Creamy BLT Chicken Salad
This Creamy BLT Chicken Salad combines all the classic, beloved flavors of a BLT sandwich—crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh ingredients—in a creamy, delightful salad form. It's incredibly easy to whip up, perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or busy weeknight meal prep, and so memorable you'll be making it on repeat.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula or Large Spoon
- Skillet (for bacon)
- Airtight container
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken chopped. Rotisserie chicken works like a dream here for extra ease, or use leftover grilled or baked chicken.
- 1 pound bacon diced and cooked until crisp. Crisp it up nice and golden for that essential BLT crunch.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved. Grape tomatoes work too!
- ½ small red onion diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise Use your favorite brand, full-fat or light, whatever you prefer.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Gather your goodies: In a large mixing bowl, combine your chopped cooked chicken, the crispy bacon, the halved cherry tomatoes, the finely diced red onion, and the crunchy diced celery.
- Step 2: Whip up the magic dressing: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.
- Step 3: Combine and conquer: Pour the dressing over all the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Gently stir everything with a spatula or large spoon until every piece is beautifully coated.
- Step 4: Serve it up! Dig in right away, piled high on a croissant, tucked into lettuce cups, or served with your favorite crackers. For best flavor, transfer to an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days; do not freeze.
Notes
This salad is wonderfully versatile! Serve it over crisp romaine, butter lettuce, or spinach for extra greens, or toss in some chopped lettuce directly. For a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing. Fresh chopped chives, dill, or parsley are lovely additions. For a lighter version, try half mayo and half Greek yogurt. Diced cucumber, corn, shredded cheddar, or crumbled blue cheese are also delicious additions. Ensure bacon is crispy for essential texture. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Prep chicken and bacon ahead of time to make assembly a breeze. Try to chop all ingredients into similar-sized pieces for consistent texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days; freezing is not recommended due to texture changes.