This Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Chopped Salad is tossed with a simple red wine vinaigrette, and always tastes so fresh and delicious.

I’m starting to believe that there are few things more wonderful in life than having the windows open.
Ever since the weather has warmed up these past few weeks, I’ve had a fresh breeze blowing through my house pretty much 24/7, and I’m convinced that it makes every single moment of the day all the more delightful. From getting out of bed in the morning, to trying to stay focused on work during the afternoon, to making dinner and doing dishes and hanging out in the evening, to falling fast asleep at night — there’s something about having fresh air fill the house again that just makes everything just feel noticeably more peaceful and lovely.
Spring, I’m so happy you’re back to stay.
This warmer season also has me craving all sorts of light and fresh meals. And the other day, I returned to a nostalgic favorite green salad of mine that I thought was worth sharing here again. It’s loaded up with so many of my faves — creamy avocado, tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh greens, tangy blue cheese, ripe tomatoes, all tossed together with a simple red wine vinaigrette. It’s a fresh, flavorful, hearty entrée salad that I first shared here on the blog nearly a decade ago yet still love just as much to this day. So if you have yet to give it a try, I highly recommend it!





Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Chopped Salad

Ingredients
Salad Ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and diced
- 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 head of Romaine lettuce (about 8 ounces), chopped
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 pound (about 2-3 cups) diced cooked chicken
- half a small red onion, very thinly sliced
Red Wine Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- pinch of fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Make the vinaigrette. Vigorously whisk all ingredients together in a mixing bowl (or shake together in a sealed jar) until completely emulsified.
- Toss the salad. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle evenly with the vinaigrette, and toss gently to combine.
- Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy!




I meant blue not cottage
Looks super scrumptious! Perfect salad for the new year! :)
Excellent for lunch or dinner! btw, I really love your pictures, thank you for sharing <3
Just made this for dinner tonight and it was excellent! I was hesitant on the dressing because when I tested it first, it tasted bitter. But after adding it to the salad it was great! Thanks!
So this salad was amazing! I changed out the blue cheese and added feta (because I am not a huge fan), but I LOVED it!
Mmmmm…this DOES sound heavenly. I think I just found tonight’s dinner. Thanks!
Kelly
I saw this pin on pinterest and as soon as I saw the picture I thought, “OMG! That looks JUST like Martinellis chop salad!” When I linked to your blog and read that it was inspired by just that I was so excited to try making it myself. Thanks so much for posting!
Glad you enjoyed your martinellis experience…..that is how we roll here ;)
I made this and it was amazing!!! thanks so much!
I made this tonight and the dressing is fantastic. I think it enhances the blue cheese. Much better than store dressings!