The Zesty BLT Chicken Salad Recipe Everyone Will Love

Crafting a delightful blt chicken salad brings together classic flavors in a refreshing twist.

Crispy bacon pieces mingle with tender chunks of grilled chicken.

Ripe tomatoes add a burst of juicy sweetness to each bite.

Leafy greens provide a crisp foundation for this satisfying meal.

Creamy dressing weaves through the ingredients, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

You’ll savor every forkful of this simple yet elegant dish.

Grab your favorite serving bowl and let’s make magic happen!

Serving BLT Chicken Salad In Sandwiches Or Wraps

• Sandwich Sensation: Pile this zesty chicken salad between toasted whole wheat bread slices for a classic BLT-inspired sandwich that bursts with flavor.
• Lettuce Wrap Delight: Scoop the salad into crisp romaine or butter lettuce leaves for a low-carb, fresh alternative that adds crunch and lightness to the dish.
• Gourmet Appetizer Bites: Serve the chicken salad on mini crackers or endive leaves as an elegant party appetizer that's sure to impress guests with its bold, tangy taste.
• Salad Bowl Upgrade: Spread the chicken mixture over a bed of mixed greens, adding extra cherry tomatoes and crumbled bacon on top for a hearty, protein-packed main course salad.

Keeping BLT Chicken Salad Fresh For Lunch

• Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the salad cold to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Place in a sealed freezer-safe container, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before consuming.
• Warm slightly in the microwave using 15-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.
• Add a splash of fresh mayonnaise or lemon juice when serving leftovers to restore moisture and revive the original flavor profile.

FAQs

• Is BLT Chicken Salad a healthy meal option?

Yes, it’s protein-packed with lean chicken, provides healthy fats from bacon, and includes fresh vegetables for added nutrition.

• Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a convenient and flavorful alternative to cooking chicken from scratch.

• How long can I keep BLT Chicken Salad in the refrigerator?

The salad stays fresh for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

• Can I make this salad gluten-free?

Simply ensure your bacon and mayonnaise are gluten-free, and the recipe is naturally gluten-free.

BLT Chicken Salad With Crunch And Creaminess

• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust seasonings to match your taste preferences, creating a versatile dish that adapts to your cravings.
• Pack with Protein Power: Loaded with chicken and bacon, this salad delivers a satisfying protein punch that keeps you full and energized throughout the day.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: Classic BLT ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a familiar and delicious combination that appeals to both kids and adults.

All The Ingredients For BLT Chicken Salad

• Chicken: Tender, cooked meat that serves as the main protein of the salad.
• Bacon: Crispy, salty meat that adds a rich flavor and crunchy texture.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy, sweet tomatoes that provide a burst of freshness.
• Red Onion, Celery: Crisp vegetables that add sharpness and crunch to the salad.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds the salad together and adds richness.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy liquid that balances the flavors and adds zest.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Essential spices that enhance the overall taste and depth of the salad.

Steps For A Hearty BLT Chicken Salad Bowl

Step 1: Prep the Protein and Produce

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and add shredded chicken, crispy crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and finely chopped celery.

These ingredients will create a delightful base for your salad with a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Fresh lemon juice
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Freshly ground black pepper

Blend these ingredients until smooth and well combined, creating a zesty and creamy coating for your salad.

Step 3: Combine and Coat

Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture.

Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss everything together, ensuring each ingredient is evenly coated with the tangy dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Enhance

For maximum flavor development, cover the salad and refrigerate for about an hour.

This resting time allows the ingredients to mingle and intensify their taste.

If you’re in a hurry, you can serve immediately, but a short chill will elevate the overall deliciousness.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop the BLT chicken salad into serving bowls.

For extra crunch, consider garnishing with additional bacon bits or fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley.

This versatile dish works great as a light lunch, picnic option, or quick dinner.

Pro Tips For A Crisp BLT Chicken Salad

• Cook bacon until extra crispy to add a satisfying crunch and robust flavor to the salad.
• Dice onions and celery finely to ensure even distribution and prevent overpowering any single bite.
• Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for an hour, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop richer taste profiles.
• Use freshly cooked, high-quality chicken breast for the most tender and flavorful base of the salad.
• Taste and modify dressing by adding more lemon juice for brightness or black pepper for extra kick.

BLT Chicken Salad Add-Ins For Extra Flavor

• Keto-Friendly Version: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, omit onion, and use low-carb vegetables like diced cucumber for added crunch.
• Mediterranean Swap: Substitute chicken with grilled shrimp, add feta cheese, kalamata olives, and replace mayonnaise with olive oil and herb dressing.
• Vegan Alternative: Use plant-based chicken substitute, tempeh bacon, vegan mayonnaise, and add nutritional yeast for extra flavor complexity.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Incorporate fresh herbs like dill, chives, and parsley into the dressing for a bright, garden-fresh taste profile.

BLT Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crisp, refreshing BLT chicken salad combines classic sandwich flavors in a light, summer-ready dish. Bacon, lettuce, and tender chicken mingle with creamy dressing, offering you a delightful meal that satisfies lunch cravings with Mediterranean-inspired simplicity.

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Ingredients

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Protein Base:

• 3 cups (710 ml) cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 pound (454 g) bacon, diced and cooked until crisp

Fresh Vegetables:

• 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1/2 small red onion, diced small

Seasoning and Dressing:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise (light)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Dice the roasted chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring consistent texture throughout the salad.
2. Crumble crispy bacon strips into small, irregular fragments that will distribute evenly across the mixture.
3. Slice cherry tomatoes into halves, removing excess seeds to prevent watery consistency.
4. Finely chop red onion and celery into delicate, thin pieces to provide balanced crunch and flavor.
5. Whisk mayonnaise with fresh lemon juice, creating a smooth and tangy base for the dressing.
6. Incorporate garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the creamy mixture.
7. Gently fold the prepared dressing into the chicken, bacon, tomato, onion, and celery blend, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated.
8. Refrigerate the salad for 45-60 minutes at 40°F to allow flavors to harmonize and develop deeper taste profiles.
9. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.

Notes

• Swap mayo for Greek yogurt to create a lighter, protein-packed version that’s lower in calories and fat.
• Chop ingredients uniformly to ensure balanced flavor and texture in every bite of the salad.
• Add fresh chopped lettuce just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent soggy greens.
• Customize the salad by incorporating additional herbs like dill or chives for extra brightness and complexity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 512 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 39 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg