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Cracker Jack Chicken Salad with Bacon and Hot Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 68 reviews
  • Author: Elizabeth
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes (for cooking chicken)
  • Total Time: 30-35 minutes (includes chicken cooking time)
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Crac Corn Salad is a unique and flavorful cold salad combining the crunch of Cracker Jack popcorn with shredded chicken, crisp celery, green onions, cheddar cheese, bacon, and a creamy ranch-mayo dressing with a kick of hot sauce. This easy-to-make salad offers a delightful balance of textures and savory-sweet flavors, perfect for a refreshing lunch or party side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup Cracker Jack popcorn
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Cook and shred chicken: Start by cooking the chicken thoroughly, then shred it into bite-sized pieces using your hands or two forks.
  2. Combine shredded chicken and popcorn: Place the cooked, shredded chicken into a large mixing bowl. Ensure the Cracker Jack popcorn is popped and add it to the bowl.
  3. Prepare vegetables: Dice the celery into small, even pieces and chop the green onions, removing the ends before chopping.
  4. Add vegetables to bowl: Add the chopped green onions and diced celery into the mixing bowl with the chicken and popcorn.
  5. Add cheese and bacon: Shred the cheddar cheese and crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces; add both to the bowl.
  6. Add dressings and hot sauce: Pour in the ranch dressing and mayonnaise, ensuring even distribution. Add the tablespoon of hot sauce, adjusting to taste.
  7. Toss salad ingredients: Gently toss all ingredients together until fully combined and evenly coated with dressing.
  8. Season to taste: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed, adding salt or more hot sauce if desired.
  9. Chill the salad: Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld together.
  10. Serve: After chilling, serve the Crac Corn Salad cold and enjoy the mix of textures and flavors.

Notes

  • Use freshly cooked and well-drained chicken to avoid excess moisture in the salad.
  • Adjust hot sauce quantity to customize the spice level.
  • The salad is best served chilled but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • If Cracker Jack popcorn is unavailable, substitute with plain popped popcorn and a drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of sugar for sweetness.
  • For a lighter version, consider using light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.

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Find it online: https://easycookingworld.com/cracker-jack-chicken-salad-with-bacon-and-hot-sauce-recipe/