Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout
Crispy Scala Chopped Salad is the best restaurant-style salad you can make at home. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to getting that perfect crispy texture. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Crispy Hamburger Meat and Broccoli and Crispy Chinese Fried Noodles.
Why This Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly crispy bacon and croutons
- Creamy avocado and tangy dressing
- Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins
What You'll Need for Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- romaine lettuce
- bacon
- croutons
- avocado
- red onion
- red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- honey
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- Optional: grilled chicken
- Optional: sliced hard-boiled eggs
- Optional: shredded cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food Processor — Makes quick work of chopping lettuce and other veggies. → See on Amazon
- Cast Iron Skillet — Gives bacon and croutons that perfect crispy texture. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Chop romaine lettuce and place in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add croutons and cook until crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 5: Add avocado, red onion, and your choice of optional toppings to the bowl with romaine lettuce. Toss with dressing until well coated.
- Step 6: Top with crispy bacon and croutons. Serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the salad. You can always add more dressing, but you can't take it away.
- : For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add extra croutons or chickpeas for protein.
- : Make it a meal by adding grilled chicken or shrimp.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 1 hour ahead. Dress just before serving.
Freezing Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout
Not recommended.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended. Dressing may separate.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use the freshest ingredients for the best flavor.
- Best substitution: Substitute iceberg lettuce for romaine if desired.
- Make-ahead: Prepare all ingredients ahead of time, but dress just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing separates, simply whisk it again before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — Gives the dressing that perfect tangy flavor. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- romaine lettuce
- bacon
- croutons
- avocado
- red onion
Seasonings
- red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- honey
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Optional Toppings
- grilled chicken
- sliced hard-boiled eggs
- shredded cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Chop romaine lettuce and place in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add croutons and cook until crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 5: Add avocado, red onion, and your choice of optional toppings to the bowl with romaine lettuce. Toss with dressing until well coated.
- Step 6: Top with crispy bacon and croutons. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use the freshest ingredients for the best flavor.
- Best substitution: Substitute iceberg lettuce for romaine if desired.
- Make-ahead: Prepare all ingredients ahead of time, but dress just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing separates, simply whisk it again before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended. Dressing may separate.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 hour ahead. Dress just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sat. Fat: 8g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, prepare all ingredients ahead of time, but dress just before serving to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy.
Over-dressing the salad or letting it sit too long before serving can cause the lettuce to get soggy. See my pro tip above for the fix.
No, freezing will cause the lettuce to lose its crispness and the dressing to separate.
No, the air fryer is not the best tool for cooking bacon and croutons for this salad.
For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add extra croutons or chickpeas for protein.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Scala Chopped Salad – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
