This copycat Chicken Salad Chick broccoli salad recipe is one for the books! Fresh, crunchy broccoli and crispy bacon are the perfect pair for the flavorful mayo dressing and shredded cheese. What's even better is you can make this recipe in 10 minutes!
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I Love This Broccoli Salad Recipe
If you've ever eaten at any of the incredible Chicken Salad Chick locations you'll know the popular Southern chain has some of the most delicious salad combinations around. The Chicken Salad Chick classic Carol and broccoli salad are my personal favorites, and since I've already made a copycat recipe for the classic Carol, I had to make one for the creamy broccoli salad!
I'm biased, of course, but I think I nailed this recipe. The combination of crunchy broccoli, savory smokey bacon, and creamy mayo dressing is so satisfying and perfect for any occasion. I love serving it at summertime picnics, barbecues, and cookouts.
It's also great if you need a healthy side dish for summer or something to bring over to a friend's house. Oh, and you'll also love that it's easy to make ahead of time and tastes delicious chilled in the fridge, so it's a convenient dish to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
- Sugar- white, granulated sugar is perfect in this dish. It adds a great sweetness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- my favorite vinegar, the cider finish pairs perfectly with the broccoli.
- Mayonnaise- I use a full fat, full flavor mayo when I make this broccoli salad recipe.
- Broccoli- fresh broccoli, chopped into bit sized pieces.
- Cheese- grated mozzarella and cheddar cheeses are great options for this dish.
- Bacon Bits- deliciously smokey, Bacon Bits are an easy way to get that great bacon flavor.
- Salt and pepper- kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper to taste.
How to make Chicken salad chick broccoli salad
Step 1: Combine the sugar and vinegar. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the sugar and the apple cider vinegar. Give the ingredients a quick whisk until they full combine together.
Step 2: Add the mayonnaise. In the mixing bowl with the sugar and vinegar mixture, stir in the mayonnaise and whisk everything together. You'll want to make sure you whisk the ingredients until they make a smooth sauce.
Step 3: Add the broccoli. Now to the mixing bowl with the mayonnaise sauce, add the chopped broccoli florets. Toss the broccoli florets in the sauce until the florets are evenly coated.
Step 4: Top the salad. Add the shredded cheese and bacon bits to the broccoli salad. Taste and then season it with as much kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper as you want. Then refrigerate the salad until you're ready to serve it. Enjoy!
Expert Tips For Making This Recipe
- When you're chopping your broccoli for the salad, make sure to keep the florets bite-sized. They're much easier to eat than large pieces.
- If you don't have apple cider vinegar, you can use white or red wine vinegar without losing much of the flavor.
- If you'd prefer to leave the sugar out, you can. Just know it may taste a bit vinegar forward without it. Opt for honey in place of white sugar if you'd like.
- If you have the time, fry some bacon in a pan for a fresher flavor.
- I definitely recommend refrigerating the salad overnight so the flavors can all meld together, making for the best broccoli bacon salad.
How To Store Leftovers
The best way to keep any leftovers fresh is in the refrigerator. Simply cover the mixing bowl with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or a lid and place it in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy it. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Broccoli Salad Recipe FAQS
How long can this chicken salad chick broccoli salad sit out at room temperature?
As a rule, mayo-based salads should only be left out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. This broccoli salad is no exception, so if you don't eat it within that time, toss it back in the fridge.
Are there any additions I can use in this chicken salad chick broccoli salad recipe?
Yes! You can add dried cranberries, chopped celery and carrots, cayenne pepper for a bit of heat, and additional seasonings like garlic or onion powder. Experiment a bit and see what you like!
What can I serve this chicken salad chick broccoli salad with?
I love serving this cold salad alongside meats off of the grill at cookouts or summertime suppers. Try it with things like BBQ chicken drumsticks, boneless ribs, or a Krabby Patty.
More Copycat Recipes To Try Next
- Panera souffle
- Southwest chicken salad
- Arby's roast beef
- Chick-Fil-A grilled chicken sandwich
- Popeyes fried chicken sandwich
Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Recipe
This copycat Chicken Salad Chick broccoli salad recipe is one for the books! Fresh, crunchy broccoli and crispy bacon are the perfect pair for the flavorful mayo dressing and shredded cheese. What's even better is you can make this recipe in 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- ½ cup grated cheddar
- ¼ cup mozzarella, grated
- ¼ cup bacon bits
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the sugar and apple cider vinegar.
- Stir in the mayonnaise and whisk together. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the broccoli, then stir well.
- Add cheese and bacon bits. Refrigerate for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 5.5gSaturated Fat: 1.6gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 254mgCarbohydrates: 46.3gProtein: 6.4g
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