Meal-In-One Salad
A hearty, flavorful layered salad combining tender chicken, crisp bacon, fresh vegetables, and creamy dressings, perfect for entertaining or family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 head lettuce
- 2 cups cooked chicken breasts ⓘ
- 1 small box frozen English peas ⓘ
- 1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained ⓘ
- 1/2 pound bacon, fried crisp and crumbled ⓘ
- 3 green onions, chopped fine ⓘ
- 1/2 bell pepper, chopped fine ⓘ
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- 8 oz grated Swiss cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Break lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
- Cut cooked chicken into small pieces.
- Layer lettuce, chicken, frozen peas (thawed), drained water chestnuts, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, and chopped bell pepper in a 9 x 13-inch pan in the given order.
- Mix mayonnaise, Miracle Whip salad dressing, and sugar together.
- Spread the dressing mixture over the layered ingredients to seal.
- Spread grated Swiss cheese over the dressing.
- Refrigerate the salad. It can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill to the dressing. If you don't have Swiss cheese, you can substitute with Gruyère or mozzarella. For a healthier twist, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or Miracle Whip. Make sure to thaw and drain the peas well to prevent excess moisture in the salad.
Serving Suggestions
This Meal-In-One Salad is perfect for potlucks or family gatherings. Serve it alongside crusty bread or pair it with a light soup for a complete meal. It also goes well with Chicken Yellow Rice for a more filling dinner. Garnish with extra green onions or a sprinkle of paprika for added color and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad is best enjoyed cold, so no reheating is necessary. If the salad sits for too long, the lettuce may become soggy, so it's best to consume it within a day if possible.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Meal-In-One Salad contains roughly 318 calories, with 10g protein, 14g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (51% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (27% of the Daily Value), and protein (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 542mg per serving (24% 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 use leftover rotisserie chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Using leftover rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds a delicious flavor to the salad. Just shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and layer it as instructed. This can help make the prep even quicker and easier.
Is there a vegetarian version of this salad?
Yes! You can easily make this salad vegetarian by omitting the chicken and bacon. Replace the chicken with chickpeas or tofu for protein, and consider adding other vegetables like diced cucumbers or cherry tomatoes for added texture and flavor. The dressing will still provide a creamy base.
How can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the salad a day in advance. Layer all the ingredients in the dish as per the recipe, but hold off on adding the dressing and cheese until just before serving. This will keep the lettuce fresh and prevent it from wilting. Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
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).