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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Transform bacon into crisp, golden fragments through stovetop sizzling or oven-baking. Transfer rendered pieces onto absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess lipids.
- Carefully deconstruct cherry tomatoes into symmetrical halves, transform red onion into delicate miniature cubes, and slice celery into uniform, petite segments.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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