BLT Chicken Salad

Introduction & Inspiration

I absolutely love finding creative ways to combine classic flavors, and this BLT Chicken Salad recipe does exactly that! It takes the beloved elements of a classic BLT sandwich – crispy bacon and juicy tomatoes – and mixes them into a creamy, savory chicken salad base. It sounded like the perfect, flavorful twist on traditional chicken salad, ideal for sandwiches, wraps, or enjoying with crackers.

My inspiration came from wanting a chicken salad recipe that was a bit more exciting and texturally interesting than the standard celery-and-mayo version. Incorporating the salty crunch of bacon and the fresh burst of cherry tomatoes seemed like a brilliant way to elevate the humble chicken salad into something truly special.

My goal was to explore this simple yet flavorful recipe and share just how easy it is to create a crowd-pleasing salad that’s perfect for lunches, light dinners, picnics, or potlucks. Using pre-cooked chicken and bacon makes it come together incredibly quickly!

Let’s mix up this delicious fusion of two American classics!

Nostalgic Appeal / Comfort Food Connection

This BLT Chicken Salad beautifully blends the nostalgic appeal of two distinct comfort food classics. Chicken salad itself is a staple of American lunches, picnics, and potlucks, evoking memories of simple sandwiches, deli counters, and comforting, creamy salads. It’s familiar and reliably satisfying.

The BLT sandwich is another icon, beloved for its perfect balance of salty bacon, crisp lettuce (represented here texturally by celery and onion perhaps), juicy tomato, and creamy mayonnaise on toasted bread. The mere mention of “BLT” triggers comforting taste memories for many.

This recipe cleverly marries these two favorites. It offers the creamy, savory satisfaction of chicken salad but elevates it with the undeniably delicious and nostalgic flavors of smoky bacon and fresh tomatoes. It feels both familiar and excitingly new at the same time.

Making and eating this salad feels like enjoying the best of both worlds – a comforting classic infused with the irresistible flavors of another beloved favorite.

Homemade Focus (Simple Mixing, Fresh Ingredients)

This BLT Chicken Salad recipe is a fantastic example of simple homemade assembly resulting in big flavor. While it relies on pre-cooked chicken and bacon for speed and convenience (perfect for leftovers!), the focus is on combining these with fresh vegetables and a simple, homemade dressing.

I love recipes that come together quickly with minimal fuss but taste fresh and vibrant. You’re essentially just chopping some vegetables, whisking together a simple mayonnaise-based dressing, and mixing everything together in one bowl. It’s homemade goodness achieved in minutes.

Making the dressing yourself, even though it’s simple (mayo, lemon juice, seasonings), allows you to control the flavor balance and use quality ingredients. Incorporating fresh cherry tomatoes, celery, and red onion provides essential crunch, freshness, and color that define a great homemade salad.

Even when using cooked protein shortcuts, the act of combining these fresh components and homemade dressing results in a salad that tastes significantly better and fresher than any store-bought deli version.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal of this BLT Chicken Salad is a savory, creamy, smoky, and fresh combination, capturing the essence of both chicken salad and a BLT. It aims for a balance of textures – tender chicken, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, crunchy celery and onion – all coated in a lightly seasoned, tangy mayonnaise dressing.

The cooked chicken provides the hearty, savory protein base.

The crispy, diced bacon is crucial, contributing salty, smoky flavor and delightful crunchy bits throughout the salad.

The halved cherry tomatoes offer bursts of juicy sweetness and acidity, representing the “T” in BLT.

The finely diced celery and red onion provide essential crunch and fresh, aromatic notes (standing in texturally for the “L” – lettuce – of a BLT).

The simple dressing, made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, provides creaminess, tanginess, and seasoning to bind everything together without overpowering the core BLT elements.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the key components of this flavorful salad:

• Cooked chicken, chopped: The protein base. Rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled/baked chicken, or even canned chicken (drained well) works. Chopped allows for better integration than large shreds.
• Bacon, diced and cooked until crisp: Essential for BLT flavor! Cooking it until very crisp ensures it stays somewhat crunchy in the salad. Drain well.
• Cherry tomatoes, cut in half: Provide juicy bursts and sweetness. Grape tomatoes also work. Halving is better than dicing for retaining shape.
• Red onion, diced small: Adds a sharp, pungent bite and crunch. Finely diced incorporates best.
• Celery, diced: Contributes crucial freshness and crunch.
• Mayonnaise (light used in recipe): The creamy binder for the dressing. Use your favorite brand; full-fat works too.
• Lemon juice: Adds essential brightness and tang to the dressing, cutting through the richness. Freshly squeezed is best.
• Salt, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Black pepper: Season the dressing simply, complementing the other ingredients.

Using crispy bacon and fresh tomatoes is key to capturing the BLT vibe.

Essential Equipment

This recipe requires very basic kitchen tools:

• A large bowl: For combining all the salad ingredients.
• A small bowl: For whisking the dressing.
• A whisk or fork: For the dressing.
• A cutting board and knife: For chopping chicken (if needed), dicing bacon (before cooking), halving tomatoes, dicing onion/celery.
• A skillet or baking sheet: For cooking the bacon until crisp.
• Paper towels: For draining the cooked bacon.
• Measuring cups and spoons.

Minimal equipment for a quick and easy salad!

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

• 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (see notes in original post for cooking methods if needed)
• 1 pound bacon, diced and cooked until crisp
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 1/2 small red onion, diced small
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (light used, adjust to preference)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh preferred)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

These quantities make a generous batch of chicken salad, perfect for sandwiches or sharing.

Have chicken cooked/chopped and bacon cooked/crumbled before starting assembly.

Step-by-Step Instructions (Simple Mixing!)

Let’s whip up this flavorful salad:

1. Prepare Base Ingredients:

• Ensure your chicken is cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces.
• Cook the diced bacon in a skillet until very crisp. Drain well on paper towels and crumble if needed.
• Halve the cherry tomatoes, finely dice the red onion, and finely dice the celery.

2. Combine Salad Components:

• In a large bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, crispy cooked bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and diced celery.

3. Make the Dressing:

• In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
• Taste the dressing and add more salt or pepper if needed, being careful not to oversalt initially as bacon is salty.

4. Combine Salad and Dressing:

• Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken, bacon, and vegetable mixture in the large bowl.
• Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

5. Serve or Store:

• Serve the BLT Chicken Salad right away.
• Alternatively, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. (Note the food safety warning: discard if left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours).

Incredibly easy to mix together!

Troubleshooting

Chicken salad is straightforward, but texture and seasoning are key:

• Problem: Salad is too dry.
  • Solution: Add a little more mayonnaise, one tablespoon at a time, until desired creaminess is reached. Ensure chicken wasn’t overly dry to begin with.
• Problem: Salad is too wet.
  • Solution: Ensure bacon was well-drained. Don’t add extra liquid. If using very juicy tomatoes, you could slightly reduce the amount or gently pat them dry after halving.
• Problem: Bacon isn’t crispy after mixing.
  • Solution: Cook the bacon until very crisp initially, as it will soften slightly when mixed with the dressing. Drain fat thoroughly. Adding the bacon just before serving can maximize crispness.
• Problem: Flavor is bland.
  • Solution: Taste and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic/onion powder) in the dressing before mixing. Ensure enough lemon juice for brightness. The flavor also relies on tasty cooked chicken and smoky bacon.

Taste and adjust dressing seasoning before combining!

Tips and Variations

Let’s customize this fun chicken salad:

• Tip: Use leftover rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor and convenience.
• Variation: Add chopped avocado to the salad just before serving for extra creaminess and healthy fats (it will brown if added too far ahead).
• Tip: For less sharp onion flavor, soak the diced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well before adding.
• Variation: Include chopped crisp lettuce (like romaine hearts) directly in the salad for a truer “BLT” experience, but add it just before serving to prevent wilting.
• Tip: Use high-quality, flavorful bacon for the best smoky taste.
• Variation: Substitute plain Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise for a lighter, tangier dressing with more protein.
• Variation: Add other seasonings like a pinch of smoked paprika or dried dill to the dressing.

Get creative with mix-ins and seasonings!

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

BLT Chicken Salad is wonderfully versatile for lunches or light meals.

Serving: Serve chilled.

Ways to Serve:

• Sandwiches: On toasted bread (white, wheat, sourdough), croissants, or soft rolls. Add lettuce leaves if desired.
• Wraps: Rolled up in large flour or whole wheat tortillas.
• Lettuce Wraps: Spooned into crisp lettuce cups (like butter lettuce or romaine hearts) for a low-carb option.
• With Crackers: Serve as a dip/spread with assorted crackers.
• On Salad Greens: Serve a scoop over a bed of mixed greens for a main course salad.
• Stuffed Avocados/Tomatoes: Use as a filling for hollowed-out avocados or large tomatoes.

Perfect for picnics, packed lunches, or easy dinners.

Nutritional Information

This salad is high in protein but also contains fat from mayonnaise and bacon. Nutritional info is approximate (per serving, assuming 4-6 servings):

• Calories: 350-500+ (depends heavily on mayo type/amount and bacon fat content)
• Fat: 25-40+ grams
• Saturated Fat: 5-10+ grams
• Cholesterol: 80-120+ mg
• Sodium: 600-1000+ mg (Bacon and added salt contribute significantly)
• Total Carbs.: 5-10 grams (very low carb)
• Dietary Fiber: 1-3 grams
• Sugars: 2-5 grams
• Protein: 25-35+ grams

High in protein and low in carbohydrates. Fat and sodium content are significant; using light mayo, turkey bacon, and controlling added salt can adjust the profile.

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Let’s conclude with a summary and common questions:

Recipe Summary:

BLT Chicken Salad combines chopped cooked chicken, crispy cooked bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and diced celery in a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, lemon juice, and simple seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder). It captures the flavors of a BLT sandwich in an easy-to-make salad format.

Q&A:

Q: Can I make this ahead of time? A: Yes, this salad is great made ahead! The flavors often meld and improve after chilling for a few hours or overnight.

Q: How long does it keep in the refrigerator? A: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Q: Can I freeze chicken salad? A: Freezing mayonnaise-based salads is generally not recommended as the mayonnaise can separate and become watery/oily upon thawing, negatively affecting the texture.

Q: What’s the best way to cook chicken for chicken salad? A: Poaching, baking, grilling, or using rotisserie chicken all work well. Ensure it’s cooked through, cooled, and then chopped or shredded.

Q: Can I use different vegetables? A: Yes! While onion and celery provide classic crunch, you could add finely diced bell pepper or leave out the celery/onion if preferred, though it will change the BLT feel.