Introduction

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Salad combines the classic flavors of chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese with a tangy, homemade vinaigrette. It’s a refreshing twist on a comfort food favorite, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

A fresh salad is arranged on a white plate with a slightly raised edge. The bottom layer is bright green leafy lettuce, spread evenly to cover the plate. On top of the lettuce is a mix of pale pink cubes of ham and small white cubes of cheese scattered all over. Light-colored shredded chicken pieces are sprinkled across the salad, creating a textured layer above the ham and cheese. The salad is lightly dusted with ground black pepper. In the background, there is a glass jar with brown dressing and large silver salad tongs resting on the side of the plate. The whole scene is set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1 cup chopped cooked ham
1 cup cubed Swiss cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or to taste)
3 tablespoons honey
1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: To make the vinaigrette dressing, place apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, ground coriander, ground ginger, poppy seeds, salt, and black pepper into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined. Chill until ready to serve.
Step 2: On a large serving platter or in a salad bowl, layer the romaine lettuce, chopped ham, cooked chicken, Swiss cheese cubes, and grated Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate the assembled salad until ready to serve.
Step 3: Just before serving, drizzle the vinaigrette lightly over the salad and toss gently if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Use a rotisserie chicken for convenience and extra flavor.
Substitute Dijon mustard with stone-ground mustard for a milder taste.
Add toasted almonds or walnuts for extra crunch.
Try swapping Swiss cheese for Gruyère for a slightly richer flavor.

Storage

Store the dressing separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Keep the salad components chilled and assemble just before serving to prevent sogginess. Leftover salad (without dressing) can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat is not recommended as this salad is best served cold.

How to Serve

A large white shallow bowl filled with a fresh salad showing three main layers: on the bottom, vibrant green chopped lettuce leaves with a crisp texture; on top of the lettuce are evenly scattered small cubes of pale yellow cheese and pink diced ham; covering the salad are generous chunks of white cooked chicken mixed with a light sprinkle of white grated cheese and black pepper for texture. To the back of the salad bowl, resting on a green cloth, are two shiny metal salad tongs, and in the background, there is a small clear jar with a brown dressing on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh greens other than romaine for this salad?

Yes, you can substitute romaine with any sturdy salad greens like kale, spinach, or mixed greens depending on your preference.

Is it okay to prepare the salad in advance?

It’s best to prepare all ingredients ahead but keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.8 from 58 reviews

A fresh and flavorful Chicken Cordon Bleu Salad combining chopped romaine lettuce, cooked chicken, ham, Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, dressed with a tangy and sweet apple cider vinaigrette enhanced with honey, Dijon mustard, and aromatic spices.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1 cup chopped cooked ham
1 cup cubed Swiss cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Vinaigrette Dressing

½ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or to taste)
3 tablespoons honey
1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

Prepare the vinaigrette dressing: Place all the dressing ingredients—apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, ground coriander, ground ginger, poppy seeds, salt, and black pepper—into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until well combined. Chill the dressing until ready to serve to allow the flavors to meld.
Assemble the salad: On a large serving platter or in a salad bowl, layer chopped romaine lettuce, chopped ham, cooked chicken, cubed Swiss cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate the assembled salad until ready to serve to keep it fresh.
Dress and serve: Just before serving, drizzle the chilled vinaigrette lightly over the layered salad. Toss gently if desired or serve as is to enjoy the distinct layers of flavors.

Notes

Use freshly cooked chicken and ham for the best flavor and texture.
Adjust olive oil quantity in the vinaigrette to your taste preference and desired consistency.
Refrigerate the dressing and salad separately if preparing ahead to maintain freshness.
The salad works great as a light lunch or a hearty side dish for dinner.
For a lower-fat option, reduce the amount of cheese or substitute with lower-fat cheese varieties.

Keywords: Chicken Cordon Bleu Salad, Chicken Salad, Ham and Cheese Salad, Healthy Salad, No-Cook Salad, Easy Salad Recipe