BLT Chicken Salad Recipe
I make this BLT chicken salad on repeat when I need something fast, satisfying, and reliably loved by weeknight crowds and picky eaters alike. It takes everything you like about a classic BLT — crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and sharp onion — and folds it into tender chicken with a bright, simple mayo-lemon dressing. It’s great tossed onto greens, spooned into a sandwich, or packed for lunch.
Why you’ll love this dish
This BLT chicken salad is the kind of recipe that hits multiple needs at once: quick to pull together, flexible for leftovers, and full of contrasting textures — creamy, crunchy, and juicy all in one bite. It’s perfect for a speedy family dinner, a potluck contribution, or a make-ahead lunch that still feels fresh.
"The bacon brings a smoky crunch, the lemon brightens the whole bowl, and it’s ready in minutes — my go-to for easy entertaining."
- Quick: Uses cooked chicken, so prep is mostly chopping and tossing.
- Crowd-pleasing: Familiar flavors make it kid-friendly and potluck-ready.
- Versatile: Serve as a sandwich, on a bed of greens, or tucked into avocado halves.
If you like crunchy chicken salads with bold texture contrasts, you might also enjoy this crunchy chicken recipe as another lunch option: https://mixmirth.com/chicken-cashew-crunch-salad-an-incredible-ultimate-recipe/.
Step-by-step overview
Before you dive in, here’s the simple roadmap so you know what to expect:
- Crisp and dice the bacon. Set it aside to drain.
- Chop the cooked chicken, halve the cherry tomatoes, and dice the onion and celery.
- Whisk the mayo-based dressing with lemon and seasonings until smooth.
- Toss everything together, taste and adjust, then serve right away or chill to meld flavors.
This overview keeps the whole process under 15 minutes if your chicken is pre-cooked.
What you’ll need
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (rotisserie or leftover roast chicken work great)
- 1 pound bacon, diced and cooked until crisp
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, diced small
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (light is fine) — or substitute half Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter dressing
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Notes: If you want extra protein or different texture, swap the cooked chicken for air fryer chicken tenders for a crisp bite: https://mixmirth.com/air-fryer-honey-butter-garlic-chicken-tenders-recipe/.
Step-by-step instructions
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and let cool slightly, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, diced celery, and the cooled bacon.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning — add a little more lemon for brightness or a pinch more salt if needed.
- Serve immediately for maximum bacon crunch, or chill for about an hour to let flavors meld.
Short, clear actions make this easy to follow even when you’re cooking with distractions.
Best ways to enjoy it
- Sandwich: Pile between toasted sourdough or slather on a croissant for a decadent lunch.
- Salad bowl: Spoon over mixed greens and add sliced avocado for a complete meal.
- Wrap or lettuce cups: Use large tortilla wraps or sturdy romaine leaves for low-carb portability.
- Stuffed tomatoes or avocados: Hollow out large tomatoes or avocados and fill for a pretty presentation.
Pair it with a crisp pickle, kettle chips, or a simple green salad and a cold drink for a balanced plate.
Keeping leftovers fresh
- Refrigeration: Store BLT chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Keep a layer of plastic wrap pressed on the surface to limit oxygen exposure.
- Freezing: Mayo-based salads don’t freeze well — separation and texture changes are common. Instead, freeze cooked chicken separately and make the salad fresh later, or freeze cooked components (chicken only) for future use.
- Reheating: This salad is best served cold or at room temperature. If you want warm chicken, reheat just the chicken portion and toss with fresh dressing and crisp bacon.
Food safety note: discard perishable leftovers left at room temperature over 2 hours (1 hour when hot weather).
Pro chef tips
- Keep bacon crisp: Cook bacon slightly under your preferred doneness if you plan to chill the salad; it will crisp slightly when chilled but won’t get soggy as fast if it’s extra-crisp to start.
- Bite-sized pieces: Chop chicken and bacon uniformly for an even mouthful every time.
- Acid balance: Lemon juice brightens but can also flatten if overused; add in small increments and taste.
- Make it lighter: Swap half the mayo for plain Greek yogurt for tang and fewer calories.
- Prep shortcut: Use a rotisserie chicken or leftover roast to save time without sacrificing flavor.
If you want another twist on crunchy, airy chicken salads, this Asian-inspired version is a fun place to explore: https://mixmirth.com/asian-chicken-crunch-salad-a-delightful-culinary-experience-2/.
Creative twists
- Avocado BLT Chicken Salad: Fold in diced avocado just before serving for creaminess.
- Spicy kick: Add a teaspoon of Sriracha or a pinch of cayenne to the dressing.
- Mediterranean twist: Swap lemon for red wine vinegar, add cucumber, olives, and feta.
- Vegetarian swap: Replace chicken with smoked tofu or tempeh and use vegan bacon and mayo.
- Add-ins: Chopped hard-boiled egg, chopped pickles, or a handful of toasted sunflower seeds for extra texture.
These swaps keep the core BLT character while letting you customize for seasonality or dietary needs.
Your questions answered
Q: How long does it take to make this from start to finish?
A: If your chicken is already cooked, plan on 10–15 minutes. Cooking bacon takes 8–12 minutes depending on thickness; chopping and mixing add a few more minutes.
Q: Can I use raw chicken?
A: Not directly. Use cooked chicken (roasted, grilled, or rotisserie). If starting with raw chicken, cook it fully (internal temp 165°F/74°C) before cooling and chopping.
Q: Is it safe to make ahead?
A: Yes — make it up to a day ahead. For best texture, add delicate ingredients like avocado just before serving and keep bacon separate until ready to serve if you want it extra-crispy.
Q: How can I make this dairy-free or lighter?
A: Use a dairy-free mayo or swap half the mayo for plain dairy-free yogurt. Choose turkey bacon or a plant-based bacon alternative if avoiding pork.
Q: Can I scale the recipe up for a crowd?
A: Absolutely. Keep the dressing ratio roughly the same (about 1/2 cup mayo per 3 cups chicken) and adjust seasonings to taste as you scale.
Conclusion
If you want more BLT-style inspiration and variations, check out this Healthy BLT Chicken Salad for lighter swaps and flavor ideas: https://sweetsavoryandsteph.com/healthy-blt-chicken-salad/. For another take on the classic tossed with tender chicken and bright dressing, see this BLT Chicken Salad recipe: https://badbatchbaking.com/blt-chicken-salad/.
Enjoy this salad as an easy weeknight solution or a star at your next gathering — it’s forgiving, fast, and endlessly adaptable.
BLT Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped Rotisserie or leftover roast chicken work great.
- 1 pound bacon, diced and cooked until crisp
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, diced small
- 2 stalks celery, diced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise Light is fine; can substitute half with Greek yogurt.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and let cool slightly, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, diced celery, and the cooled bacon.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
Assembly
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning — add a little more lemon for brightness or a pinch more salt if needed.
- Serve immediately for maximum bacon crunch, or chill for about an hour to let flavors meld.
