Make Your Sunny Day Brighter with This BLT Chicken Salad Recipe

Summer’s heat calls for a refreshing blt salad with chicken that breaks all the usual lunch routine rules.

Crisp bacon bits dance across leafy greens, creating a crunchy symphony of flavors.

Tender grilled chicken provides lean protein that keeps you satisfied and energized.

Juicy tomatoes burst with sweetness, complementing the salty bacon perfectly.

Creamy dressing weaves through each ingredient, binding the elements into a delightful culinary experience.

Homemade croutons add an extra layer of texture that makes this salad extraordinary.

Rich in nutrients and bursting with bold flavors, you’ll want to savor every single bite of this mouthwatering creation.

BLT Salad With Chicken That’s Crisp And Satisfying

• Customize with Ease: Swap chicken for any protein or make it vegetarian by adding grilled tofu or chickpeas.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Prepare everything in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious, nutritious meal.
• Balanced Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with lean protein from chicken, healthy fats from avocado, and crisp vegetables for a complete, satisfying dish.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Elevate your salad game with simple, gourmet ingredients that taste like a premium restaurant creation without the hefty price tag.

BLT Chicken Salad Ingredient List

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein source that adds substance to the salad, best when grilled or pan-seared for maximum flavor.
• Bacon: Crispy, salty meat that provides a rich, smoky taste and crunchy texture to the dish.

• Romaine Lettuce, Red Onion: Crisp base for the salad, providing a fresh and crunchy foundation.
• Tomatoes, Avocado: Juicy and creamy elements that add moisture and healthy fats to the salad.

• Olive Oil, Vinegar: Create a light and tangy base for the dressing.
• Mustard, Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Provide depth of flavor and seasoning to both the dressing and chicken.

How to Assemble BLT Salad with Chicken

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk these ingredients in a small bowl until they form a smooth, vibrant mixture.

Step 2: Sizzle the Chicken

Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Grill or pan-sear on medium heat, cooking each side for 5-6 minutes until the meat is perfectly cooked through.

Allow the chicken to rest briefly, then slice into delectable strips.

Step 3: Build the Salad Foundation

• Crisp romaine lettuce
• Juicy tomatoes
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Creamy avocado chunks

Arrange these ingredients to create a colorful and fresh base.

Step 4: Add Protein Power

Layer the sliced chicken on top of the salad.

Sprinkle crumbled bacon for an extra punch of flavor and crunch.

Step 5: Dress and Devour

Drizzle the prepared zesty dressing over the salad.

Gently toss to ensure every bite is coated with deliciousness.

Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of flavors!

BLT Salad Tips Using Chicken Bits

• Experiment with different vinegars like apple cider or balsamic to add unique tangy notes to your salad.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy for a satisfying crunch, or keep it slightly softer if you prefer a chewier texture.
• Replace chicken with grilled shrimp, tofu, or hard-boiled eggs for versatile meal variations.
• Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain its vibrant green color and creamy texture.
• Skip the croutons and use lettuce as a base for a keto-friendly version of this classic salad.

BLT Salad With Chicken That Keeps Its Crunch

• Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy lettuce.
• Store chicken, bacon, and vegetables in different compartments to maintain freshness and crisp textures.
• Gently warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in short 15-second intervals to prevent drying out.
• Add fresh bacon bits and crisp lettuce when serving leftovers to restore the original salad's crunch and flavor.

Crisp And Fresh With BLT Salad

• Elevate Flavor Combinations: Select crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to complement the salad's tangy and fresh profile.
• Boost Texture Contrast: Pair with crusty sourdough bread to add crunch and soak up the delicious vinaigrette dressing.
• Enhance Protein Balance: Serve alongside chilled cucumber gazpacho to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the grilled chicken and bacon.
• Amplify Taste Harmony: Choose a light, citrusy craft beer like wheat ale to cut through the richness of bacon and balance the salad's zesty elements.

BLT Salad Protein Combos

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh, seasoned with same spices for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap romaine for mixed greens, use sugar-free dressing, increase bacon and avocado portions, eliminate onions to reduce carbs.
• Mediterranean Remix: Substitute bacon with crispy prosciutto, add crumbled feta cheese, use lemon-herb dressing instead of mustard vinaigrette.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use turkey bacon, reduce salt in seasoning, replace regular salt with herb blend, choose low-sodium mustard for dressing.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of lettuce?

Yes, you can substitute romaine with mixed greens, butter lettuce, or arugula for variety and different flavor profiles.

• How can I make this salad vegetarian?

Replace chicken with grilled tofu or chickpeas, and use vegetarian bacon alternatives like tempeh bacon or coconut bacon bits.

• What if I don't have a grill or don't want to grill chicken?

You can easily pan-sear the chicken in a skillet or bake it in the oven at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes until it reaches 165°F internal temperature.

• Is this salad low-carb friendly?

Absolutely! This BLT salad is naturally low-carb and can be part of a keto or low-carbohydrate diet, with high protein from chicken and healthy fats from avocado and bacon.

BLT Salad with Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp lettuce cradles succulent chicken and smoky bacon in this mouthwatering BLT Salad with Chicken. Zesty dressing and fresh ingredients blend perfectly, delivering a satisfying meal that will delight you with its classic flavor combinations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Main Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or feta cheese (optional)

Vegetables and Produce:

• 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional)
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty vinaigrette by vigorously blending olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and seasoning until smooth and well-integrated.
2. Generously season chicken breast with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then cook on a hot grill or skillet, ensuring even browning and thorough internal cooking for approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
3. Allow cooked chicken to rest briefly, then slice into elegant, uniform strips that will complement the salad’s texture.
4. In a spacious mixing vessel, layer crisp romaine lettuce as a verdant foundation, followed by vibrant diced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and creamy avocado chunks.
5. Enhance the salad’s protein profile by arranging sliced chicken and crispy, crumbled bacon across the verdant landscape.
6. Elevate the dish’s flavor profile by delicately drizzling the prepared vinaigrette over the salad components, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is lightly coated and harmoniously seasoned.
7. Serve immediately to preserve the salad’s optimal temperature and textural integrity, presenting a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Customize the dressing by swapping white vinegar with tangy apple cider vinegar for extra depth of flavor.
• Cook bacon until perfectly crisp by using a wire rack over a baking sheet in the oven, ensuring even crunchiness without excess grease.
• Prevent avocado from browning by adding it just before serving and tossing gently with a bit of lemon juice.
• Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free mustard and checking bacon ingredients for hidden wheat-based additives.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 90mg