Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe

Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad is the kind of meal I wish I could bottle up and serve all year long—bright, colorful, and bursting with flavor and texture! Juicy rotisserie chicken, sweet grilled corn, creamy avocado, tangy pickled onions, chewy medjool dates, and a shower of crumbled goat cheese all come together on a bed of tender greens, drizzled with a luscious hot bacon dressing. It’s the ultimate balance of comfort food and fresh farmer’s market bounty in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad comes from its simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one brings its own personality, whether that’s crunch, sweetness, or a pop of color—don’t skip a thing! Here’s what makes this salad sing:

• 2 ears of corn, grilled: Sweet, juicy kernels with a whisper of smoky char—fresh summer sunshine in every bite. Grilled corn truly sets this apart.
• 12 to 16 ounces spring greens: Tender, mixed greens serve as a fresh and fluffy bed for all the good stuff—go as light or as generous as you like.
• 1 rotisserie chicken, meat pulled and chopped: Juicy, already-cooked chicken is the speedy shortcut that turns this into a meal-worthy salad.
• 1 avocado, thinly sliced: Buttery avocado lends decadent creaminess and gorgeous green color.
• 6 medjool dates, pitted and chopped: Sweet and chewy, chopped dates add delightful pops of sticky-sweet flavor—nature’s little caramels.
• 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled: Tangy, creamy goat cheese melts into the warm bacon dressing for luscious richness.
• ¼ cup pickled onions: Bright and zingy, pickled onions add acidity and color—a must for balance.
• ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted, if you wish: A quick toast brings out their nuttiness and adds edge-of-the-fork crunch.
• Hot bacon dressing (see below): Smoky, tangy, warm, and sweet. This is that “holy cow, what IS this?” salad moment.
• 3 slices bacon: Salty and crisp, these make the foundation (and the bacon bits) for the star-of-the-show dressing.
• 3 tablespoons bacon fat: Don’t fear the flavor—this is the secret to that luscious, warm vinaigrette!
• 1 garlic clove, minced: Adds a little aromatic punch to the dressing.
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar: For acidity and brightness that balance out all the richness.
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar: Brown sugar offers a gentle sweetness that makes the dressing irresistible.
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard: Dijon brings a mellow tang and classic salad dressing backbone.
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper: Freshly cracked is the way to go for a gentle kick.
• 1/8 teaspoon salt: Just enough to pull everything together.

Variations

Don’t be afraid to shake things up with Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad! This recipe is endlessly customizable, so feel free to riff based on what ingredients you have, your dietary needs, or plain-old cravings. Here are some delicious ideas to get you started:

• No Dairy: Omit the goat cheese or swap in a vegan cashew cheese for a totally dairy-free version that’s still creamy and satisfying.
• Vegetarian Twist: Skip the chicken and bacon, and double up on grilled veggies and roasted chickpeas for hearty protein and crunch.
• Different Nuts or Seeds: Swap the almonds for pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds—whatever adds your favorite crunch.
• Fruit-Forward: Try diced apples, grapes, or even dried cranberries instead of (or in addition to) dates for a subtly different sweetness.
• Change Up the Greens: Use crisp romaine, kale, or arugula for a different texture and flavor base.
• Spicy Addition: Add a sliced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce if you want a little heat under all that savory-sweet goodness.

How to Make Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prep the Pickled Onions and Corn

If you’re making your own pickled onions (highly recommended!), start the night before or at least an hour in advance so they have time to soften and develop flavor. Grill the corn until charred and smoky, then let it cool slightly before cutting off the kernels. If you’re pressed for time, leftover grilled corn or even thawed frozen corn works just fine!

Step 2: Whip Up the Hot Bacon Dressing

Fry the bacon in a skillet until it’s crispy, then reserve those delicious drippings. Add the bacon fat, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard to a saucepan and whisk together over medium-low heat. Let the sugar dissolve and the dressing emulsify until silky and slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper, then crumble in the cooked bacon just before serving. Keep the dressing warm on low heat or reheat gently when ready to eat.

Step 3: Chop and Measure Everything

This is your moment to get organized! Pull and chop the rotisserie chicken, slice the avocado, pit and chop the dates, and crumble the goat cheese. Toast the sliced almonds for extra depth (totally worth it). If you haven’t already, cut the kernels off your grilled corn cobs. Arrange everything within reach—assembly goes lightning-fast from here.

Step 4: Toss and Assemble

In a big bowl, toss your spring greens with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Add the chopped chicken, grilled corn, dates, goat cheese, pickled onions, and toasted almonds over the top. Save the avocado for last—it loves the spotlight!

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Right before serving, nestle avocado slices on the salad. Generously drizzle the hot bacon dressing over everything (warm dressing melts some goat cheese and brings the salad to life!). Devour immediately and swoon over every contrasting bite. Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad never disappoints.

How to Serve Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Garnishes

A finishing touch goes a long way! Sprinkle a little extra crumbled goat cheese, a few more toasted almonds, or a handful of fresh herbs like parsley or chives to add freshness, color, and a pop of flavor. If you’re feeling bold, a dusting of black pepper or a squeeze of lemon over the top ties everything together beautifully!

Side Dishes

Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad is hearty enough to fly solo, but it truly shines alongside a crusty baguette, some homemade cornbread, or a cup of summer soup (gazpacho, anyone?). For a party, serve it with a platter of fresh seasonal fruit or simple grilled veggies for a well-rounded feast.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn this salad into elegant little lettuce cups for a springtime brunch, or pile generously onto toasted sourdough for a hearty open-faced sandwich. You can even layer it into a mason jar (dressing on the bottom!) for the world’s happiest desk lunch. However you present it, Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad is always a showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover assembled salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, but for best texture, keep the greens, chicken, chopped toppings, and dressing in separate containers. Quickly toss them together just before eating for the freshest experience!

Freezing

Salads don’t freeze well, but you can freeze pulled rotisserie chicken and even the bacon fat for the dressing to speed up meal prep later on. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and assemble with fresh veggies and toppings on the day you plan to enjoy.

Reheating

The salad itself tastes best cold or at room temperature, but the hot bacon dressing really comes alive when gently reheated. Warm it in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking until smooth and pourable, then drizzle over your freshly arranged salad.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to fall in love with salad all over again, make Our Favorite Rotisserie Chicken Salad your next kitchen adventure. Packed with flavor, color, and satisfying crunch, it has a little something for everyone at the table. Gather your favorite ingredients, pour a generous spoonful of that irresistible hot bacon dressing, and watch this easy meal become a new staple in your heart and home!

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