• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Foodtasia
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » 30 Minute Meals

    Pittsburgh Salad (Pittsburgh Chicken Salad)

    July 5, 2022 by Kelly 16 Comments

    Pittsburgh Chicken Salad - slices of juicy chicken breast and a pile of hot, crispy fries on top of a cool, crunchy salad make this famous regional dish a local favorite and a delicious, complete meal in a bowl!

    bowl of Pittsburgh Chicken Salad this recipe!

    Jump to Section

    • What is a Pittsburgh Chicken Salad
    • Pittsburgh Steak Salad
    • Who invented the Pittsburgh Salad?
    • Fries on a salad is a brilliant invention!
    • Ingredients in Pittsburgh Salad recipe
    • How to make Pittsburgh Chicken Salad
    • Pittsburgh Salad

    What is a Pittsburgh Chicken Salad

    A regional favorite from western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Chicken Salad is a simple, house salad topped with slices of grilled chicken and a layer of crispy fries. Of all the food Pittsburgh is known for, (think Primanti Brothers sandwiches, pierogies, potato patch fries, and burnt almond torte) this is my favorite!

    It starts on a base of your favorite lettuce. While romaine and iceberg lettuce are common, you can use any lettuce mix you like. Cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and cheddar cheese are the most common additions, but feel free to add any of your other favorite salad ingredients – red onion slices, bell pepper slices, olives, shredded carrot, croutons, or hard-boiled egg.

    It’s topped with slices of juicy grilled chicken breast and a pile of crispy fries. It’s then drizzled with your favorite dressing. Ours is ranch, but Italian, blue cheese, or thousand island are popular too.

    bowl of Pittsburgh Chicken Salad

    Pittsburgh Steak Salad

    For a Pittsburgh Steak Salad, substitute thinly sliced grilled steak for the chicken breast. Use your favorite cut of steak cooked on the grill or in the skillet.  Try flank, sirloin, strip, or ribeye.

    Who invented the Pittsburgh Salad?

    Jerry’s Curb Service just outside of Pittsburgh in Beaver, Pennsylvania, claims to have invented this western Pennsylvania chicken salad in the 60’s when a customer requested everything that could be on a steak sandwich, but without the bread. Donna Reed, the wife of founder Jerry Reed, piled fries, steak, and salad dressing on top of a bed of lettuce.

    Fries on a salad is a brilliant invention!

    Fries add texture, flavor, crunch, and warmth. They make a salad hearty enough to be a complete meal and are the perfect substitution for croutons. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked!

    You can find a Pittsburgh Salad on many menus across the city. However, In Pittsburgh, it’s not referred to as a “Pittsburgh salad.” It’s often on menus as "steak salad" or "chicken salad."

    side view of Pittsburgh Chicken Salad

    Ingredients in Pittsburgh Salad recipe

    • French fries – they key ingredient in a Pittsburgh style salad. Use whichever style of fries you like, as long as you make them nice and crispy. Seasoned fries add extra flavor. Frozen fries make a quick and easy salad.
    • Chicken breast – grilled or cooked in a skillet then sliced. Season the chicken as you like – a little salt and pepper, some Italian seasoning, or cajun seasoning (my fave and can also be used to season the fries). For a Pittsburgh Steak Salad, use steak instead
    • Lettuce – Use your favorite lettuce mix. Pittsburgh Salad is usually served on top of a simple, house style salad that contains romaine or iceberg lettuce that holds up well to the heat of the grilled meat and fries.
    • Veggies - Cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumber are most common. You can also add sliced red onion, bell pepper, shredded carrot, or olives
    • Salad dressing – Ranch is the most popular dressing for a Pittsburgh Salad. It’s perfect for drizzling on top as well as serving on the side for dipping. Other options include Italian, blue cheese, or thousand island.
    • Cheddar cheese - grated, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella

    How to make Pittsburgh Chicken Salad

    • Cook chicken breast on the grill or in a skillet until done. Let rest for 5 minutes then cut into slices.
    sliced grilled chicken
    • Prepare the French fries. I use frozen, seasoned, thin-cut fries and bake them a few extra minutes so they’re extra crispy.
    french fries baked on a baking sheet
    • Assemble the salad: put the lettuce into a serving bowl and add veggies and cheese
    mixed salad with ranch dressing on the side
    • Top with sliced chicken breast and fries
    Pittsburgh Chicken Salad with dressing on the side
    • Serve with dressing drizzled on top or on the side.
    Pittsburgh Chicken Salad
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Pittsburgh Chicken Salad

    Pittsburgh Salad


    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Kelly
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Sliced chicken and a pile of hot, crispy fries on top of a cool, crunchy salad make this Pittsburgh Chicken Salad a delicious, meal in a bowl


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 chicken breast (about 4oz)
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 cup (about 12) French fries, cooked until crispy
    • 3 cups lettuce or lettuce mix
    • ½ cup sliced cucumber
    • ½ cup sliced cherry tomatoes
    • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 3 tablespoons ranch dressing, or other salad dressing

    Optional veggies:

    • Sliced red onion
    • Sliced bell pepper
    • Shredded carrot

    Instructions

    1. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper. Cook chicken breast on the grill or in a skillet until done. Let rest for 5 minutes then cut into slices.
    2. Prepare the French fries. I use frozen, seasoned, thin-cut fries and bake them a few extra minutes so they’re extra crispy.
    3. Assemble the salad: put the lettuce into a serving bowl. Top with veggies, cheddar cheese, sliced chicken breast, and fries.
    4. Serve with dressing drizzled on top or on the side.

    Equipment

    Image of sheet pan

    sheet pan

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    • For a Pittsburgh Steak Salad, substitute steak for the chicken breast
    • A lettuce mix with romaine and/or iceberg will hold up to the hot meat and fries
    • Extra crispy fries are best on the salad. If using frozen fries, bake them a few extra minutes.
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Cook Time: 20
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: salad, chicken, french fries, dinner, Pittsburgh, lettuce, steak

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    « Homemade Strawberry Syrup
    Easy Homemade Strawberry Milk for One or Two (2 Ways! + Video) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. angiesrecipes

      July 05, 2022 at 1:07 am

      A salad with fries...my husband is going to LOVE it.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        July 21, 2022 at 5:44 am

        Thanks, Angie!

        Reply
    2. John / Kitchen Riffs

      July 06, 2022 at 11:18 am

      You know, I've never had a Pittsburgh Salad! How could I have missed this culinary delight? I do agree fries are a fun substitute for croutons. Fun recipe -- thanks.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        July 09, 2022 at 6:55 pm

        Thanks so much, John!

        Reply
    3. mjskitchen

      July 07, 2022 at 10:21 pm

      A salad with fries? Oh, you did take this one over the top. How could one not love this aalad. The presentation alone sold me, but after seeing the recipe, I see this as a must make. Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        July 09, 2022 at 6:54 pm

        Thanks so much, MJ! Fries on salad are fantastic!

        Reply
    4. David Scott Allen

      July 09, 2022 at 1:13 pm

      I have never heard of this - but probably because I am from Philadelphia! 🙂 It sounds wonderful and reminds me of a Peruvian dish - Lomo Saltado. Thought it is beef-based, it is also finished with French fries. Thanks, Kelly!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        July 09, 2022 at 3:38 pm

        I'll have to check that out, David, I'm kind of hooked on anything topped with fries right now! Thanks so much!

        Reply
    5. mack chris

      July 22, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      chicken is really the most using meal in different variety, chicken lovers are always looking for the new recopies.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        July 26, 2022 at 2:41 am

        Thanks Mack

        Reply
    6. Kevin John Hill

      November 15, 2022 at 12:12 pm

      Yes indeed. Very nicely you present your recepes and I really love fries almost with every meal.

      Thanks for sharing these fantastic and mouth-watering recipes.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        November 20, 2022 at 12:23 pm

        Thanks Kevin!

        Reply
    7. geometry dash

      November 18, 2022 at 1:59 am

      Yes, on both counts. I prefer them on salads because I believe they become soggy on sandwiches. Yes, Pittsburgh is fantastic.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        November 20, 2022 at 12:39 pm

        Yes it is!

        Reply
    8. wonderfulcook

      December 30, 2022 at 3:40 am

      Sounds yummy! Totally making this later on this week!! Can’t wait!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        January 04, 2023 at 11:02 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Kelly Shaban

    Hi there! So nice to meet you! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I’m so glad you're here! I’m Kelly, a homeschooling mother of five (and a CPA in a previous life). When I’m not teaching differential equations or Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, you’ll find me in the kitchen, whipping up something good to eat for my hungry crew. Read More About Me

    Subscribe to my mailing list

    Popular Posts

    • dish with kung pao beef
      Quick and Easy Kung Pao Beef - Better than Takeout!
    • pumpkin fudge squares stacked on a plate
      Easy Pumpkin Fudge Recipe (Video)
    • bowl of fresh pico de gallo
      Easy, Homemade Pico de Gallo Recipe (Fresh Tomato Salsa)
    • pan of steak nachos
      Carne Asada Nachos Recipe - The Ultimate Steak Nachos!
    • piece of chocolate lasagna with a bite taken out
      Chocolate Lasagna (Quick and Easy No-Bake Dessert) + Video
    • glasses of mangonada
      Best Mangonada Recipe (Chamoyada, Chamango) (Video)

    30 Minute Recipes

    • Pittsburgh Chicken Salad
      Pittsburgh Salad (Pittsburgh Chicken Salad)
    • pan of hunan beef
      Hunan Beef - Better than Takeout!
    • pan with Chicken Florentine
      Easy Chicken Florentine
    • a dish of Hunan chicken with rice and chopsticks
      Easy Hunan Chicken – Better than Takeout! (with VIDEO)
    • Lemon Pepper Salmon – Easy Grilled Salmon Recipe
    • plate of chicken flautas on a bed of lettuce topped with avocado crema, sour cream, and pico de gallo
      Easy Chicken Flautas Recipe

    Footer


    as featured in

    buzzfeed logo
    greatest logo
    yummly logo
    huffpo logo
    foodista logo
    taste of home

    Privacy Policy About Subscribe

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2023

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.