If you love salads that feel substantial, colorful, and just a bit luxurious, Country Club Salad is about to become your go-to recipe. Overflowing with tender chicken, crisp lettuce, smoky bacon, fresh veggies, creamy cheese, and your favorite dressing, this classic salad is a feast for both eyes and taste buds. It’s everything a perfect main course salad should be: nourishing, satisfying, and brimming with flavorful crunch and creamy goodness in every forkful. Whether you’re serving this at a brunch, packing it for lunch, or treating yourself to an easy weeknight dinner, the Country Club Salad never fails to deliver a little bit of club-worthy elegance at home.

Country Club Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The true beauty of Country Club Salad lies in its approachable, fresh ingredients—simple staples, each one playing a starring role. With nothing fussy or hard to find, these components come together for a vibrant, effortlessly impressive salad experience.

Iceberg lettuce, chopped: The cool, crisp foundation that keeps every bite refreshing and light.
Cooked chicken breast, diced: Perfect for adding hearty protein—use leftovers or rotisserie to save time.
Bacon, cooked and crumbled: Smoky, savory, and just the right crunch to wake up each bite.
Hard-boiled eggs, chopped: Creamy and rich, they add flavor depth and gorgeous color contrast.
Cherry tomatoes, halved: Juicy pops of sweetness—choose the ripest you can find for best flavor.
Cucumber, diced: Extra crunch and fresh, grassy flavor to balance out the richness.
Red onion, thinly sliced: A bit of zing and a splash of color for flavor layering.
Avocado, diced: Buttery texture and subtle flavor, plus healthy fats for an upgrade.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, creamy element and bold yellow color.
Blue cheese crumbles: Tangy and rich, perfect if you love a little funk in your salad.
Ranch or blue cheese dressing: Creaminess that ties everything together—serve on the side for happy customization.
Fresh chives, chopped: A pop of bright green freshness for that final elegant touch.

How to Make Country Club Salad

Step 1: Prep Your Serving Platter or Bowl

Choose your favorite large platter or a deep, beautiful salad bowl. Something wide and shallow works best for showcasing all those lovely toppings. If you’re serving family-style, a platter lets everyone admire the colorful rows of ingredients before you dig in.

Step 2: Arrange the Lettuce

Scatter the chopped iceberg lettuce evenly across the bottom of your dish. This isn’t just the foundation—it sets the stage for every single topping. Pat the lettuce dry after washing so your salad stays crisp, not soggy.

Step 3: Create Gorgeous Rows of Toppings

Time to get a little artistic! Neatly arrange the chicken breast, crumbled bacon, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red onion, avocado, shredded cheddar, and blue cheese crumbles in generous rows across the top of the lettuce. The “main event” look is part of the magic of a Country Club Salad—half the fun is how stunning it looks!

Step 4: Add Dressing and Chives

Right before serving, drizzle the ranch or blue cheese dressing over the top, or leave it on the side so everyone can dress their own. Don’t forget to shower the whole salad with fresh chopped chives for that subtle oniony brightness and pop of color.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Grab your tongs or a big salad fork and spoon. Either present the Country Club Salad in its beautiful rows, or toss gently just before serving so every bite captures a bit of everything. Watch as even salad skeptics dive right in!

How to Serve Country Club Salad

Garnishes

This salad is already a showstopper, but a few extra touches really make it special. Try a sprinkle of extra chives or a dusting of freshly cracked black pepper. A squeeze of lemon over the top is fantastic if your crowd loves citrus brightness, and a tiny drizzle of olive oil makes all those toppings glisten beautifully.

Side Dishes

Country Club Salad is plenty hearty on its own, but you can pair it with crusty artisan bread, a bowl of warm soup, or even a plate of sweet potato fries for a comforting meal. For a lighter touch, offer some cut fruit or a small cup of sorbet to finish—simple, thoughtful sides that let the salad shine.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve this classic Country Club Salad layered in mason jars for an adorable picnic or lunchbox upgrade, or spoon it onto mini toasts as impressive party appetizers. Individual platter servings, lined up in vibrant color blocks, make a stunning brunch or shower centerpiece. Elevate your presentation with edible flowers for a touch of edible elegance!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. The Country Club Salad keeps well for about a day, but for best texture, store the dressing separately so the greens don’t lose their crunch. Mix just before serving each time for freshness.

Freezing

This is one salad that just doesn’t love the freezer. Most of the fresh veggies and creamy ingredients don’t thaw very well and can become watery or mushy. Enjoy your Country Club Salad within a day or two of preparation for that perfect texture and taste.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t necessary (or recommended) for a fresh salad like this! Simply bring your leftovers to room temperature for about 10 minutes before eating, especially if you want the chicken and bacon to have a bit more flavor and tenderness.

FAQs

Can I swap out the chicken for another protein?

Absolutely! Feel free to use turkey, ham, grilled shrimp, or even roasted tofu for a different spin—all would be delicious and keep your Country Club Salad protein-packed.

What’s the best way to cook the bacon for this salad?

Baking bacon on a sheet pan in the oven yields crispy, evenly cooked strips without the splatter. Once cooled, crumble over your salad for irresistible crunch and smoky flavor.

Can I use a different type Salad, Main Course

Of course! Romaine, butter lettuce, or even a spring mix work beautifully. Just be sure to choose a variety with plenty of crispness so your Country Club Salad stays light and satisfying.

How far ahead can I prep the ingredients?

You can chop all ingredients—except the avocado—a day ahead and store each separately in containers. Dice the avocado and assemble everything just before serving for the freshest, prettiest presentation.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, Country Club Salad is naturally gluten-free, as long as your bacon and dressings are certified gluten-free. It’s also nut-free, making it a safe option for most guests with allergies.

Final Thoughts

If ever a salad could make you feel both pampered and well fed, Country Club Salad is it. It’s colorful, lively, and a genuine crowd-pleaser—perfect for sharing with loved ones. Gather your ingredients and give it a try; one bite and you’ll see why this classic is a staple in clubhouses and home kitchens alike!

Country Club Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A hearty and satisfying Country Club Salad featuring a colorful array of fresh ingredients like lettuce, chicken, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, and cheeses, all drizzled with a creamy dressing. This salad is a delicious main course option perfect for a light yet filling meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Lettuce:

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped

Proteins:

2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Veggies:

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 avocado, diced

Cheeses and Dressing:

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/2 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing

Garnish:

2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

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Instructions

Arrange Lettuce: Evenly spread the chopped lettuce on a large platter or in a salad bowl.
Add Ingredients: Top the lettuce with rows of chicken, bacon, eggs, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, cheddar, and blue cheese.
Drizzle Dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the salad with dressing or serve the dressing on the side.
Garnish: Sprinkle the salad with chopped chives for a finishing touch.

Notes

This salad can be prepared in advance by chopping ingredients ahead of time and assembling just before serving.
Substitute turkey or ham for the chicken if preferred.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad, Main Course
Method: No-Cook, Assembly
Cuisine: American