Get ready to meet your new favorite lunch obsession: BLT chicken salad.
This dish takes everything you adore about the classic BLT and gives it a protein-packed twist. It’s loaded with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and tender chicken in a light yet creamy dressing.
It’s comfort food that won’t weigh you down, making it perfect for those busy days when you need a quick, satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This BLT Chicken Salad
Meal Versatility: You can eat this right out of the bowl, in lettuce leaves or tortilla wraps, in buttery croissants, or even on a baked potato!
Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, picnics, or family gatherings, this salad appeals to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences, making it a hit at any social event.
Quick Preparation: Start with rotisserie chicken and the prep is super short! Just chop, mix, and dive in.
Ingredients
- Cooked Chicken: Tender, juicy bites of lean protein form the hearty base of this satisfying salad. You can make your own or grab a rotisserie from the store.
- Bacon: Crispy, smoky crumbles that add an irresistible savory flavor and delightful crunch to every forkful.
- Iceberg Lettuce (optional): Refreshing, crisp shreds that provide a cool contrast to the rich chicken and bacon.
- Cherry Tomatoes: For a burst of sweet, tangy flavor and vibrant color.
- Fresh Chives or Scallions: Delicate, mild onion notes and a pop of green that elevate the overall taste and appearance.
- Dressing: A creamy, zesty blend of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and savory seasonings.
How to Make BLT Chicken Salad
This is so easy to whip up, and you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already.
You can cook the bacon and chicken however you like, and you can even serve it while they’re still warm if you like.
But for the best taste, let them cool and chill the salad to serve it nice and cold!
1. MIX the dressing ingredients in a bowl until well blended.
2. ADD the salad ingredients and mix until everything is evenly coated.
3. CHILL in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
4. SERVE with extra bacon and tomatoes and some chopped chives for color. Enjoy!
Tips For the Best BLT Chicken Salad
If you’ve ever made chicken salad, you’ll know that everything needs to be chopped to similar sizes. That way, you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
Other than that, here are my top tips:
- Crispy bacon. Cook the bacon until crispy for the best texture and flavor. If it’s soft, you won’t get that crunch we all love.
- Skip the lettuce. If you’re worried about it going soggy, you can leave it out or serve it in lettuce cups so you still get that BLT taste.
- Lighten up. Feel free to use light mayo instead of full fat. It won’t be as rich, but it’ll still be tasty. I don’t recommend skipping the mayo, though, as the yogurt flavor will be overpowering.
- Stick with cherry tomatoes. They have the best texture for a salad like this. If you go with larger tomatoes and dice them, you’ll be left with a lot of soft spots.
- Optional add-ins. Customize the salad with diced celery, red onion, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, or shredded cheddar cheese. You can even add chopped grapes for a sweet finish if you like.
How to Store
Unfortunately, this won’t freeze well. The dairy dressing is likely to thaw out and split, which isn’t pleasant.
But you can make it ahead and keep it in the fridge:
To Store: Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
For the best flavor and texture, keep the lettuce separate and add it just before serving. Give the salad a quick stir before eating to redistribute the dressing.
More BLT Recipes You Have to Try
BLT Grilled Cheese
BLT Sandwich
BLT Dip
BLT Pasta Salad
BLT Chicken Salad
6
10
minutes312
kcalBLT chicken salad is loaded with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and tender chicken in a creamy dressing. It’s sure to become your new favorite lunch.
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2-3 cooked chicken breasts, diced or shredded (about 3 cups)
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce, optional
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well blended. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Add the chopped chicken, crumbled bacon, and halved tomatoes. Mix until everything is well coated in the dressing. (Set aside some of the bacon and cherry tomatoes for serving, if desired.)
- Cover and chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- When ready to serve, stir in the lettuce (if using) and garnish with the reserved bacon and tomatoes and the chopped fresh chives. Serve on its own, in lettuce wraps, or on toasted bread for a delicious sandwich.
Notes
- Skip the lettuce. If you’re worried about it going soggy, you can leave it out or serve the salad in lettuce cups so you still get that BLT taste.
- Lighten up. Feel free to use light mayo instead of full fat. It won’t be as rich, but it’ll still be tasty. I don’t recommend skipping the mayo, though, as the yogurt flavor will be overpowering.
