Description
Discover the vibrant flavors of the Copycat Portillo’s Chopped Salad Recipe, a delightful dish that brings the essence of a popular restaurant right to your kitchen. This colorful salad features a mix of fresh greens, crunchy vegetables, savory chicken, and crispy bacon all tossed in a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or potlucks, it balances healthiness with heartiness, ensuring every bite is satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head of Romaine lettuce, chopped (about 6–8 cups)
- 1/2 small head of Iceberg lettuce, chopped (about 3–4 cups) OR 2 cups shredded red cabbage for color and crunch (or a mix)
- 1 cup dry Ditalini pasta (cooks to about 2 cups)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total), cooked and diced
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 2–3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced (about 1 cup)
- 3/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese (or blue cheese if preferred)
- 4–5 green onions (scallions), thinly sliced (both white and green parts)
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion (optional)
- 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook ditalini pasta until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with olive oil.
- Prepare chicken by grilling, pan-searing, poaching, or using rotisserie chicken; then dice.
- Cook bacon until crispy and crumble.
- Chop lettuce and prepare vegetables (tomatoes, green onions).
- Make dressing by whisking together olive oil, vinegar, sugar, mustard, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together; dress lightly or serve on the side.
- Enjoy immediately for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad (about 300g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg