Teenager Salad Recipe

This hearty Teenager Salad Recipe is made with crispy chicken strips, savory bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy croutons, and a creamy ranch dressing. The result is a super satisfying, flavorful, and loaded salad that eats like a full meal. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that everyone will actually enjoy and makes enough for 2 large or 4 smaller salads.

Teenager Salad Recipe Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 8 cups romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
• 8 ounces frozen crispy chicken strips or nuggets
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

For the Homemade Ranch Dressing (or use 1 cup of your favorite bottled ranch):

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Topping:

• 1 cup croutons

How To Make The Best Teenager Salad

1. Cook the proteins: Cook the crispy chicken strips according to the package directions (usually in the oven or air fryer). In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy, then drain it on a paper towel-lined plate and crumble it once cooled.
2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
3. Chop the vegetables: While the chicken and bacon are cooking, prepare your vegetables. Wash and chop the romaine lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, and dice the cucumber.
4. Assemble the salads: Divide the chopped romaine lettuce among your serving bowls. Top the lettuce with the cooked chicken (sliced or whole), crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Add toppings and serve: Sprinkle the croutons over the salads. Drizzle with the ranch dressing right before serving and enjoy immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Use Frozen Chicken Strips: For a super quick and easy meal, quality frozen crispy chicken tenders or popcorn chicken are perfect. It saves time and delivers the crunch that makes this salad great.
• Make it Your Own: This salad is a fantastic base for customization. Feel free to add other favorite toppings like corn, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, or crispy fried onions.
• Don’t Dress it Early: To keep everything fresh and crunchy, only add the ranch dressing right before you plan to eat. Dressing the salad too early will make the lettuce and croutons soggy.
• Easy Crispy Bacon: For perfectly crispy bacon without the mess, bake it! Lay the bacon strips on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.

What To Serve With This Salad

This loaded salad is designed to be a complete, satisfying meal all on its own. It has protein, veggies, and plenty of flavor. If you want to add a little something extra, a slice of buttery garlic bread or a simple breadstick on the side is the perfect companion for soaking up any leftover dressing.

How To Store Leftovers

• A dressed salad does not store well. The best way to handle leftovers is to store all the components separately.
• Refrigerate: Keep the chopped lettuce, cooked chicken, bacon, cheese, and dressing in individual airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready for another salad, you can assemble a fresh bowl in minutes.

Teenager Salad Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 780 kcal
• Total Fat: 55g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sodium: 1550mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 32g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 38g

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use grilled chicken instead? Absolutely! For a lighter version of this salad, substitute the crispy chicken with grilled chicken breast. Season it well before grilling and slice it before adding it to the salad.
• What if I don’t have buttermilk for the ranch? No problem. You can make a simple buttermilk substitute by adding half a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to half a cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using it in the recipe.
• Can I pack this salad for lunch? Yes, this is a great salad for a packed lunch. The key is to keep the components separate. Use a container with dividers or pack the dressing, croutons, and other wet ingredients in small, separate containers to add just before eating.
• What other dressings work well? While ranch is a classic choice, this salad is also delicious with honey mustard dressing, Caesar dressing, or even a creamy avocado or barbecue ranch dressing.

Try More Recipes:

• Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
• Ultimate Grilled & Chopped Salad Recipe
• Zipper Bag Caesar Recipe