This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy
This BLT chicken salad is loaded with juicy shredded chicken, crumbly bacon, ripe cherry tomatoes, and crispy red onion tossed with the creamiest Dijon mayo dressing!
If you love the flavors in this recipe, try my BLT dip next. And if you’re looking for an easy lunch idea, this classic Midwest ham salad is another favorite.
Table of Contents
This recipe combines the flavors of a BLT sandwich with the creamy, tangy flavors of a classic chicken salad. It’s the kind of recipe you want on hand for easy summer lunches when it’s just too hot to turn on the oven! I keep the ingredients simple, but there’s plenty of flavor. Every bite is loaded with tender bites of creamy chicken, crispy bacon, and juicy tomatoes.
Reasons to Love This Creamy BLT Chicken Salad
- It’s ready in minutes. Chop the ingredients, mix up the dressing, and toss everything together in 15 minutes or less.
- Make it ahead. I often make a batch of this chicken salad on the weekend and enjoy the leftovers during the week. It’s great to make ahead for picnics, potlucks, and easy lunches.
- Classic flavors. If you love the combination of salty bacon, juicy tomatoes, and creamy dressing in a classic BLT, you’re going to love them mixed into a satisfying chicken salad!
- Customizable. Technically, this BLT chicken salad skips the lettuce. But you can easily serve it over your favorite salad greens or turn it into a wrap. It’s also a great recipe to adapt with your favorite add-ins, whether that’s spices, more veggies, or fresh herbs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
If you’ve ever made a BLT before, you’re likely already acquainted with most of the ingredients in this chicken salad recipe. I’ve included notes on the important ingredients below. Scroll down to the recipe card for the printable list with amounts.
- Chicken – You can use any cooked chicken (either a whole chicken or chicken breast) and shred it, or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store.
- Bacon – I usually make a quick batch of air fryer bacon and then crumble it. This can be thick-cut, streaky bacon, or any kind you’d like.
- Tomatoes – I like cherry or grape tomatoes since they’re a bit sweeter. You can also dice up larger varieties, like Roma tomatoes.
- Red Onion – Or another sweet onion, like Vidalia.
- Parsley – Freshly chopped.
For the Dressing
- Mayonnaise – You can also substitute plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for a no-mayo chicken salad dressing.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed, or you can use the bottled kind.
- Garlic – Mince up a fresh clove, or substitute ¼-½ teaspoon of garlic powder if needed.
- Dijon Mustard – Yellow mustard will also work.
- Seasonings – Onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
How to Make BLT Chicken Salad
I love chicken salad recipes because they’re super quick and always super satisfying. Here’s how to make a BLT chicken salad in two easy steps. You’ll find the printable recipe in the recipe card below the post.
- Make the dressing. First, whisk the dressing ingredients together in a bowl.
- Put it all together. In a larger bowl, add the shredded chicken, bacon, and salad ingredients. Pour over the dressing and toss everything to coat. That’s it! Refrigerate the chicken salad until you’re ready to serve it.
Easy Variations
These are just a few ways that you can change up the ingredients and flavors in this creamy chicken salad:
- Different dressing. The dressing I use here mimics the flavors you’d find in a classic BLT sandwich (mayo, mustard, etc.), but you can absolutely swap it out for any dressing you’d like! Try homemade ranch dressing, Caesar salad dressing, or Thousand Island dressing for a different flavor profile.
- Bulk it up. Try a variation similar to my chickpea chicken salad and bulk up this bacon and tomato chicken salad with drained and rinsed canned chickpeas.
- Make it spicy. Give your BLT chicken salad a little kick with red chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or jalapeño slices. You could also season the chicken with Cajun seasoning or stir a dash of chili sauce, like Sriracha, into the dressing.
- More add-ins. Replace cherry tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes, and add in more ingredients like diced avocado, halved grapes, diced or shredded cheese, and different herbs, like basil.
Serving Suggestions
I like piling this BLT chicken salad between fluffy rolls or toasted homemade bread slices. It’s like a chicken salad sandwich and a BLT sandwich, all in one! Or, roll it up into a wrap. Serve your sandwich with a side of quinoa salad, potato salad, or crunchy potato chips. You can also spoon this chicken salad over a tossed salad or fresh greens (similar to my BLT salad) with fruit skewers on the side for a light lunch.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover BLT chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s great to make ahead for easy lunches during the week! I also love turning leftovers into a BLT pasta salad. It’s as easy as combining the chicken salad with cooked pasta (any kind) and extra dressing.
More Chicken Salad Recipes
BLT Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 12 ounces cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Dressing
- ⅔ cup Mayo, or Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- In a bowl mix together all of the ingredients for the dressing until well blended and creamy.
- In a large bowl combine chicken, bacon, tomatoes, onion and parsley. Pour over the dressing and mix until well combined.
- Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I created a fun group on Facebook,and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can
share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and
tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS
recipes YOU make!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you
never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Did you know there is a Dinners,
Dishes, and Desserts SHOP? Lots of different E-Books for sale. Or you can buy me a
coffee to say thanks!
.
