The Best Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Copycat Recipe

Q: What dressing is on Chicken Salad Chick broccoli salad?

The dressing on Chicken Salad Chick's broccoli salad is a simple yet delicious sweet and tangy mixture. It's a mayonnaise-based dressing made with sugar for sweetness and apple cider vinegar for a tangy kick. Our copycat recipe uses ¾ cup of mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to replicate this signature flavor.

Q: How many calories are in broccoli salad at Chicken Salad Chick?

According to nutrition information available online, a standard 4oz serving of Chicken Salad Chick's broccoli salad contains approximately 170 calories. Our homemade copycat recipe's nutritional value may vary slightly based on the specific ingredients you use.

Q: Can I make this broccoli salad ahead of time?

Yes, this is an excellent make-ahead salad! In fact, the flavor often improves after it has had time to chill and meld in the refrigerator. You can easily make it up to 24 hours in advance. For the best texture, we recommend waiting to add the crumbled bacon until just before serving to ensure it stays as crispy as possible.

Have you ever finished a delicious meal at Chicken Salad Chick and thought, “I wish I could make that incredible broccoli salad at home”? You’re not alone. That side dish is the perfect blend of crunchy, creamy, sweet, and savory—it’s downright addictive and a fan favorite for a reason.

Trying to recreate a beloved restaurant recipe can be frustrating. Many online “copycat” versions miss the mark. They might be too sweet, not creamy enough, or lack that signature crunch. You end up wasting time and ingredients on a salad that’s just a pale imitation of the real thing, leaving you disappointed and still craving that perfect flavor.

Here’s the great news: This copycat Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad recipe is a spot-on match that perfectly captures the authentic taste and texture. It features fresh, crunchy broccoli florets, crispy bacon, and a delicious blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, all tossed in a perfectly sweet and tangy mayonnaise-based dressing. It’s the ultimate side dish you can now make anytime for a potluck, family dinner, or just to satisfy a craving.

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Craving That Famous Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad? Here’s the Secret

The secret to a perfect copycat Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad is the dressing’s precise balance and using fresh, finely chopped ingredients. This updated 2025 recipe nails the creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory notes by combining full-fat mayonnaise with just the right amount of sugar and apple cider vinegar, ensuring every bite tastes just like the original.

Let’s be honest, that broccoli salad is more than just a side dish; it’s an experience. It’s the perfect counterpoint to their savory chicken salads. For years, I was on a mission to replicate it at home. After countless attempts—adjusting the mayo-to-sugar ratio, testing different kinds of cheese, and perfecting the chop size of the broccoli—I’ve finally landed on a recipe that I can confidently say is as close to the real deal as you can get. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s the result of dedicated (and delicious) testing.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Recipe

You will love this recipe because it’s not only incredibly easy to make but also tastes authentically delicious. It delivers the restaurant-quality flavor you’re craving with simple, accessible ingredients and minimal effort, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Here’s why this recipe will become your new go-to side dish:

Tastes Just Like the Real Deal: We’ve cracked the code on the sweet and tangy dressing. The balance of flavors is so spot-on, you’ll feel like you just picked it up from the restaurant.
Simple, Everyday Ingredients: There’s nothing fancy here. You can find everything you need—fresh broccoli, bacon, cheese, mayo, sugar, and vinegar—at any grocery store.
Ready in Under 20 Minutes: From chopping the broccoli to whisking the dressing, this entire salad comes together in a flash. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill!
The Perfect Make-Ahead Dish: This salad is actually better after it sits for a couple of hours, making it the ideal stress-free side for parties, BBQs, and potlucks. The flavors get a chance to meld together beautifully.

The Perfect Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad in 4 Simple Steps

You can make an authentic Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad by whisking the dressing, combining it with chopped broccoli, cheese, and bacon, and then chilling it. The process is straightforward and foolproof, designed to give you that signature creamy and crunchy texture every single time. We’ll walk you through each step, but you can find the full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for easy reference.

Here’s the deal: making this salad is so much easier than you think. Don’t be intimidated! We’re breaking it down into four simple, manageable stages.

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🥦🥦 Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Recipe is a delicious side dish! This boccoli salad recipe is simple to make and peefect for BBQ’s, potlucks, holidays, and more. #broccolisalad #chickensaladchick #sidedish #potluckideas #broccoli

♬ original sound – foodlovinfamily

1. Gather Your Ingredients & Tools

To start, you will need fresh broccoli, shredded cheeses, cooked bacon, mayonnaise, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Having all your ingredients prepped and ready to go—a concept known in cooking as mise en place—makes the assembly process smooth and quick.

Here’s exactly what you’ll need:

Ingredients for the Salad:

3 ½ – 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
¼ cup mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon

Ingredients for the Dressing:

¾ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s is highly recommended for its signature tang)
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Essential Kitchen Tools:

Large mixing bowl
Small bowl for dressing
Whisk
Sharp knife and cutting board
Cheese grater

Pro-Tip: Using freshly grated cheese from a block is a game-changer. It melts into the dressing better and avoids the anti-caking agents and waxy texture found in pre-shredded bags. This small step makes a huge difference in creaminess.

Pin this ingredient list for your next grocery run!

2. Whisk the Signature Sweet & Tangy Dressing

To make the dressing, simply combine the mayonnaise, sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a bowl and whisk vigorously. The goal is to continue whisking until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy.

Here’s the step-by-step:

In a small or medium-sized bowl, combine the ¾ cup of mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
Whisk vigorously for about a minute. You want to ensure the sugar isn’t gritty. The dressing should be completely smooth.
Season with a small pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper, then whisk again. Give it a quick taste—this is your chance to adjust if you prefer it slightly sweeter or tangier.

Lesson Learned: Don’t skip whisking until it’s smooth! The first time I made this, I was impatient and ended up with a slightly grainy texture in the final salad because the sugar hadn’t fully dissolved. A good, thorough whisk is crucial for that signature silky-smooth dressing.

Love easy dressing recipes? Save this one!

3. Combine the Salad Ingredients

To assemble the salad, you will combine the chopped broccoli and cheeses in a large bowl, pour the dressing over top, and stir until everything is well-coated. The final step is to gently fold in the crumbled bacon.

Follow these simple instructions:

In your large mixing bowl, add the chopped broccoli florets, the freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, and the grated mozzarella cheese.
Pour the prepared sweet and tangy dressing over the broccoli and cheese mixture.
Using a spatula or large spoon, stir everything together until the broccoli and cheese are evenly and generously coated in the dressing.
Gently fold in the crumbled bacon. If you’re a stickler for super crispy bacon, you can reserve half to sprinkle on top just before serving!

Pro-Tip: Make sure your broccoli is chopped into small, bite-sized pieces. This is key to the authentic Chicken Salad Chick experience. It ensures you get a perfect combination of broccoli, cheese, bacon, and dressing in every single bite, rather than just a huge chunk of broccoli.

See how easy that is? Try it yourself!

4. Chill for Maximum Flavor

The final and most important step is to cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least one hour before serving. This chilling period is essential for allowing the flavors to meld together and for the broccoli to soften slightly while still remaining perfectly crunchy.

Here’s how to nail the final step:

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Honestly, for the absolute best results, I recommend chilling it for 2-4 hours, or even making it the night before.
This crucial resting time allows the magic to happen. The dressing infuses the broccoli, and the flavors of the bacon and cheese marry with the sweet tanginess of the sauce.

From experience, letting it sit for at least two hours is the sweet spot. The broccoli absorbs that delicious dressing beautifully without losing its signature crunch. It becomes tender-crisp, which is the perfect texture.

Ready to serve! Pin this finished dish for your next party.

Pro Tips and Delicious Variations

Now that you’ve mastered the classic copycat recipe, let’s talk about how you can customize it and ensure it comes out perfect every single time. As someone who has made this salad dozens of times, I’ve picked up a few tricks and tested several variations that take it to the next level. These tips will empower you to make the recipe your own, whether you’re catering to different tastes or dietary needs.

1. The Raw vs. Blanched Broccoli Debate

For the most authentic texture, you should use fresh, raw broccoli chopped into fine, bite-sized pieces. However, if you prefer a softer texture, you can quickly blanch the broccoli, but you must dry it completely before adding it to the dressing.

Here’s the breakdown of each method:

For Maximum Crunch (Recommended): Use fresh, raw broccoli. This is 100% authentic to the Chicken Salad Chick version and provides the best crunchy texture that holds up in the creamy dressing. Just be sure to chop it finely!
For a Softer Bite: If you or your guests find raw broccoli a bit too harsh, you can blanch it. Simply bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add the florets for just 60 seconds (no longer!), then use a slotted spoon to immediately transfer them to a large bowl of ice water. This “shocks” the broccoli, stopping the cooking process and locking in the bright green color. Crucially, you must pat the blanched broccoli completely dry with paper towels before adding it to the salad to avoid a watery dressing.

Pro-Tip: I strongly recommend sticking with raw broccoli for the most authentic copycat experience. Trust the process! The slightly acidic and sweet dressing will work its magic during the chilling time, tenderizing the broccoli to the perfect tender-crisp texture without any extra steps.

Which team are you on? Team Raw or Team Blanched? Let us know!

2. Fun Add-Ins for Extra Flavor & Crunch

To add extra flavor and crunch, you can gently fold in ingredients like dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, or finely diced red onion. These additions provide a wonderful contrast in texture and taste, complementing the creamy base of the salad.

Materials Needed: Your base broccoli salad + one or more of the following:

¼ cup finely diced red onion for a zesty, sharp bite.
⅓ cup dried cranberries or golden raisins for a chewy, sweet contrast.
⅓ cup roasted sunflower seeds or chopped pecans for an extra layer of crunch.

Step-by-Step Directions:

Prepare the broccoli salad recipe exactly as written through Step 3 (Combine the Salad Ingredients).
Gently fold in your desired add-ins at the same time you add the bacon.
Proceed to Step 4 and chill as directed to let all the flavors meld.

Lesson Learned: If you’re adding red onion, make sure to dice it very finely. Its flavor can be powerful, and a fine dice ensures it incorporates into the salad rather than overpowering a single bite. A little goes a long way to add a nice, savory complexity!

Save these tasty variations to your ‘Salad Recipes’ board!

3. How to Make it Lighter or Low-Carb

To make a lighter or low-carb version, you can swap the sugar for a keto-friendly sweetener and replace some of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. These simple substitutions can reduce the calories and carbohydrates while still yielding a delicious salad.

Here are two easy ways to adapt the recipe:

For a Lighter Version: Replace up to half of the mayonnaise with an equal amount of plain, full-fat Greek yogurt. This will cut down on fat and calories while adding a protein boost. Be aware that it will introduce a bit more tang and slightly alter the authentic flavor profile, but it’s a delicious variation in its own right.
For a Low-Carb/Keto Version: This is an easy swap! Simply replace the 3 tablespoons of sugar in the dressing with an equivalent amount of your favorite powdered or liquid sugar substitute (like monk fruit or erythritol). Also, ensure the brand of bacon you use is sugar-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally low-carb.

Pro-Tip: If using Greek yogurt, I find that a full-fat version works best to maintain as much creaminess as possible. A 50/50 split with mayonnaise is a great starting point. It keeps the richness while lightening the load.

Looking for healthier sides? Pin this idea!

4. Serving and Storage Solutions

For serving, this broccoli salad pairs perfectly with grilled meats and sandwiches, and it should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To maintain the best quality, always serve it chilled and never freeze it.

Perfect Serving Suggestions:

It’s the ultimate side dish for grilled chicken, burgers, or pulled pork sandwiches.
A star player at any BBQ, potluck, picnic, or holiday gathering.
Delicious enough to enjoy all on its own for a light and satisfying lunch.

Simple Storage Instructions:

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The salad will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days.
Do not freeze this salad. Mayonnaise-based dressings do not freeze well; they will separate and become oily upon thawing, and the broccoli will turn into a mushy, unpleasant texture.

Pro-Tip: This salad is often even better on day two! The flavors have even more time to mingle and deepen. Don’t be afraid to make it a full day ahead of your party or event. It saves you time on the day-of and results in an even more delicious salad.

Get inspired for your next BBQ menu!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to chicken salad chick broccoli salad

To quickly recap, here are the most important things to remember for making the absolute best copycat Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad at home.

The Dressing is Key: The secret to the signature flavor is the perfect balance of full-fat mayo (Duke’s is best for its tang), granulated sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Remember to whisk until it’s completely smooth to dissolve the sugar.
Fresh is Best: Always use fresh, raw broccoli chopped into small, bite-sized florets. And for the ultimate creamy texture, grate your own cheese from a block—it makes a world of difference.
Don’t Skip the Chill Time: This step is non-negotiable. Let the salad rest covered in the fridge for at least one hour (but preferably 2-4 hours) to allow the flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften just perfectly.
Serve Cold, Store Cold: This salad is meant to be enjoyed chilled. Always store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and remember that it cannot be frozen.

Final Thoughts

There’s a special kind of joy in successfully recreating a restaurant favorite in your own kitchen. It feels like unlocking a delicious secret. With this simple, tested, and authentic copycat recipe, you no longer have to wait for a trip to Chicken Salad Chick to enjoy that perfectly creamy, crunchy, and flavorful broccoli salad. You now have the power to whip up this crowd-pleasing side dish anytime a craving strikes.

What’s your favorite Chicken Salad Chick side dish you’d like to see a copycat recipe for next? Let me know in the comments

The Best Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Copycat Recipe