Factory Chopped Salad at Cheesecake Factory: The Facts

Ever walked into the Cheesecake Factory, looked at the factory chopped salad cheesecake factory on the menu, and thought, What am I really getting? Youre not alone. In the next few minutes well cut straight to the chasewhats in it, how many calories it packs, and even how you can recreate it at home. No fluff, just the good stuff you need to decide if its a treat or a cheat.

Quick Answer

The Factory Chopped Salad is a hefty bowl of julienned romaine, grilled chicken, crisp bacon, avocado, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, apple slices, and tangy bluecheese crumbles, all tossed in a balsamicvinaigrette. Its the kind of salad that feels like a full mealthink of it as a proteinrich, crunchy garden party on your plate.

Nutrition Snapshot

How many calories are we talking about?

According to the Cheesecake Factory's official menu, a standard serving of the Factory Chopped Salad comes in at roughly 750kcal. That number can swing a bit depending on whether you add extra bacon or skip the cheese, but its a solid ballpark.

For a full breakdown, see the cheesecake factory nutrition guide.

Macro breakdown you can trust

Nutrient	Approx. per serving
Protein	35g
Fat	45g (mostly monounsaturated from avocado and oliveoil vinaigrette)
Carbohydrates	30g (natural sugars from apple and corn)
Fiber	8g

Regular vs. Skinnylicious Whats the difference?

If youre watching your waistline, the Skinnylicious version trims the calories down to about 560kcal. It swaps regular bacon for turkey bacon, reduces the bluecheese amount, and uses a lighter vinaigrette. Below is a quick sidebyside look:

Regular: 750kcal, 45g fat, fullflavored vinaigrette.
Skinnylicious: 560kcal, 30g fat, reducedfat vinaigrette.

Details on the cheesecake factory skinnylicious menu with prices show how the ingredient swaps affect the final tally.

RealWorld Experience

What do diners actually do with it?

Most guests love the ability to customize. The menu lets you strip out the apple, hold the bacon, or even swap the chicken for grilled shrimp. A frequent request on food forums is extra avocadothe creamy bite balances the salty bacon perfectly and keeps the salad feeling fresh for hours.

Stories from the table

I recently heard from a friend who ordered the salad for a lunch meeting. She said, I asked for the dressing on the side because I was packing it for later. It stayed crisp until 3p.m., and the avocado still looked like it just left the bowl. That little tweakdressing on the sidecan make the difference between soggy leaves and a satisfying crunch.

Pro tip: Keep it crisp

If youre mealprepping, toss the vinaigrette only 510minutes before you eat. That short window prevents the lettuce from wilting and preserves the texture of the apple and corn.

Copycat Recipe

What youll need

• 2 cups romaine lettuce, julienned
• 6oz grilled chicken breast, sliced
• cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ripe avocado, diced
• cup sweet corn kernels (fresh or canned)
• cup crisp bacon, crumbled (or turkey bacon for a lighter option)
• cup bluecheese crumbles (feta works if you prefer)
• apple, thinly sliced (optional)
• For the vinaigrette: 3Tbsp olive oil, 2Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1tsp Dijon mustard, 1tsp honey, pinch of salt & pepper

Looking for more ideas? Check out our full list of cheesecake factory copycat recipes for other fan‑favorites you can make at home.

Stepbystep

1. Prep the veggies. Wash the lettuce, spin dry, and slice into thin strips. Halve the tomatoes, dice the avocado, and slice the apple if youre using it.

2. Cook the bacon. In a cold pan, lay the strips flat and slowly bring the heat up. Cook until crisp, then transfer to a paper towel to drain excess fat.

3. Grill the chicken. Season the breast with a little salt and pepper, grill over mediumhigh heat for about 56minutes per side, or until the internal temperature hits 165F. Let it rest, then slice into strips.

4. Whisk the vinaigrette. Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Taste and adjustif you like a sweeter note, add a tiny drizzle of maple syrup.

5. Assemble. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, avocado, corn, bacon, and cheese. Drizzle the vinaigrette, toss gently, and serve immediately.

Variations to try

• Vegan twist: Replace chicken with grilled tempeh, bacon with smoked tofu, and cheese with cashew bluecheese crumbles.
• Spicy kick: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette or sprinkle jalapeo slices over the top.
• Lowsodium option: Choose reducedsodium bacon and skip the added salt in the dressing.

Key Takeaways

The Factory Chopped Salad isnt just a random saladits a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and fiber that can satisfy a hearty appetite. Whether you stick with the classic version (around 750kcal) or opt for the Skinnylicious alternative (about 560kcal), youre getting a meal thats both flavorful and filling. Customize it to suit your taste, keep the dressing on the side for freshness, and dont be afraid to try the copycat recipe at home if you want control over every ingredient.

Next time youre scrolling the USDA FoodData Central for nutrition info, youll know exactly how the numbers stack up. And if youve ever wondered whether the salad is healthy enough for a regular lunchyes, it can be, as long as youre mindful of portion size and any extra toppings.

So, whats your take? Have you tried the Factory Chopped Salad, or are you ready to give the copycat version a whirl? Lets keep the conversation goingshare your favorite tweaks, or ask any lingering questions. Were all in this salad adventure together!