If you’re after a lunch that’s wholesome, bright, and guaranteed to spark big smiles, BLT Chicken Salad is about to become your new obsession! Juicy chicken, smoky bacon, bursts of cherry tomato, and a zippy creamy dressing come together in a dish that’s the very definition of craveable. Whether you pile it onto toasted bread or scoop it up with crunchy veggies, this is the sort of salad you’ll look forward to all week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the BLT vibes, plus protein: You get all the best flavors of a BLT sandwich—smoky bacon, ripe tomato, and crisp lettuce—with juicy chicken that makes it more satisfying and meal-worthy.
- Quick and easy to toss together: With pre-cooked chicken and a handful of simple ingredients, BLT Chicken Salad comes together in minutes—perfect for busy days.
- Versatile for lunchboxes or gatherings: Serve it on sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or as a scoopable dip with crackers; there’s no wrong way to enjoy it!
- Lightened up and creamy: Greek yogurt provides a tangy, protein-rich dressing that’s lighter than classic mayo, without skimping on flavor or richness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of my favorite things about BLT Chicken Salad is the short, deliciously purposeful ingredient list. Each item brings its own texture, flavor, or creamy bite—together, they create the magic! Here’s how every component shines in the mix.
- Chicken breast: Using cooked, shredded or chopped chicken provides hearty bite and protein—rotisserie chicken works wonders for convenience.
- Sweet onion: Adds a subtle crunch and gentle aromatic sweetness, without overpowering the other flavors.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their juicy bursts bring that classic BLT juiciness and a gorgeous pop of color.
- Bacon: No BLT is complete without crispy, smoky bacon bits—cook it as crispy as you like!
- Celery: For bright, refreshing crunch in every bite—you’ll miss it if you skip it.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Makes the dressing creamy, tangy, and protein-packed, lightening things up while keeping the richness.
- Mayonnaise: A little bit rounds out the dressing, giving it that classic creamy mouthfeel.
- Garlic powder & onion powder: Enhances the savoriness, tying all the ingredients together.
- Salt & black pepper: Season to taste—they elevate all the bright, savory flavors!
- Bread, romaine lettuce, crackers or chips (for serving): How you enjoy your BLT Chicken Salad is totally up to you—sandwich, wrap, or crunchy dipper.
Variations
This BLT Chicken Salad is ridiculously adaptable! Whether you’re working with what’s in your fridge, planning for dietary needs, or just feeling creative, here are a few ways to put your own twist on it.
- Swap the protein: Try rotisserie turkey or leftover grilled chicken for a fun flavor swap or to use up what you have on hand.
- Make it dairy-free: Use your favorite plain non-dairy yogurt in place of Greek yogurt for a creamy, tangy dressing without the dairy.
- Add avocado: For an extra layer of richness and healthy fats, gently fold in diced avocado just before serving.
- Bring on the herbs: Sprinkle in fresh chopped chives, parsley or basil for a garden-fresh pop.
- Spicy kick: A dash of hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes makes this salad sing for spice lovers.
How to Make BLT Chicken Salad
Step 1: Mix Up the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mixing the dressing separately ensures the spices and seasoning are evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired—you want it to be zippy and just a little tangy!
Step 2: Toss Together the Salad Base
Grab a large bowl and add your cooked, shredded chicken, sweet onion, cherry tomatoes, chopped bacon, and celery. The variety of textures—juicy tomatoes, crisp celery, and tender chicken—make every bite interesting!
Step 3: Combine and Taste
Spoon the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently fold everything together until well mixed without crushing the tomatoes too much. Have a little taste and add a bit more yogurt, mayo, salt, or pepper if you want an even creamier texture or bolder flavor.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Your BLT Chicken Salad is ready! Scoop it into lettuce cups, tuck it into a sandwich, roll it into a wrap, or serve with crackers and fresh veggies for dipping. It’s delicious straight from the bowl, too—no judgment!
Pro Tips for Making BLT Chicken Salad
- Bacon, Your Way: Bake bacon on a sheet tray for even crisping, and let it cool before chopping to get perfect crunchy bites that won’t get soggy in the salad.
- Chicken Prep Shortcut: Use leftover baked, grilled, or rotisserie chicken for speedy assembly—or even poach chicken breasts for extra moist results.
- Flavor Boost: For an herby kick, stir in a handful of chopped fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or basil just before serving.
- Make Ahead for Ease: Mix the salad base and dressing separately up to a day ahead, then combine just before serving for ultimate freshness and crunch.
How to Serve BLT Chicken Salad
Garnishes
Finish your BLT Chicken Salad with a sprinkle of fresh cracked black pepper, a handful of chopped parsley or chives, or an extra dusting of crispy bacon bits for double the bacon joy!
Side Dishes
This salad is especially happy surrounded by crunchy kettle chips, fresh fruit, a light soup, or your favorite pickles. It also shines alongside a simple green salad for an extra-veg moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon BLT Chicken Salad into crisp romaine leaves for lunch wraps, stuff it into hollowed-out tomatoes for a wow-worthy party bite, or make pretty crostini for elegant snacking. For picnics, present it in mason jars layered with extra lettuce!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
BLT Chicken Salad will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld even more if you let it chill, but for the best crunchy texture, serve within a day of mixing.
Freezing
This salad doesn’t freeze well—creamy dressings and fresh veggies tend to lose their texture after thawing. For make-ahead success, prep the chicken, bacon, and dressing, and freeze them separately, then assemble fresh.
Reheating
No reheating needed—BLT Chicken Salad is delicious served cold or at cool room temperature. If it’s been in the fridge, let it sit out for 10-15 minutes to take off the chill before serving.
FAQs
-
Can I use rotisserie chicken for BLT Chicken Salad?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken makes prep even faster and infuses the salad with lots of savory flavor—just be sure to remove the skin for the best texture.
-
How can I make this salad gluten-free?
BLT Chicken Salad is naturally gluten-free as long as your bacon and other mix-ins don’t contain gluten—simply serve it in lettuce cups or with gluten-free crackers, instead of bread.
-
What’s the best way to meal prep BLT Chicken Salad?
Prepare the salad base and the dressing separately, then combine right before serving. If prepping fully ahead of time, keep chopped tomatoes and bacon aside and mix in at the last minute for best texture.
-
Can I use turkey bacon or plant-based bacon in this recipe?
Yes—turkey bacon or your favorite plant-based bacon work well for a lighter or vegetarian BLT Chicken Salad. Just be sure to crisp them up well for the most flavor and crunch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a meal that brings a smile to every bite, don’t miss this BLT Chicken Salad. It’s satisfying, fresh, and just a little bit nostalgic—give it a try and make it your own. You might just find yourself craving it for lunch every single week!
Print
BLT Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing, Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A delightful twist on the classic BLT sandwich, this BLT Chicken Salad combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy dressing for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded or chopped
- 1/3 cup sweet onion, diced small
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, diced small
For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt, more to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, more to taste
For Serving:
- Bread
- Romaine lettuce
- Crackers or chips
Instructions
- In a small bowl, prepare the dressing: Combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, mix the salad ingredients: Combine chicken, onion, tomatoes, bacon, and celery.
- Add the dressing: Gently combine the dressing with the salad ingredients until well mixed. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Enjoy the BLT Chicken Salad as a sandwich, wrap, lettuce cup, over a salad, or with crackers and veggies.
Notes
- If starting with raw chicken, bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Bake bacon alongside the chicken until desired crispness, checking at 20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
