as potlucks, barbecues or picnics. It goes especially well with grilled chicken, beef stew or spatchcock chicken and is an ideal healthy alternative to regular lettuce salads for people on restricted diets or dieters alike.
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese is an integral component of this dish, adding delicious flavor and texture. Feel free to use either mild or sharp cheddar for this recipe.
This salad makes an easy and delicious option for lunch, packed with vegetables and chicken for maximum nutrition and low in fat and calories. Plus, its recipe can even be done ahead of time!
This salad makes an excellent side dish at any meal and can even serve as an individual snack! Prepare it ahead and store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve it – add bacon or ham for even more flavor.
Bacon
Cooked bacon adds great flavor and crunch to this copycat recipe, whether purchased or cooked yourself. Although store-bought packs of bacon bits may work just as well, personally cooking your own is always preferred for optimal taste and texture!
Mix together broccoli florets, shredded cheese, and cooked and crumbled bacon in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and sugar together until well mixed; pour this over your broccoli mixture and mix thoroughly so it covers every surface evenly with dressing.
Some people enjoy adding dried fruit or nuts to this salad for an additional punch of flavor, such as dried cranberries or golden raisins; chopped pistachios or sunflower seeds also work nicely. Finally, mixing in a bit of sour cream into the mayonnaise gives this dish a special richness that elevates it further.