Crispy Bacon Chicken Salad

This BLT chicken salad transforms everyone's favorite sandwich into a protein-packed salad that's perfect for meal prep lunches or quick dinners. The combination of crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and tender chicken creates a satisfying dish that delivers all the classic BLT flavors without the bread.

I first made this recipe during a particularly hectic week when I needed quick lunches that wouldn't leave me hungry an hour later. Now it's become my go-to dish whenever I have leftover chicken and want something more exciting than a basic sandwich.

Ingredients

• Cooked chicken: The foundation of our salad and perfect for using up rotisserie chicken or leftovers
• Bacon: Adds that irresistible smoky crunch that makes everything better
• Cherry tomatoes: Their natural sweetness balances the savory elements perfectly
• Red onion: Provides a sharp bite that cuts through the richness
• Celery: Brings essential crunch and freshness to the mix
• Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base for our dressing use light version for fewer calories
• Lemon juice: Brightens everything up with necessary acidity
• Seasonings: The combination of salt garlic powder onion powder and pepper enhances all the flavors

Step-by-Step Instructions

Combine Main Ingredients:

Add your chopped chicken bacon halved cherry tomatoes diced red onion and celery to a large bowl. Make sure your chicken is cooled completely if you've just cooked it to prevent wilting the vegetables. The uniform small dice helps ensure you get a bit of everything in each bite.

Mix The Dressing:

In a separate small bowl whisk together mayonnaise lemon juice salt garlic powder onion powder and black pepper until smooth. Take a small taste and adjust the seasonings if needed remembering you can always add more but can't take away. The dressing should be creamy but not too thick.

Fold Everything Together:

Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently fold everything together until evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix or you'll break down the bacon and tomatoes too much. You want each ingredient to maintain its integrity while being lightly dressed.

Serve Or Store:

Enjoy immediately or transfer to an airtight container for later use. The flavors actually improve after sitting in the refrigerator for about an hour allowing everything to meld together perfectly.

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The bacon truly makes this recipe special. I once tried making it without to save calories but quickly learned that those crispy smoky bits are essential to the BLT experience. Now I sometimes cook extra bacon on Sunday just to have it ready for this salad during the week.

Creative Serving Ideas

This versatile chicken salad works beautifully in multiple presentations. For a low-carb lunch serve it over mixed greens or tucked into lettuce cups for a refreshing wrap. If carbs aren't a concern it makes a delicious sandwich filling especially on toasted bread with extra lettuce for added crunch. For entertaining scoop it into endive leaves or hollow cucumber rounds for an elegant appetizer that disappears quickly.

Make It Your Own

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. Add diced avocado for creaminess and healthy fats or throw in some crumbled blue cheese for a more indulgent flavor profile. Not a fan of mayonnaise? Substitute half or all with Greek yogurt for a tangier protein-packed alternative. For a southwest twist mix in some corn black beans and a dash of cumin.

Storage Tips

While this salad keeps well in the refrigerator remember that food safety is paramount with mayonnaise-based dishes. Always use a clean utensil when serving and never leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours. Store in a shallow container rather than a deep one to help it cool quickly in the refrigerator. If taking to work or a picnic pack with an ice pack to maintain safe temperature.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes

→ How long does BLT Chicken Salad stay fresh?

This BLT Chicken Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. However, if the salad sits out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, any leftovers should be discarded for food safety reasons.

→ Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this salad?

Yes, you can use any type of pre-cooked chicken including rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken, or poached chicken breast. Simply chop it into bite-sized pieces before adding to the salad.

→ What are some serving suggestions for BLT Chicken Salad?

This versatile salad can be served multiple ways: enjoy it on its own for a low-carb meal, wrapped in lettuce leaves for a lighter option, stuffed in a tomato, served on toasted bread as a sandwich, or scooped onto crackers as an appetizer.

→ Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad is perfect for meal prep and actually tastes better after the flavors have had time to blend. Prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

→ What substitutions can I make for the mayonnaise?

If you prefer alternatives to mayonnaise, you can substitute with Greek yogurt, mashed avocado, or a combination of both. These options will change the flavor profile slightly but still provide creaminess to the salad.

→ How can I add more vegetables to this salad?

This salad is very adaptable. Consider adding diced cucumber, avocado chunks, shredded carrots, or even baby spinach leaves to increase the vegetable content and add more texture and nutrients.