Bacon Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Salad
This creamy Bacon Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Salad is loaded with tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh jalapeños, and ranch seasoning in a rich, flavorful dressing. Serve it over heirloom tomatoes, on croissants, in lettuce wraps, or with crackers for an easy high-protein lunch, light dinner, or meal prep favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 MINUTES
- Chill Time: 30 MINS
- Cook Time: 15 MINUTES {for bacon}
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6 SERVINGS 1x
- Category: BRUNCH | LIGHT DINNER, Lunch
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low-Carb
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
For Serving
- 3–4 large heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- Ranch dressing for drizzling
- Pickled jalapeño slices
- Extra chopped chives
- Fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the bacon until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and chop into small pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped bacon, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, green onions, and chives.
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Stir until all of the ingredients are evenly coated and well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Arrange sliced heirloom tomatoes on a large white serving platter.
- Spoon the chicken salad down the center of the tomatoes.
- Lightly drizzle with ranch dressing and garnish with pickled jalapeño slices, fresh chives, extra bacon crumbles, and cracked black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe quick and easy.
- Remove the jalapeño seeds for a milder flavor.
- For extra heat, add diced pickled jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Chill before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- Delicious served on croissants, sandwich bread, crackers, lettuce wraps, or stuffed into avocados.
Make It Your Own
- Add diced avocado for extra creaminess.
- Mix in chopped celery for crunch.
- Swap the cheddar for Pepper Jack cheese.
- Stir in chopped dill pickles for extra tang.
- Replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.