Cornbread Salad

Adding shredded cheese to the top of a cornbread chicken salad in a trifle bowl.

4.67 from 9 votes

Cornbread Salad with chicken is a delicious Southern favorite side dish or main course! It's simple to make and perfect to prep ahead of time. With all of the fresh and delicious flavors, it's great for potlucks, picnics, or any occasion where you want to impress your guests.

Prep Time30

Cook Time0

Total Time30

Course: Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken

Servings: servings

Calories: 308kcal

Ingredients

4 cups crumbled cornbread
2 cups shredded chicken breast
1 cup whole kernel corn drained
1 cup pinto beans rinsed and drained
½ cup chopped red onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
16 ounce bottle Hidden Valley Spicy or Southwest Chipotle Ranch Dressing

Instructions

Layer half of each ingredient in a glass trifle bowl or glass serving bowl in this order: cornbread, chicken, corn, beans, onion, bell pepper, cheese, and dressing.
Layer the remaining ingredients in this order: cornbread, chicken, corn, beans, onion, bell pepper, dressing, and cheese.
Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Mix when ready to serve.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips and Substitutions

- Moisture Level: Ensure your cornbread is not overly dry. If your cornbread tends to be on the drier side, you can add a bit of chicken broth or milk to moisten it up. This will prevent your salad from being too dry.

- Customize Vegetables: Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand. You can also add ingredients like diced tomatoes, grape tomatoes, sugar snap peas, avocado, or jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.

- Cheese Varieties: While cheddar cheese is our favorite, you can try varieties like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, blue cheese, or even crumbled feta.

- Protein Options: If you don't have cooked chicken on hand or prefer a meatless option, you can substitute it with other protein sources such as grilled tofu, black beans, or chickpeas.

- Fresh vs. Canned Corn: Drained whole kernel corn, frozen and thawed, and fresh sweet corn can all be used.

- Homemade Dressing: Spicy ranch dressing has such a nice flavor, but you might consider making your own spicy ranch dressing for a fresher and more flavorful option. You can control the level of spiciness and adjust the ingredients to your taste preferences.

- Chill Before Serving: For the best flavor and texture, allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This will give the flavors a chance to meld together and the salad to set properly.

- Garnishes: Consider topping the salad with additional garnishes such as chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or crushed tortilla chips for added flavor and crunch.

Nutrition