Description
Creamy BLT chicken salad combines crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and fresh lettuce in a tangy dressing. Delightful summer meal perfect for picnics or quick lunches that satisfies hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken, shredded or diced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ avocado, diced
- 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (60 g) romaine lettuce, chopped
- ¼ cup (25 g) green onions, sliced
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- ¼ cup (30 g) shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or cayenne
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and crunchy, rendering fat completely for maximum flavor intensity.
- Chicken and Vegetable Composition: Dice pre-cooked chicken into uniform pieces, then chop tomatoes (seeds removed), tear romaine lettuce, and mince green onions into fine rings.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl, blending until smooth and well-integrated.
- Salad Assembly: Combine chicken, bacon crumbles, tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions in a large mixing bowl, gently folding to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Final Touch: Pour prepared dressing over the salad, using a light folding motion to coat ingredients thoroughly without breaking delicate components.
- Serving Suggestions: Present the BLT chicken salad nestled in a wrap, between toasted bread slices, or atop a crisp green salad base for a versatile and satisfying meal experience.
Notes
- Optimize Bacon Crispness: Cook bacon slowly on medium-low heat to ensure maximum crunchiness without burning, rendering fat completely for rich flavor and perfect texture.
- Control Moisture Balance: Remove tomato seeds and pat ingredients dry to prevent salad from becoming watery, maintaining crisp and fresh consistency.
- Elevate Dressing Flavor: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly and let sit for 10-15 minutes before mixing to allow flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or avocado for a lighter version, use turkey bacon for reduced fat, or make it gluten-free by serving in lettuce wraps instead of bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg