BLT Chicken Salad – A Creamy, Crunchy, Protein-Packed Classic with a Flavor Twist

Introduction

If you love the savory, crispy, juicy flavors of a classic BLT sandwich, then prepare to fall in love with this BLT Chicken Salad—a protein-packed, creamy, and utterly satisfying salad twist on the lunch favorite. With crispy bacon, tender chunks of chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes, and the crunch of celery and red onion, this dish transforms the classic sandwich into a versatile, meal-prep-friendly masterpiece.

This salad is rich and creamy without being heavy, thanks to a light mayonnaise dressing enhanced with lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder. It’s great served on lettuce wraps, stuffed in a sandwich, spooned over toast, or scooped up with crackers. You can serve it cold, straight from the fridge, and it tastes even better the next day.

Hungry for more high-protein lunch ideas or low-carb comfort foods? Check out our ever-growing lunch collection at recipeservice.net — where flavor meets functionality.

🛒 Ingredients

🍗 Meat

• 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded (rotisserie or grilled preferred)

🥬 Produce

• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ small red onion, finely chopped
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder

🧂 Condiments & Spices

• ½ cup light mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

👨‍🍳 Directions

🔥 Step 1: Cook the Bacon

1. Cook 1 lb of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
2. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
3. Once cooled, chop or crumble into bite-sized pieces.

🍗 Step 2: Prep the Chicken

• Use leftover grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or poached breasts.
• Dice or shred into bite-sized pieces to total about 3 cups.

Tip: Rotisserie chicken adds depth and moisture to the salad.

🥗 Step 3: Chop and Mix the Vegetables

1. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes.
2. Dice 2 celery stalks and ½ small red onion finely.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, bacon, celery, onion, and tomatoes.

🥣 Step 4: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• ½ cup light mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Mix until smooth and creamy.

🥄 Step 5: Combine & Chill

1. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture.
2. Stir gently to combine, ensuring everything is well coated.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors develop.

🍽️ Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes (bacon)
• Chill Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~55 minutes

🥪 Serving Suggestions

• Serve in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
• Spoon onto toasted sourdough or ciabatta bread for a hearty sandwich.
• Top over a bed of greens as a salad.
• Make wraps or pita pockets for lunch-on-the-go.
• Serve as a dip with crackers or veggie sticks for parties.

🧑‍🍳 Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeños to the dressing.
• Add Avocado: Dice in ½ an avocado just before serving.
• Keto-Friendly: Use full-fat mayo and skip tomatoes if desired.
• Greek Twist: Add crumbled feta and a splash of red wine vinegar.
• Herbaceous: Mix in fresh dill, parsley, or chives for extra brightness.

🧊 Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Refrigerator:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Make-Ahead Tips:

• Chop veggies and cook bacon a day ahead.
• Stir dressing in a jar and mix right before serving.

Meal Prep:

• Divide into 4–6 containers with greens or bread on the side.
• Great for lunchboxes and picnic-style meals.

❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use canned chicken?

Yes, but be sure to drain it well. Rotisserie or grilled chicken offers better flavor and texture.

2. Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! It actually tastes better after chilling for 30+ minutes.

3. Is this recipe keto or low-carb?

Yes, especially when served in lettuce wraps or on its own.

4. How do I make it dairy-free?

This recipe is naturally dairy-free—just make sure your mayo is too.

5. Can I use turkey bacon?

Absolutely! It’s a leaner option and still gives a smoky flavor.

6. How long will this keep in the fridge?

Up to 3 days when stored properly.

7. Can I freeze this salad?

Not recommended. The mayo-based dressing and fresh vegetables don’t thaw well.

8. What other protein can I use?

Try shredded turkey, diced ham, or even canned salmon.

9. How do I keep the salad from getting watery?

Pat your veggies dry and don’t add salt until right before serving if making ahead.

10. Can I serve this warm?

This is best served cold or at room temperature. Heating may cause the mayo to separate.

📝 Conclusion

This BLT Chicken Salad combines everything you love about a classic BLT with the protein power of chicken and the creamy comfort of a chilled salad. It’s fresh, crunchy, satisfying, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re prepping lunches for the week or feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe delivers big on flavor with minimal fuss.

Looking for more easy meal prep ideas or low-carb recipes with big taste? Head over to recipeservice.net and explore our collection of tried-and-true favorites.

Adam

BLT Chicken Salad – A Creamy, Crunchy, Protein-Packed Classic with a Flavor Twist

If you love the savory, crispy, juicy flavors of a classic BLT sandwich, then prepare to fall in love with this BLT Chicken Salad—a protein-packed, creamy, and utterly satisfying salad twist on the lunch favorite. With crispy bacon, tender chunks of chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes, and the crunch of celery and red onion, this dish transforms the classic sandwich into a versatile, meal-prep-friendly masterpiece. This salad is rich and creamy without being heavy, thanks to a light mayonnaise dressing enhanced with lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder. It’s great served on lettuce wraps, stuffed in a sandwich, spooned over toast, or scooped up with crackers. You can serve it cold, straight from the fridge, and it tastes even better the next day. Hungry for more high-protein lunch ideas or low-carb comfort foods? Check out our ever-growing lunch collection at recipeservice.net — where flavor meets functionality.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Chill Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍗 Meat

• 1 lb bacon cooked and crumbled
• 3 cups cooked chicken diced or shredded (rotisserie or grilled preferred)

🥬 Produce

• 2 stalks celery finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• ½ small red onion finely chopped
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder

🧂 Condiments & Spices

• ½ cup light mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Method

 

🔥 Step 1: Cook the Bacon

1. Cook 1 lb of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
2. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
3. Once cooled, chop or crumble into bite-sized pieces.

🍗 Step 2: Prep the Chicken

1. Use leftover grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or poached breasts.
2. Dice or shred into bite-sized pieces to total about 3 cups.
3. Tip: Rotisserie chicken adds depth and moisture to the salad.

🥗 Step 3: Chop and Mix the Vegetables

1. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes.
2. Dice 2 celery stalks and ½ small red onion finely.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, bacon, celery, onion, and tomatoes.

🥣 Step 4: Make the Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together:
2. ½ cup light mayonnaise
3. 1 tbsp lemon juice
4. ½ tsp garlic powder
5. ½ tsp onion powder
6. ½ tsp salt
7. ¼ tsp black pepper
8. Mix until smooth and creamy.

🥄 Step 5: Combine & Chill

1. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture.
2. Stir gently to combine, ensuring everything is well coated.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors develop.

Notes

🥪 Serving Suggestions
Serve in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Spoon onto toasted sourdough or ciabatta bread for a hearty sandwich.

Top over a bed of greens as a salad.

Make wraps or pita pockets for lunch-on-the-go.

Serve as a dip with crackers or veggie sticks for parties.

🧑‍🍳 Variations
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeños to the dressing.

Add Avocado: Dice in ½ an avocado just before serving.

Keto-Friendly: Use full-fat mayo and skip tomatoes if desired.

Greek Twist: Add crumbled feta and a splash of red wine vinegar.

Herbaceous: Mix in fresh dill, parsley, or chives for extra brightness.

🧊 Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Make-Ahead Tips:
Chop veggies and cook bacon a day ahead.

Stir dressing in a jar and mix right before serving.

Meal Prep:
Divide into 4–6 containers with greens or bread on the side.

Great for lunchboxes and picnic-style meals.

❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, but be sure to drain it well. Rotisserie or grilled chicken offers better flavor and texture.

2. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It actually tastes better after chilling for 30+ minutes.

3. Is this recipe keto or low-carb?
Yes, especially when served in lettuce wraps or on its own.

4. How do I make it dairy-free?
This recipe is naturally dairy-free—just make sure your mayo is too.

5. Can I use turkey bacon?
Absolutely! It’s a leaner option and still gives a smoky flavor.

6. How long will this keep in the fridge?
Up to 3 days when stored properly.

7. Can I freeze this salad?
Not recommended. The mayo-based dressing and fresh vegetables don’t thaw well.

8. What other protein can I use?
Try shredded turkey, diced ham, or even canned salmon.

9. How do I keep the salad from getting watery?
Pat your veggies dry and don’t add salt until right before serving if making ahead.

10. Can I serve this warm?
This is best served cold or at room temperature. Heating may cause the mayo to separate.

📝 Conclusion
This BLT Chicken Salad combines everything you love about a classic BLT with the protein power of chicken and the creamy comfort of a chilled salad. It’s fresh, crunchy, satisfying, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re prepping lunches for the week or feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe delivers big on flavor with minimal fuss.

Looking for more easy meal prep ideas or low-carb recipes with big taste? Head over to recipeservice.net and explore our collection of tried-and-true favorites.