Crispy BLT Chicken Salad Recipe: A Zesty Lunchtime Delight

Savoring a classic BLT chicken salad combines the best of comfort and freshness in one delightful dish.

Crisp bacon pieces dance alongside tender chicken chunks, creating a symphony of flavors.

Creamy mayo brings everything together with a smooth embrace.

Chopped lettuce adds a satisfying crunch that makes each bite memorable.

Summer picnics or quick lunch breaks become instantly exciting with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Regional ingredients can elevate the traditional mix, making it uniquely yours.

Why BLT Chicken Salad Deserves a Spot on Your Table

• Customize with Ease: Perfect for tailoring to personal taste preferences, swap ingredients or adjust seasoning without complicated steps.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal kitchen effort, making it ideal for fast weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Nutrient-Packed Delight: Combines lean protein from chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables for a balanced, satisfying meal that doesn't compromise on nutrition.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy as a sandwich filling, wrap, salad topping, or standalone dish, providing multiple ways to savor this delicious recipe.

BLT Chicken Salad Ingredient Rundown

• Chicken: Tender and juicy meat perfect for salads.
• Bacon: Crispy and flavorful pork strips.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and bright red small tomatoes.
• Red Onion: Sharp and colorful onion variety.
• Celery: Crunchy green vegetable with mild flavor.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy white condiment.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh citrus liquid.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasoning enhancers.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Dried ground seasonings for extra flavor.

BLT Chicken Salad Prep Guide

Step 1: Transform the Chicken

Cook chicken using boiling, baking, or grilling techniques.

After cooking, let it cool slightly and chop or shred into bite-sized morsels that will blend perfectly with other ingredients.

Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon

Slice bacon into small pieces and cook until achieving a delightful crunch.

Use either stovetop or oven method.

Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, ensuring maximum crispiness.

Step 3: Prepare Fresh Vegetable Medley

Slice cherry tomatoes in half, mince red onion into fine pieces, and dice celery into uniform small cubes.

These fresh components will add vibrant texture and flavor to the salad.

Step 4: Create Flavor Foundation

• Chopped chicken
• Crispy bacon bits
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Diced red onion
• Chopped celery

Gently toss ingredients to distribute evenly.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper

Taste and adjust seasonings for optimal flavor profile.

Step 6: Final Mix and Serve

Drizzle dressing over salad mixture and stir thoroughly, ensuring every ingredient gets coated.

Serve immediately or refrigerate in sealed container for later enjoyment.

Helpful Notes for BLT Chicken Salad

• Cook bacon slowly over medium-low heat to ensure even, crunchy texture without burning. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess grease and maintain maximum crispiness.
• Allow chicken to cool completely before chopping to prevent moisture loss and maintain juicy meat. Use rotisserie chicken as a quick time-saving alternative for faster preparation.
• Add fresh chopped herbs like parsley or chives for extra brightness and depth. Consider mixing in a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing for a tangy kick.
• Chill the salad for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld together and enhance overall taste. Serve cold for best texture and freshness.
• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version. Use turkey bacon or plant-based bacon for lower-fat or vegetarian options without compromising delicious flavor profile.

Save and Reheat Your BLT Chicken Salad Like a Pro

• Store the BLT chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Do not freeze this salad, as mayonnaise-based dressings separate and become watery when thawed, compromising texture and taste.
• For best results, enjoy the salad cold straight from the refrigerator. If desired, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off.
• Before consuming leftovers, inspect for any off-smells, discoloration, or signs of spoilage. Discard if any unusual changes are noticed to ensure food safety.

What Goes Well With BLT Chicken Salad

• Savor Refreshing Beverage Companions
• Pair Crisp White Wine: Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc complements the salad's creamy texture and cuts through bacon's richness perfectly.
• Select Zesty Sparkling Water: Lemon or cucumber-infused sparkling water adds a light, refreshing contrast to the savory chicken and bacon blend.
• Match Herbal Iced Tea: Mint or basil-infused iced tea provides a cool, aromatic backdrop that enhances the salad's fresh vegetable components.
• Elevate with Light Beer: A wheat beer or pilsner offers a crisp, clean finish that balances the salad's rich and tangy flavors.

Alternate Ideas for BLT Chicken Salad

• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Replace bread or crackers with large lettuce leaves, creating a carb-conscious alternative that keeps the classic BLT flavor profile intact.
• Dairy-Free Protein Boost: Substitute mayonnaise with mashed avocado or Greek yogurt for a creamy texture that adds healthy fats and eliminates dairy concerns.
• Vegetarian Protein Alternative: Swap chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh, using smoked tofu to mimic bacon's smoky flavor while maintaining the salad's core essence.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, and serve with gluten-free crackers or over a bed of mixed greens for added nutrition and texture.

FAQs

• Is this salad healthy?

The salad offers a balanced mix of protein from chicken, vegetables, and a moderate amount of bacon. It’s relatively nutritious with lean protein, fresh vegetables, and controlled portion of fats.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad up to a day in advance. Keep the dressing separate and mix just before serving to prevent the vegetables from getting soggy.

• What proteins can I substitute for chicken?

You can easily replace chicken with turkey, rotisserie chicken, or canned tuna for a similar flavor profile and protein content.

• How do I keep the bacon crispy?

Cook bacon separately and add it just before serving to maintain its crunchiness. Store bacon bits separately from the salad if preparing in advance.

Blt Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering BLT chicken salad combines crisp bacon, juicy chicken, and fresh greens in a delightful summer classic. Creamy dressing and crunchy textures make this dish a perfect light meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 3 cups (720 ml) cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 pound (454 grams) bacon, diced and cooked until crisp

Fresh Vegetables:

• 1 cup (150 grams) 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
• 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. Char or roast the chicken using your favorite culinary technique until thoroughly cooked, ensuring internal temperature reaches safe levels. Allow protein to rest and cool momentarily before transforming into delicate, bite-sized morsels.
2. Transform bacon into crisp, golden fragments through stovetop sizzling or oven-baking. Transfer rendered pieces onto absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess lipids.
3. Carefully deconstruct cherry tomatoes into symmetrical halves, transform red onion into delicate miniature cubes, and slice celery into uniform, petite segments.
4. Orchestrate a harmonious blend by introducing chopped chicken, crackling bacon bits, vibrant tomato halves, piquant onion cubes, and crisp celery fragments into a spacious mixing vessel.
5. Craft a luxurious emulsion by whisking mayonnaise with zesty lemon juice, complemented by aromatic garlic powder, nuanced onion powder, and a whisper of black pepper. Calibrate seasoning to personal preference.
6. Cascade dressing over assembled ingredients, gently folding until every morsel gleams with creamy coating. Serve immediately for optimal texture and temperature, or preserve within sealed container for later indulgence.

Notes

• Select chicken breasts or thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring even cooking through preferred method.
• Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve better browning and prevent excess moisture in the salad.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy for maximum crunch and robust smoky flavor throughout the dish.
• Use low-sodium bacon if watching salt intake, balancing overall seasoning in the recipe.
• Choose fresh, firm cherry tomatoes for bright color and juicy texture in the salad.
• Dice vegetables uniformly to create consistent bite and balanced distribution of ingredients.
• For lighter version, swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or olive oil-based dressing.
• Refrigerate salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop deeper taste profile.
• Add fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives for extra freshness and color contrast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 605
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 1025mg
• Fat: 43g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 99mg