Description
Savor mouthwatering BLT chicken salad – a delightful fusion of crispy bacon, tender chicken, and fresh greens. Creamy dressing and zesty flavors make this salad a perfect lunch or light dinner that satisfies you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (60 grams) romaine lettuce, chopped
- ¼ cup (40 grams) green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or cayenne (optional)
Dressing and Seasonings:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Additions:
- ½ avocado, diced
- ¼ cup (30 grams) shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Instructions
- Crisp the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease and cool completely.
- Crumble the cooled bacon into small, bite-sized fragments using your fingers or a knife.
- Shred or cube the pre-cooked chicken into uniform pieces to ensure consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Dice fresh cherry tomatoes into quarter-inch pieces, maintaining a balanced size for even distribution.
- Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized ribbons, ensuring no large, unwieldy pieces remain.
- Slice green onions thinly, focusing on the tender green portions for a mild, fresh flavor.
- Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl until the dressing becomes smooth and well-integrated.
- Combine shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, and sliced green onions in a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss using folding motions to ensure even coating without crushing the delicate components.
- For serving, arrange the salad in sandwiches, wrap in tortillas, or present atop a bed of mixed greens for added freshness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Swap bacon for turkey bacon or tempeh to create a lighter, leaner protein option that reduces overall fat content.
- Customize the salad for gluten-free diets by using lettuce wraps instead of bread or serving over mixed greens.
- Mix Greek yogurt with mayonnaise to lower calorie count while maintaining creamy texture and adding extra protein boost.
- Experiment with different herb combinations like fresh dill or basil to elevate the dressing’s flavor profile and add unexpected freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg