Copycat Cheesecake Factory Skinnylicious® Chopped Salad
The combination of flavors and textures makes this salad irresistible!
The Cheesecake Factory Chopped Salad
The Cheesecake Factory SkinnyLicious® Chopped Salad has become an iconic dish beloved by many. This restaurant classic features romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, garbanzo beans, bacon, and cheddar cheese chopped into small pieces - all lightly tossed in a light yet flavorful dressing.
The combination of flavors and textures makes this salad irresistible! For those looking to recreate this dish at home for better nutrition, here is a step-by-step guide to making your own copycat version. If you know me, you know I love making salads.
What I Don’t Love About the Menu Item
First, although the Cheesecake Factory SkinnyLicious® Chopped Salad is delicious, we have NO idea what the grilled chicken and bacon are cooked in. It could be (and probably is) an inflammatory canola or sunflower oil. Obviously, these ingredients are not organic, or they would be advertised as that. Romaine lettuce and tomatoes are two foods that we want to always try to eat organic!
Second, the chicken is not pasture-raised or organic, and neither is the bacon. I tend to stay away from non-organic meat products as they are loaded with antibiotics & tend to make me bloated!
Why I Like My Version
You can make the same salad for the same price but double/triple the quantity! So, it’s great for meal prep. I swap the bacon for turkey bacon and make my own apple cider vinaigrette with real, non-inflammatory ingredients. Also, adding a few hard-boiled eggs gives you the necessary protein to your diet.
Getting the salad ingredients from the grocery store allows you to perform quality control on them. I make sure to get organic romaine lettuce, organic tomatoes, and pasture-raised high-quality chicken. Never wait in a long line for a table again in order to satisfy your cravings!
What’s in a Chopped Salad?
In order to make the perfect copycat Cheesecake Factory Chopped Salad, you will need some key ingredients. Begin with fresh cut-up romaine lettuce or other leafy greens such as arugula or spinach. You'll also need tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh or thawed corn kernels, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), crisp-cooked bacon crumbles, and blue cheese for optimal flavor and texture.
Lastly, you'll need a light dressing, such as a balsamic vinaigrette or honey mustard, for tossing the chopped salad before it's served. I make my own dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and honey.
How to Make a Chopped Salad at Home
MAKING A COPYCAT VERSION OF THIS SALAD IS FAIRLY EASY – ONCE YOU HAVE ALL YOUR INGREDIENTS READY TO GO!
Start by washing and chopping all your vegetables into small cubes.
Place these into a large bowl along with bacon crumbles and blue cheese.
Toss gently until everything is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Then add in your choice of dressing and mix again until everything is lightly coated in the dressing – but not too much as you don't want it soggy!
Now, you can serve your homemade copycat chopped salad with family or friends!
The Secret to Making a Good Salad
To make your salad taste like it was made in a restaurant, there are some key tips to keep in mind. Always start with fresh lettuce - avoid pre-chopped if possible, as this will decrease the texture contrast present in the final dish.
Also, be sure not to overdo it on the dressing - just enough to lightly coat each ingredient without overpowering them will work best! Lastly, serve immediately after tossing together - if allowed to sit for too long, all ingredients will get soggy and won't yield good results!
PRO TIP: IF YOU WANT THE SALAD TO LAST LONGER, SWAP THE ROMAINE FOR KALE AND MAKE A CHOPPED KALE SALAD. IT’S EQUALLY DELICIOUS, AND THE LEAVES WON’T WILT AS FAST.
My copycat recipe of the Cheesecake Factory SkinnyLicious® chopped salad is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this dish without going out to a restaurant. It’s packed with fresh ingredients, including Roma tomatoes, fresh avocado, corn, and blue cheese. The combination of flavors makes for an interesting and flavorful dish.
This salad is so incredibly easy to make and can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. With its crunchy texture and savory flavor, the copycat Cheesecake Factory chopped salad is sure to become a favorite in your home. If you watch a video version of this recipe, head to my YouTube or Instagram!
Other Delicious Salads You’ll Love!
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Cobb Salad
Ingredients
- romaine lettuce, chopped
- tomato, chopped
- avocado, sliced
- air fried chicken nuggets (any kind)
- hard boiled egg, chopped
- turkey bacon, chopped
- blue cheese, I used @cambozola_official
- parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Chop the salad ingredients into bite-size pieces and add them to a bowl
- Combine the dressing and ingredients and whisk until well mixed
- Pour dressing on top and enjoy!
When it comes to using an air fryer, one of the questions that pops up is what type of oil to use, and if cooking spray is a good option.