Go Back Email Link
+ servings
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

California Club Chopped Salad

The familiar flavors of a California club in salad form! This dish features juicy and tender turkey or chicken breast, crispy and salty bacon, crispy and salty pickle, sweet and acidic cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, red onion, green onion, and Napa cabbage. A vinaigrette made from the rendered bacon fat and some leftover pickle juice along with mustard makes for an easy and delicious dressing.
Course Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword american, avocado, bacon, Chicken, dairy-free, dinner, egg-free, lunch, main, nightshade-free, nut-free, salad, turkey
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 677kcal
Author Jenny Ross

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 pound bacon sliced
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast or turkey breast,
  • 1/2 head Napa cabbage chopped fine
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 1/2 pound jack cheese cut into 1/4-inch cubes, optional, ,omit for dairy-free
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes quartered, optional, omit for nightshade-free
  • 1/4 red onion diced fine
  • 2 large dill pickles diced fine

Dressing

  • rendered bacon fat
  • 1/3 cup pickle juice
  • 1 small shallot roots removed and peeled
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1 small pinch cayenne optional, omit for nightshade-free

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon in a large pan over medium-high heat until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp, stirring occasionally. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat into a bowl and set aside.
  • Pound the chicken to and even 1/4 inch thickness between two pieces of plastic wrap (this is key to getting it to cook evenly and for a juicy finish). I often use a rolling pin or large bottle in this task. Add the chicken to the pan with the bacon grease and cook in a single layer and cook for 2-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Let rest 5 minutes and then dice into 1/4-inch cubes, set aside.
  • Add the reserved bacon fat and remaining dressing ingredients to a blender and blend until completely smooth and emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste with more pickle juice, if desired. Set aside.
  • Add the cabbage, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, onion, pickles, and chicken to a large bowl. Pour over the dressing and toss gently to coat evenly. Sprinkle the bacon on top and serve.

Notes

Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 0.55
Nutrition without cheese: Calories: 536 cal, Carbs: 12g, Fiber: 4g, Fat: 38g, Protein: 36g, Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 0.57
Nutrition without nightshades: Calories: 663 cal, Carbs: 9g, Fiber: 4g, Fat: 50g, Protein: 45g, Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 0.56

Nutrition

Calories: 677kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 1259mg | Potassium: 1159mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1066IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 377mg | Iron: 2mg