Portillo's Chopped Salad (Copycat)

Q: Can I make this a full meal?

Definitely! Just add 1 1/2 - 2 cups of chopped, cooked chicken. You could also add some chopped or sliced cooked steak.

Jump straight to the recipe here (but you'll miss a lot of good info)!

This is the Portillo's Chopped Salad that everyone always raves over and must be at every party or dinner. It's very close to the original and, dare I say, even better!

a large serving bowl filled with a tossed copycat portillos chopped salad just before adding the dressing

What's in Portillo's Chopped Salad?

The real Portillo's chopped salad is built on romaine and iceberg, ditalini pasta, diced chicken, crispy bacon, tomatoes, gorgonzola, green onion, and red cabbage, all tossed in their house dressing. Here's what's in my copycat version:

Crispy bacon
Creamy gorgonzola cheese
Sweet heirloom tomatoes
Ditalini pasta
Chopped romaine lettuce
Sliced radicchio
Chopped green onions
A tangy homemade balsamic dressing

Here are a couple of swaps I made so that you can stick to the original if you prefer:

I replaced the red cabbage with radicchio for its crunch and slightly bitter taste, which pairs well with the sweet and tangy dressing. I also replaced the iceberg lettuce with more romaine as personal preference.

I also prefer a salad with more toppings than lettuce (like this chopped veggie salad) and use an equal amount of chopped up greens (romaine and radicchio) to hold everything together.

The dressing brings all of the flavors together. This is my favorite salad dressing! It's slightly sweet and garlicky with lots of tang. And we all know how well bacon pairs with bacon and blue cheese! If you want to compare notes, here's Portillo's own listing for their chopped salad, which is worth a look if you're curious about how close this comes.

Does Portillo's Chopped Salad Have Chicken?

Yes, the version at Portillo's includes diced chicken. I leave it out of my recipe because I usually serve this as a side salad for a crowd, and not everyone wants chicken in it. But it's an easy add if you want this to be a full meal. Just toss in about 1½ to 2 cups of diced, cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great) along with the rest of the salad ingredients. It's perfect this way if you'd like it as a main dish!

a serving bowl filled with the ingredients for a copycat portillos chopped salad before mixing and dressing

How many calories are in Portillo's Chopped Salad with dressing?

Based on six servings, this Portillo's Chopped Salad has:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	340
Protein	21g
Total Fat	21g
Net Carbohydrates	14g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	3g
Sodium	997mg

You could add some of your other favorite toppings to this chopped salad to switch things up, too: fresh corn in the summertime, diced red bell peppers or even some diced poblanos. Another cheese would work, too, but I definitely prefer the gorgonzola or blue. Add some diced, cooked chicken and it will make a great main dish. And always lots of freshly ground pepper!

How to Make It Ahead & Store Leftovers

This salad is a great make-ahead option for parties, but a few tips will keep it from getting soggy:

To prep ahead: Chop all the salad ingredients and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Make the dressing separately and keep it refrigerated in its own jar or container.
Right before serving: Toss everything together and add the dressing, or - my preference - serve the dressing on the side so everyone can dress their own portion. This also means any leftovers stay crisp longer.
Leftovers, undressed: Will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Leftovers, already dressed: Best eaten within a day; the lettuce will soften as it sits, though the pasta and toppings hold up fine.
Don't freeze this salad: the lettuce and tomatoes won't hold their texture once thawed.

This makes a big batch, so I want to be sure the leftovers will still be crisp (IF there are any - you'll be surprised how quickly this goes)!

What dressing is closest to Portillo's original?

Portillo's house dressing is a bit sweeter and creamier than my homemade balsamic version here. If you want something closer to the original, a sweet Italian or poppyseed-style bottled dressing is your best bet.

Can I use red cabbage instead of radicchio?

That's actually what Portillo's uses. Swap in 2 cups of shredded red cabbage in place of the radicchio for a milder, crunchier, more "true to the original" version.

What can I substitute for gorgonzola?

Regular blue cheese is the closest substitute and works just as well. Feta would also work really well.

Can I make this a full meal?

Definitely! Just add 1 ½ - 2 cups of chopped, cooked chicken. You could also add some chopped or sliced cooked steak.

How far in advance can I make this for a party?

Chop everything and make the dressing up to 2 days ahead, but store them separately and don't toss until you're ready to serve.