Chicken Salad Chick’s Broccoli Salad is my favorite side dish from any restaurant! It’s a delightful mix of crunchy, creamy, cheesy, and bacon-y goodness. What more could you ask for? This homemade recipe serves the whole family and is perfect for potlucks!
What You’ll ❤️ About Chicken Salad Chick’s Broccoli Salad:
– Quick!This salad can be made in just 10 minutes!
– Delicious! The creamy dressing is light, and the cheese and bacon perfectly complement the crunchy, healthy broccoli!
– Family Favorite! Everyone loves broccoli salad, making it a perfect side dish for any dinner or potluck.
**Ingredients in Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad**
- Chicken Salad Chick is famous for their simple and easy dishes, like their Egg Salad. This Broccoli Salad is no different – you’ll love it!
- – Bacon – Delicious, scrumptious bacon! – Slice the bacon first and then fry it. Don’t cook it too crispy as it will harden a bit after draining.
- – Broccoli – You’ll need 6-7 cups of fresh broccoli, which is about 2 bunches or 2 of the 12 oz packages of florets. – Use a paring knife to cut the florets into small pieces. It makes the salad easier and helps the dressing coat every piece.
- – Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. – Grate your own cheese! Freshly grated cheese is much better than pre-shredded, which has preservatives that affect the taste.
- – Dressing – Mayonnaise, white sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. – If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can substitute balsamic vinegar.
How to make copycat Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Recipe
This is the easiest side dish you can make! Just cook the bacon and mix everything together!
- Cook the bacon, then cool and drain it on a paper towel. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Place broccoli in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli and stir to coat.
- Add the cheese and crumbled bacon, then mix thoroughly.
- Refrigerate for at least a few minutes or overnight before serving.
CHICKEN SALAD CHICK BROCCOLI SALAD RECIPE : Tips, Tricks and FAQs
Can You Make Broccoli Salad Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Making broccoli salad ahead of time is not only possible but often recommended. Preparing this delightful dish a day in advance allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more harmonious and delicious outcome. The key here is to allow ample time for the dressing to permeate the broccoli florets, infusing them with its tangy goodness.
How to Store Leftover Broccoli Salad?
Proper storage is essential for maintaining the freshness and flavor of your leftover broccoli salad. After enjoying your meal, transfer any remaining salad into an airtight container. We highly recommend opting for glass containers as they help preserve the integrity of the ingredients and are environmentally friendly. Once securely sealed, place the container in the refrigerator to stay fresh for 3-5 days. This ensures you can enjoy your broccoli salad for multiple meals without compromising taste or quality.
Can You Freeze Broccoli Salad?
While freezing is a convenient option for many dishes, broccoli salad is not one of them. Attempting to freeze this particular salad can lead to undesirable results. The raw broccoli has a high water content, which causes it to become mushy and lose its crisp texture when thawed. Additionally, the dressing will likely separate, resulting in a less-than-appetizing appearance and flavor. Therefore, it’s best to avoid freezing broccoli salad altogether and instead focus on enjoying it fresh or refrigerated.
Does Broccoli Salad Need to be Refrigerated?
Yes, absolutely. Due to its ingredients, broccoli salad must be refrigerated to maintain its safety and quality. Including mayonnaise in the dressing makes it susceptible to bacterial growth when left at room temperature for an extended period. To ensure food safety, it’s crucial to refrigerate broccoli salad promptly after serving. Leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Therefore, it’s best to err on caution and refrigerate your broccoli salad as soon as possible after enjoying it.
Main Dish Recipes to serve with Broccoli Salad
Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook bacon. Cool and set aside.
- In a bowl combine the sugar, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, salt & pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the broccoli then stir well.
- Add cheese and bacon bits. Refrigerate for a few minutes before serving.