Experience the Salad of Salads

There are salads, and then there’s the Newporter Salad. This isn’t just any ordinary green dish; it’s an extraordinary symphony of flavors and textures designed to captivate your palate. From the delightful balance of salty and sweet to the satisfying contrast of chewy and crunchy, every bite is a testament to its freshness and robust flavor. It’s so incredibly delicious and substantial that it easily transforms into a fulfilling meal, leaving you completely satisfied without feeling heavy.

This exquisite recipe is my homemade rendition of a beloved salad from one of my all-time favorite restaurants in Dallas, R+D Kitchen. For years, I found myself craving this specific salad, often spending upwards of $20 for a single serving. Determined to enjoy this gourmet experience more frequently and affordably, I embarked on a mission to recreate it in my own kitchen. The result is a stunningly accurate copycat recipe that captures all the essence and appeal of the original, allowing you to indulge in this restaurant-quality dish right at home, saving both time and money.

A Versatile Addition to Your Meal Rotation

The Newporter Salad has quickly become a staple in my weekly meal planning, frequently taking center stage during my lunch breaks. While I adore my Favorite 5-Minute Lunch Salad, this Newporter version offers a delightful change of pace a few days a week, adding variety and excitement to my midday meals. Beyond lunch, its hearty nature makes it an excellent choice for a satisfying dinner that my entire family genuinely enjoys. For family meals, I often deconstruct the salad components, allowing everyone, especially the kids, to customize their own plates with the ingredients they love most. This interactive approach makes mealtime fun and ensures everyone gets exactly what they desire, earning it a resounding two thumbs up from all of us!

Unleash a Medley of Delicious Flavors and Textures

One of the key advantages of incorporating this salad into your routine is its convenience, especially with a little advance preparation. I make it a habit to purchase and/or prep most of the ingredients early in the week. This simple step significantly streamlines the process, allowing me to quickly toss the salad together when I’m short on time for lunch or need a speedy, nutritious weeknight dinner. Having all the components ready means a gourmet meal is just minutes away, reducing stress and ensuring healthy eating is always an option.

A truly great salad, like this Newporter creation, brings immense joy to my daily routine. I strive to eat a salad every day, and it’s enticing, flavorful options such as this one that keep me consistently craving them. The ability to effortlessly create a favorite restaurant-quality salad in the comfort of my home, with all the impressive presentation and taste, feels like a genuine culinary victory. It’s a delightful way to enjoy a meal that’s both nourishing and incredibly satisfying.

What sets this Newporter Salad apart is its incredible array of contrasting yet complementary flavors and textures. Every ingredient plays a crucial role, contributing to a harmonious and exciting culinary experience. From the earthiness of kale to the sweetness of apple, the saltiness of bacon, and the crunch of nuts, no single component feels out of place. And tying it all together is the exquisite champagne vinaigrette – its light, tangy, and subtly sweet notes perfectly enhance and unify every element, making each bite an absolute delight.

Essential Ingredients and Supplies for Your Newporter Salad

Crafting this incredible Newporter Salad begins with selecting high-quality ingredients and having the right tools on hand. Below is a comprehensive list to ensure your salad turns out perfectly. For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

Key Ingredients for the Salad:

• Chopped Kale Salad Mix: Opt for sweet kale varieties for a milder flavor. Pre-chopped mixes save valuable prep time.
• Rotisserie Chicken: Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, providing tender, flavorful protein without extra cooking.
• Diced Honeycrisp Apple: Honeycrisp apples are preferred for their exceptional crispness and sweet-tart flavor, adding a refreshing bite.
• Chopped Red Onion: A small amount of finely chopped red onion provides a subtle sharpness and vibrant color.
• Cooked & Crumbled Bacon: Crispy bacon bits contribute a crucial salty, smoky element. For a simpler method, consider my guide on how to bake bacon.
• Glazed Pecans: These add a wonderful crunch and a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the savory components.
• Sliced Almonds: Another textural powerhouse, offering a delicate crunch and nutty flavor.
• Dried Tart Cherries: These contribute a burst of tangy sweetness, beautifully balancing the richness of other ingredients.
• Crumbled Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: The sharp, creamy notes of white cheddar tie all the flavors together.
• Hard-Boiled Eggs: Grated with a cheese grater for a unique, fine texture that disperses evenly throughout the salad.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning to taste.
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spice and aroma.

For the Champagne Vinaigrette:

• Champagne Vinegar: This is the star of the dressing, offering a delicate, bright acidity. White wine vinegar can be used as a substitute.
• Honey: To balance the acidity of the vinegar with natural sweetness.
• Whole Grain Dijon Mustard: Adds depth of flavor and acts as an emulsifier, helping the dressing combine smoothly.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The base of any good vinaigrette, providing richness and body.

Necessary Supplies:

• Medium Mixing Bowl: Ideal for whisking together the vinaigrette.
• Whisk: Essential for achieving a smooth, emulsified dressing.
• Large Salad Bowl: A spacious bowl is crucial for combining and tossing all the salad ingredients without spillage.

Simple Steps to Craft Your Newporter Salad

Creating this gourmet salad is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these easy steps to bring the flavors of R+D Kitchen right to your dining table:

Preparing the Champagne Vinaigrette:

• Combine Base Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar), honey, and whole grain Dijon mustard until they are well combined and smooth. This creates the foundational flavor profile of your dressing.
• Emulsify with Olive Oil: While continuously whisking, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. Maintain a brisk whisking motion to ensure the oil fully emulsifies with the other liquids, creating a creamy, cohesive vinaigrette rather than separate layers.
• Season to Perfection: Finally, season the vinaigrette with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Adjust as needed to achieve your desired balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes.

Assembling the Newporter Salad:

• Combine Main Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine all the salad ingredients except for the grated hard-boiled eggs. This includes the chopped kale, roasted chicken, diced apple, red onion, crumbled bacon, glazed pecans, sliced almonds, dried tart cherries, and crumbled white cheddar cheese.
• Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared champagne vinaigrette over the salad mixture. Gently toss all the ingredients until they are thoroughly coated with the dressing. Ensure an even distribution for maximum flavor in every bite.
• Serve and Garnish: Divide the dressed salad mixture among individual serving plates, piling the salad high to create an appealing presentation. Alternatively, you can transfer the entire mixture to a large serving bowl for family-style dining.

• Add Grated Egg: Once plated, evenly distribute the grated hard-boiled egg over each serving of salad. The finely grated egg adds a delicate texture and richness that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Finish with an extra sprinkle of kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, if desired, for a final flourish of flavor.

Storage Tips for Leftover Salad

Should you have any delectable leftovers of this Newporter Salad, they can be easily stored to enjoy later. Simply transfer the remaining salad to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. When stored properly, the salad will maintain its freshness and flavor for up to two days. For the best experience, consider storing the dressing separately if you anticipate leftovers, and only dress the portion you plan to eat immediately. This helps prevent the greens from becoming soggy and keeps all the components crisp and vibrant.

I genuinely hope you enjoy making and savoring this incredible Newporter Salad as much as I do. If you decide to whip up this recipe, I would absolutely love to see your creations! Be sure to snap a picture and share it with me, or tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can admire your culinary masterpieces. If you’re a Facebook user, I warmly invite you to join my exclusive Friends of The BakerMama group. It’s a fantastic community where we connect, share our love for cooking, and swap notes on all the fun and delicious recipes you create from my collection! I find immense joy in seeing how inspired and creative you all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy every bite!

xoxo,

Print

Newporter Salad (Chopped Kale and Roasted Chicken Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette)

5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

• 
  Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
• 
  
  Prep Time: 20 mins
• 
  
  Total Time: 15 mins
• 
  
  Yield: 2 entree size salads or 4-6 side salads
• 
  
  Category: Main

Print Recipe

---

Description

This Newporter Salad is full of chopped kale and roasted chicken salad packed with fresh apple, red onion, egg, bacon, cherries, pecans, almonds and white cheddar all tossed in a light champagne vinaigrette. Salad dreams do come true!

---

Ingredients

Salad:

• 4 cups chopped sweet kale salad mix
• 2 cups torn white meat from a rotisserie chicken
• 1 medium honeycrisp apple, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 3 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
• 1/4 cup glazed pecans
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup dried tart cherries
• 1/2 cup crumbled sharp white cheddar cheese
• 2 hard boiled eggs, grated with a cheese grater
• kosher salt
• fresh ground black pepper

Champagne Vinaigrette:

• 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons whole grain dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• kosher salt, to taste
• fresh ground pepper, to taste

---

Instructions

1. Make the Champagne Vinaigrette: whisk the champagne vinegar, honey and dijon mustard in a medium mixing bowl until combined. Continue to whisk while adding the olive oil and whisk briskly until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Make the Salad: combine all ingredients, except the grated eggs, in a large bowl. Toss in the dressing until well coated.
3. Transfer the salad mix to a large serving bowl and top with the grated egg. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Or divide salad among serving plates, piling the salad high on each plate. Divide the grated egg evenly over the individual salad plates. Season with salt and pepper.

---