Name: BLT Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded; 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; Salt and pepper to taste; Optional: green onions or chives for garnish

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There’s just something magical about the combination of crispy turkey bacon, juicy chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, and cool, crunchy lettuce. And when you bring all of those BLT flavors together into a chicken salad? Total. Lunch. Upgrade.

This BLT Chicken Salad is creamy, crunchy, savory, and fresh all at once. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you excited for lunch—whether you’re scooping it onto toast, tucking it into a wrap, or eating it straight off the spoon (no shame). It’s super quick to make, perfect for meal prep, and totally customizable. I’m pretty sure once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat.

I first made this salad on a busy weekday when I had some leftover grilled chicken and a few strips of turkey bacon hanging out in the fridge. I tossed everything together with a little yogurt and mayo, added some crunchy lettuce and fresh tomatoes, and… wow. Instant classic. It was so good that I made it again the next day—on purpose this time. And now it’s one of my go-to recipes whenever I want something easy but so satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast and Easy: You can have this salad ready in 20 minutes or less. It’s mostly chopping and stirring—so simple.
Great for Meal Prep: Make a batch and enjoy it for lunch all week. It holds up well in the fridge and tastes even better after the flavors mingle a bit.
Perfectly Balanced: You get richness from the dressing, crunch from the lettuce and turkey bacon, and brightness from the tomatoes.
Light but Filling: Thanks to the lean chicken and protein-packed Greek yogurt, this is a healthy, hearty option that won’t weigh you down.
Customizable: Swap ingredients based on what you have—use rotisserie chicken, add avocado, or throw in some shredded carrots for extra crunch.

Preparation Time and Servings

Total Time:
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook (if needed): 10 minutes

Servings: 4 generous servings

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: ~360
Protein: 30g
Carbs: 8g
Fat: 22g

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this fresh, creamy chicken salad with a BLT twist:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (grilled, roasted, or rotisserie all work great)
4 strips turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup chopped romaine lettuce (or iceberg, for extra crunch)
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional, but adds a nice bite)
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons mayo (optional—adds richness, but you can skip it if you prefer)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice (for brightness)
Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish (optional)

Ingredient Notes:

Chicken: Leftover grilled or roasted chicken is perfect. If you’re in a pinch, canned chicken or store-bought rotisserie works too.
Turkey Bacon: This gives you all that smoky, savory flavor—minus the pork. Crisp it up well for maximum crunch!
Greek Yogurt: Keeps the salad creamy and light. You can use all yogurt or a mix of yogurt and mayo.
Lettuce: Add it just before serving so it stays crisp.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the turkey bacon.

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey bacon strips and cook until crispy, about 3–4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.

Tip: If you’re cooking a big batch, you can also bake the bacon on a sheet pan at 400°F for 10–12 minutes.

2. Prep your veggies and chicken.

Halve the cherry tomatoes.
Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
Dice the red onion (if using).
Shred or chop the cooked chicken.

Helpful hint: If your chicken is a little dry, mix it with a splash of lemon juice before adding the dressing—it’ll perk it right up.

3. Make the creamy dressing.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

1/3 cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons mayo
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. A little extra lemon or a pinch of garlic powder can give it an extra boost!

4. Assemble the salad.

To the bowl with the dressing, add:

Shredded chicken
Crumbled turkey bacon
Chopped lettuce
Cherry tomatoes
Red onion (if using)

Gently stir everything together until well combined and evenly coated.

Pro Tip: Wait to add the lettuce if you’re making this ahead—it stays much crisper that way.

5. Serve and enjoy!

Spoon into lettuce cups, pile it onto toasted bread, wrap it in a tortilla, or eat it straight from the bowl with a fork. However you serve it, it’s going to be delicious!

How to Serve

Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy this BLT Chicken Salad:

Classic sandwich: Pile it high on toasted sourdough or whole grain bread.
Lettuce wraps: Serve in crisp butter lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
Wrap-style: Roll it up in a tortilla with some extra greens.
On crackers: Great for snacking or party appetizers.
Stuffed in pita: Add a few cucumber slices and enjoy it Mediterranean-style.

Extra Tips for Success

Use cold chicken: This makes mixing easier and helps the salad stay chilled and fresh-tasting.
Don’t skip the lemon juice: It adds just the right tang and balances the creamy dressing.
Wait to add the lettuce: Mix everything else first, and stir in the lettuce just before serving to keep it crisp.
Chop small: Bite-sized pieces of everything = easier to eat and better flavor in every bite.
Season well: Don’t forget to taste as you go. A little extra salt, pepper, or lemon can really make this pop.

Recipe Variations

Want to change things up? Try one of these easy variations:

Avocado BLT Chicken Salad: Add diced avocado or a scoop of guac for creaminess and healthy fats.
Spicy version: Add chopped pickled jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
Egg BLT Salad: Toss in a hard-boiled egg for an extra protein boost.
Herbed twist: Mix in fresh dill, basil, or cilantro to brighten things up.
No mayo version: Use only Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier flavor.

Freezing and Storage

This salad is best eaten fresh or within a few days—but it stores beautifully!

Fridge: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Wait to add lettuce until serving time.
Freezer: Not recommended. The dairy and lettuce don’t freeze well.
Meal prep tip: Keep the lettuce and dressing separate until you’re ready to eat for max crunch.

Special Equipment

You don’t need much to make this, but here are a few tools that’ll make it even easier:

Sharp knife – for chopping chicken and veggies
Mixing bowl – for combining everything
Whisk or fork – for mixing the dressing
Skillet or oven – for cooking the turkey bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! It’s one of the easiest shortcuts and works great here.

What can I use instead of turkey bacon?
You can use beef bacon or even crispy beef sausage slices if preferred. Just make sure it’s well-cooked and crisp.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative and skip the mayo, or use a vegan mayo.

What if I don’t like Greek yogurt?
You can use all mayo, or a mix of mayo and sour cream for a more traditional creamy dressing.

Can I make it ahead of time?
Totally! Just keep the lettuce separate and stir it in right before serving.

How do I keep the salad from getting watery?
Use a dry lettuce like romaine, and avoid overmixing. If storing, layer the lettuce on top instead of mixing it in.

What’s the best way to serve this to kids?
Try it in soft pita bread or wrapped up in a tortilla with a little shredded cheese—they’ll love it.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Just be sure to serve it with gluten-free bread, crackers, or wraps.

Can I double the recipe?
Of course—this is a great one to scale up for meal prep or feeding a crowd.

Can I add cheese?
Definitely! A little shredded cheddar or crumbled feta is delicious in this salad.

Conclusion

There you have it—your new go-to lunch: BLT Chicken Salad. It’s quick, creamy, crunchy, and just straight-up crave-worthy. Whether you’re making it for meal prep, a weekend picnic, or just a quick and satisfying lunch, it’s always a hit.

If you make this salad, I’d love to see how it turns out! Snap a pic and tag me on Instagram or drop a comment below—I seriously love hearing from you.