Apple Bacon Salad
A vibrant salad combining crispy bacon, fresh apples, green beans, broccoli, and flavorful chicken, tossed with a tangy orange soy dressing, perfect for a light, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. bacon ⓘ
- 1 head romaine, torn into pieces ⓘ
- 3 red apples ⓘ
- 2/3 c. garlic oil ⓘ
- 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 bunch scallions, trimmed and sliced ⓘ
- 1 c. croutons ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. quick-cooking brown rice ⓘ
- 1 c. sliced green beans ⓘ
- 2 c. tiny broccoli florets ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove, pressed ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) whole boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in 1/4-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1/4 c. reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp. grated orange zest ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. orange juice
- 1 tsp. honey ⓘ
- 2 medium carrots, shredded
- 1/2 c. chopped red pepper ⓘ
- 2 green onions, sliced ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare rice according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Add green beans and cook for 2 minutes over high heat.
- Add broccoli and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until vegetables are tender crisp.
- Drain and rinse vegetables under cold water.
- In a medium skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add pressed garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken pieces and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes until no longer pink.
- Remove from heat and add soy sauce, orange zest, orange juice, and honey; toss to coat chicken.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, broccoli, green beans, and chicken mixture.
- Stir in shredded carrots, chopped red pepper, and sliced green onions; toss to coat.
- Cook bacon until crispy, then drain and chop into pieces.
- Add torn romaine and sliced apples to the salad.
- Add bacon and Parmesan cheese; toss gently.
- Serve the salad warm or at room temperature.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using turkey bacon instead of traditional bacon. You can swap the garlic oil with olive oil or a flavored oil of your choice. If you're short on time, pre-cooked chicken can be a great substitute for the raw chicken. Make sure to adjust the soy sauce quantity as pre-cooked chicken may be seasoned.
Serving Suggestions
This Apple Bacon Salad is perfect as a light main dish or served alongside grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Oven-Fried Chicken for a delightful dinner. For a more filling option, serve with crusty bread or a side of roasted vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm the chicken and rice mixture in a microwave or skillet, then toss with fresh ingredients before serving. Avoid reheating the entire salad, as the greens can wilt.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Apple Bacon Salad contains roughly 1167 calories, with 30g protein, 189g carbohydrates, and 37g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (176% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (133% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components separately and assemble the salad just before serving. This will keep the greens fresh and crisp. Store the chicken, rice, and vegetables in the fridge, and add the apples and bacon right before serving to maintain their texture.
What can I use instead of Parmesan cheese?
If you're looking for a dairy-free option, nutritional yeast can provide a cheesy flavor without the dairy. Alternatively, any hard cheese like Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano can be used as a substitute for Parmesan.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make this salad vegetarian, simply omit the bacon and chicken. You can add extra vegetables, chickpeas, or beans for protein. Additionally, consider using a vegetarian-friendly dressing to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).