Description
This 15-Minute BLT Chicken Salad Recipe combines crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and tender chicken in a creamy dressing. Perfect for meal prep, quick lunches, or light dinners!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (about 1 pound)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (or 2 medium tomatoes, diced)
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
- 1 large avocado, diced (optional, but highly recommended)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the proteins:
- If you don’t have cooked chicken on hand, season 1 pound of chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill, bake, or poach until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Allow the chicken to cool completely before dicing into bite-sized pieces or shredding.
- Cook the bacon until crispy, then drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
- Make the dressing:
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and dried dill.
- Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the flavors as needed.
- Assemble the salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion (if using).
- Pour the dressing over the ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- If serving immediately, fold in the chopped romaine lettuce and diced avocado. For meal prep, keep these ingredients separate until ready to serve.
- Serve and enjoy:
- Spoon the BLT chicken salad onto plates, in wraps, or between slices of bread.
- Garnish with additional bacon crumbles, freshly ground black pepper, or chopped herbs if desired.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Cook the bacon until extra crispy to ensure it maintains its crunch when mixed with the dressing.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut that adds extra flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise.
- To make ahead, prepare the chicken, bacon, and dressing up to 2 days in advance, then assemble right before serving.
- For extra crunch, add 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, sliced almonds, or sunflower seeds.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep lettuce and avocado separate until serving for best results.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 105
Keywords: BLT chicken salad recipe, easy chicken salad, meal prep salad, bacon chicken salad, low carb salad, quick lunch recipes, protein-packed salad