If you love the Sassy Scotty Chicken Salad from Chicken Salad Chick, I’ve got the perfect copycat recipe for you! This recipe is made with bacon bits, rotisserie chicken, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing and comes together for an absolutely addicting chicken salad! It’s super easy to make, affordable, and delicious. It’s not your average chicken salad recipe!
You really can’t go wrong with a classic chicken salad recipe, but the flavors in this version are next level! I love to make this at the beginning of the week and have it for lunch and quick dinners during the summertime. It’s refreshing and filling, too.
Sassy Scotty Chicken Salad
If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant, you are missing out! It’s a casual little spot that serves up delicious variations of pimento cheese, chicken salad, and a few other delicious side dishes (grape salad is my favorite!).
It’s a great place to grab a few items to go or have a quick bite to eat with a friend. The flavors are named with quirky little titles, like this Sassy Scotty recipe, made with bacon, cheddar, and ranch flavors. It’s probably my favorite flavor they offer.
Other flavors include Classic Carol, which is your typical chicken salad recipe. Fancy Nancy incorporates fruits and nuts. Buffalo Barclay is the buffalo version. The list goes on!
Knowing how to make a great chicken salad is part of Southern tradition. It’s also the perfect dish to take to a potluck or to make for quick sandwiches by the pool. I even like to snack on this with crackers, too!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Simplicity: With only a few basic ingredients, including cooked shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, bacon crumbles, and ranch dressing, this recipe is simple but packed with flavor.
- Budget-Friendly: Utilizing basic pantry staples and affordable ingredients, this recipe proves that delicious meals don’t have to break the bank.
- Texture & Flavor: The combination of tender chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing creates a savory blend of textures and flavors that make this chicken salad crave-able!
- Quick Preparation: With straightforward steps and no-fuss techniques, you can whip up this salad in no time, making it a convenient option.
- Versatile: Serve a scoop of chicken salad as a dip with crackers, on a croissant, or on a bed of fresh greens for a light and satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: I use a store bought rotisserie chicken for convenience, but you can also use poached chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins, or canned chicken.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor and creamy texture. I prefer to shred my own cheese, but pre shredded cheese will work just fine.
- Bacon Crumbles: Feel free to swap bacon bits for strips of bacon. Just make sure you get the real bacon bits and not artificial products.
- Ranch Dressing and Mayonnaise: For the mayo haters, there’s zero mayonnaise flavor in this chicken salad recipe. The mayo and ranch packet make a delicious binder for the rest of the ingredients and add additional flavor. I will say that Duke’s Mayonnaise is a favorite!
How to Make Sassy Scotty Chicken Salad
Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Bacon
To start, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, and chop the bacon slices. As mentioned above, you can also use a store-bought rotisserie chicken and pre-made bacon bits as shortcuts.
Alternatively, you can also poach your own chicken. It’s a super easy process and only takes a few minutes!
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
To make the dressing, stir together the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
Next, add the shredded chicken, celery, green onion, cheddar cheese, and bacon to the same bowl and stir to combine.
Chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve! To enjoy this just like the Chicken Salad Chick restaurant, serve on a croissant.
Tips
- Reserve some bacon crumbles and green onion for garnish.
- For a spicy kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes into the salad mixture.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties such as pepper jack or Swiss for unique flavor combinations.
What to Serve with Chicken Salad
Pair this Sassy Scotty Chicken Salad with freshly baked croissants or toasted whole grain bread for a satisfying meal. For a lighter option, serve on a bed of lettuce drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
Here are a few ideas for side dishes:
- Potato Salad
- Egg Salad – have a salad duo for lunch!
- Potato Chips
- A cup of vegetable soup
- Broccoli Salad
- Grape Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken saves time and adds an extra depth of flavor to the salad.
Stored in an airtight container, the chicken salad will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
While technically possible, freezing may alter the texture of the salad, particularly the fresh vegetables and dressing.
Pair the salad with a side of fresh fruit, kettle chips, or a cup of creamy tomato soup for a well-rounded meal.
Storing Tips
Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days for optimal freshness. Freezing is not recommended as it may compromise the texture of the salad.
Sassy Scotty Chicken Salad Chick Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken
- ¼ cup celery finely chopped, about 2 large ribs
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons ranch dressing use your favorite bottled ranch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons green onion finely chopped (about 2 green onions)
- 1 cup crumbled bacon about 6-8 slices
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
Instructions
- Shred the cooked chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken. If you are preparing the chicken fresh, set aside to cool.
- Chop 6-8 pieces of bacon and add to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until all the crumbles are crispy and brown, about 8-10 minutes.
- To a large bowl, add the mayonnaise, ranch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Add the cooled chicken, chopped celery, green onion, bacon, and cheese to the bowl of the mayonnaise mixture. Stir until well-combined.
- Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Serve on a croissant, bed of greens, or sandwich bread!
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