Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
I want to start by saying that I’m a HUGE fan of Chicken Salad Chick! I’m a sucker for a cold sandwich, and chicken salad is the perfect vehicle for so many flavors and textures. I must say that I LOVE their broccoli salad as well. But I know mine is better, and I’ll explain it below. (HA) But for now… I’m excited to show you my Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad and give you another vegetable dish to put on the table that everyone will enjoy!
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What is broccoli salad? It’s a simple but delicious salad made with fresh broccoli florets for your greens, raisins for a touch of sweetness, and sunflower seeds for a much-needed crunch. Then, a deliciously sweet vinegar-based dressing is poured over the top and mixed well. The mayonnaise in the dressing makes it creamy, while the vinegar gives some much-needed acidity and tang! It’s full of flavor and texture and requires no cooking and very little prep. And for some reason, I’ve made it a tradition to always have this perfect side dish at our yearly family gathering – Thanksgiving.
My mom has always loved broccoli salad and would buy it premade at the grocery store instead of making it herself. I’m not going to say that the grocery store version wasn’t good, much like Chicken Salad Chick, but it’s the simple fact that this salad is way too easy to make at home for a fraction of the cost per serving that drives me to give you a recipe. (The frugal side of me can’t take it!)
It’s also because you can change up the ingredients and make variations that you might now be able to buy. For example, some people like it to be a little creamier, while others prefer it to be dry. Some people like raisins, while others opt for dried cranberries. (I think you get my point.)
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So, let’s get to the heart of the matter. What makes my broccoli salad recipe better than the Chicken Salad Chick broccoli salad recipe? Well, there’s 3 things for me:
- I live 40 miles from Chicken Salad Chick, and driving that far to get broccoli salad is not feasible.
- Chicken Salad Chick’s broccoli salad has a GREAT flavor, but I find it a little dry. I prefer a little more creamy dressing and extra crumbled bacon.
- The cost. Making this easy side dish at home is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and requires little time and effort.
Why should we include more broccoli into our diet?
Tips for Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad:
- Don’t skip letting the broccoli salad sit in the fridge overnight to develop flavor. IT’S IMPORTANT!
- Some people like to blanche their broccoli before making the salad. But, every time I’ve done that, it’s resulted in watery broccoli instead of crunchy broccoli and affected the texture and flavor of the dish. I wouldn’t do that.
- You can use any vinegar you have for this recipe: apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, and red wine vinegar are my favorites. I don’t recommend using balsamic vinegar.
- Grate your cheese instead of using store-bought grated cheese. The texture and flavor are so much better.
Make Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad with me on YouTube!
Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Ingredients:
- 1 head of broccoli chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup of raisins
- 1/2 cup crumbled crispy bacon or real bacon bits
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- salt/pepper to taste
Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Instructions:
- First, chop the head of broccoli into smaller pieces and place the raw broccoli florets into a large bowl.
- Second, add the shredded cheese, raisins, bacon, sunflower seeds, mayonaisse, red wine vinegar, and sugar to the bowl with the broccoli and mix well.
- Third, taste your broccoli salad to determine how much salt and pepper you need. (I like to taste first because the sunflower seeds and bacon already have salt.)
- Then, cover the broccoli salad with plastic wrap and let it sit for a couple of hours in the fridge or preferably overnight to develop the most flavor.
- Finally, serve with your favorite dishes!
Storage for Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad:
- Leftover Broccoli salad may be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
What are the Macros for Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad?
Makes 4 Servings (Nutritional information below is for 1 serving = 1 cup)
- Calories – 444
- Protein – 16 grams
- Carbs – 21 grams (net)
- Fat – 32.6 grams
Check out some of my other Thanksgiving recipes!
Cheese Ravioli with Pumpkin Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Easy Cheesy Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with goat cheese, walnuts, and a raspberry vinaigrette
If you try this recipe and love it, please consider giving it 5 STARS.
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Better than Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup of raisins
- 1/2 cup crumbled crispy bacon or real bacon bits
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, chop the head of broccoli into smaller pieces and place the raw broccoli florets into a large bowl.
- Second, add the shredded cheese, raisins, bacon, sunflower seeds, mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and sugar to the bowl with the broccoli and mix well.
- Third, taste your broccoli salad to determine how much salt and pepper you need. (I like to taste first because the sunflower seeds and bacon already have salt.)
- Then, cover the broccoli salad with plastic wrap and let it sit for a couple of hours in the fridge or preferably overnight to develop the most flavor.
- Finally, serve with your favorite dishes!
Video
