Southern Chicken Salad with Homemade Ranch

A few weeks ago we went to Iggy’s Sports Grill, a restaurant chain here in Utah, and I ordered their Southern Chicken Salad. I’d been to Iggy’s quite a few times before, but it was the first time I ordered their Southern Chicken Salad. The only reason I hadn’t before is I’m not usually a fan of breaded chicken on my salads. Just…no. Can’t do it. But I asked for grilled chicken in place of the breaded and hoped for the best. Friends, I was so happy I took the plunge. Because the salad was beyond amazing. It was filled with all my favorite veggies and salad goodies and the best part? The candied pecans. Whoa. Why haven’t I ever had them in a salad before? Seriously missed opportunity. They totally made the salad and when I got to the last bite, I was sad that my Southern Chicken Salad adventure was over. So, in that moment, I did what any food blogger would do. I made a list of all the yummy things in the salad and decided I would create my own version at home.

And then I took it one step further. I had Ranch dressing on my salad at Iggy’s and as I thought about Ranch and how meh most bottled Ranch dressing is, I remembered the fresh chives we have growing on the side of my house and had an epiphany. I could make my own HOMEMADE Ranch dressing. Double whoa. In that moment, my Southern Chicken Salad with Homemade Ranch recipe was born. And what a glorious day it was!

This salad is chock full of fresh, crunchy veggies, hard-boiled eggs, and candied pecans and then drizzled with homemade garlic and herb Ranch dressing. It’s a fresh, hearty, and delicious main dish salad that everyone will love. It serves 6 and there’s only 4 of us here. I may have gone back for another helping. And perhaps another….

5.0 from 1 reviews

Southern Chicken Salad with Homemade Ranch

 

Save Print

Prep time

15 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

Author: Erin

Recipe type: Main Dish, Salad

Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients

• RANCH DRESSING:
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• 3 Tbsp sour cream
• 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp fresh chives, diced
• ½ tsp dill
• ½ tsp parsley
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp pepper
• SALAD:
• 1 lb chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 heads romaine lettuce, rinsed and torn
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned)
• 1 cucumber, sliced then halved
• 1 pkg glazed pecans (I used Diamond brand 5.5-oz. package)
• ½ large red onion, slivered and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large tomato, diced (about 1 cup)
• 6 hard-boiled eggs

Instructions

1. Combine all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk thoroughly. Set aside.
2. Divide romaine onto 6 plates. Top each bed of lettuce with remaining salad ingredients. Serve with Ranch dressing.

3.3.3077

For helpful tips on how to make a yummy dressing at home, check out this infographic:

“Shake & Pour” on Health Perch