Description
BLT chicken salad combines crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and fresh lettuce in a delightful summer dish. Creamy dressing and ripe tomatoes complete this classic American favorite with a satisfying flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 mL/16 fl oz) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup (150 g/5.3 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (60 g/2.1 oz) romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup (120 mL/4 fl oz) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- ¼ cup (40 g/1.4 oz) green onions, sliced
- ½ avocado, diced
- ¼ cup (30 g/1 oz) shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or cayenne (optional)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Sizzle bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden, then transfer to a paper towel to drain and cool completely.
- Ingredient Assembly: Crumble cooled bacon, shred chicken, dice cherry tomatoes, chop romaine lettuce, and slice green onions into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-blended.
- Salad Composition: Gently combine chicken, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions in a large bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Final Touch: Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad, folding carefully to coat all components without compromising their delicate texture.
- Serving Suggestions: Present the salad as a sandwich filling, wrap in tortillas, or elegantly serve atop a vibrant bed of mixed greens for a refreshing meal option.
Notes
- Bacon Crispness Control: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to achieve golden brown color without burning, ensuring maximum crunchiness and flavor retention.
- Chicken Selection Strategy: Use rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken for enhanced taste and convenient preparation, saving time without compromising quality.
- Dressing Consistency Technique: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create smooth, well-blended sauce that coats ingredients evenly without clumping.
- Temperature Balance Tip: Allow bacon and chicken to cool completely before mixing to prevent wilting lettuce and maintain salad’s crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg