Macho Salad Recipe
Description:
The Macho Salad is a vibrant, hearty salad packed with bold flavors and lots of texture. Originally made popular by the restaurant Bandera (Hillstone Group), it’s a satisfying dish filled with greens, avocado, roasted chicken, corn, dates, goat cheese, toasted almonds, and a champagne vinaigrette. It’s sweet, tangy, creamy, crunchy — basically the ultimate salad for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
6 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
1 cup roasted chicken, shredded (can be rotisserie)
½ cup sweet corn kernels (grilled or frozen and thawed)
¼ cup Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
1 avocado, diced
⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese
¼ cup toasted almonds (slivered or chopped)
¼ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional for extra color)
1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)
For the Champagne Vinaigrette:
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
Prepare the Dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until the dressing is emulsified (creamy and blended).
Toast the Almonds:
Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
Add the almonds and toast, stirring frequently, until they are golden and fragrant (about 3–5 minutes). Set aside.
Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, shredded chicken, corn, chopped dates, avocado, goat cheese, and toasted almonds.
Add the cherry tomatoes and chives if using.
Dress the Salad:
Drizzle the champagne vinaigrette over the salad.
Toss gently but thoroughly so every leaf and ingredient is coated.
Serve:
Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.):
(Recipe serves 4)
Nutrient Amount
Calories 410 kcal
Protein 24g
Fat 29g
Carbohydrates 19g
Fiber 6g
Sugar 10g
Sodium 310mg
Note: The nutrition values can vary depending on the size of avocados, specific brands used, and quantity of dressing applied.
Time:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (for toasting almonds)
Total Time: 20 minutes
Q&A Section
Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
A: You can prep all ingredients separately (chop dates, grill corn, roast chicken, make dressing) and store them in airtight containers. Assemble and dress the salad just before serving to keep it fresh and crunchy.
Q: What can I use instead of goat cheese?
A: Feta cheese or even a mild blue cheese would work beautifully if you prefer a different flavor profile.
Q: How can I make it vegetarian?
A: Simply omit the chicken. You can add roasted chickpeas or cooked quinoa for extra protein.
Q: What if I don’t have champagne vinegar?
A: White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be good substitutes, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Q: Is Macho Salad gluten-free?
A: Yes! Naturally gluten-free if none of your store-bought ingredients (like Dijon mustard) contain gluten. Always double-check labels if needed.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Absolutely — just skip the goat cheese or replace it with a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Would you also like me to include a printable recipe card or a step-by-step photo guide? I can make one
if you want!
Also, I can suggest some variations if you want to get creative with the Macho Sala