Irresistible BLT Chicken Salad Recipe Ready in 15 Minutes

Name: Irresistible BLT Chicken Salad Recipe Ready in 15 Minutes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded; 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

Author: Carry

Published: July 12, 2025

Updated: July 18, 2025

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Let me tell you about my absolute favorite lunchtime lifesaver – this BLT chicken salad! It’s everything you love about a classic BLT sandwich, but transformed into a fresh, satisfying salad that comes together in minutes. I first stumbled upon this combo during a busy week when I needed to use up leftover rotisserie chicken. That accidental experiment turned into a regular craving – the crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and cool lettuce mixed with tender chicken just hits all the right notes. What I love most is how it feels indulgent (hello, bacon!) while still being light enough that I don’t crash after eating it. Perfect for picnics, quick dinners, or meal prep – this recipe never lets me down.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This BLT Chicken Salad

This isn’t just another chicken salad – here’s why it’s special:

Speed demon: Ready in under 15 minutes with simple no-cook steps (thank you, rotisserie chicken!)
Flavor bomb: The perfect balance of smoky bacon, bright lemon, and sweet tomatoes
Texture heaven: Crispy lettuce and crunchy bacon against tender chicken
Meal prep magic: Tastes even better chilled, making it ideal for packed lunches
Crowd-pleaser: Equally perfect for casual weeknights and fancy brunches

Trust me – one bite and you’ll understand why this became my most-made salad recipe last summer!

BLT Chicken Salad Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this flavor-packed salad – and yes, every ingredient matters!

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works beautifully here)
4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled into bite-sized pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or quartered if they’re large)
2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into ribbons (about 1/2-inch wide)
1/4 cup mayonnaise (the real stuff – none of that salad dressing nonsense!)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (bottled just doesn’t give the same bright pop)
1/2 tsp salt (I use kosher – it distributes better)
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked if you can

Pro tip: Have everything prepped and ready before mixing – it makes assembly a breeze!

How to Make BLT Chicken Salad

Alright, let’s get into the fun part – assembling this beauty! I promise it’s so easy you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with complicated recipes. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have restaurant-quality BLT chicken salad in no time.

Preparing the Dressing

First things first – grab a small bowl for your dressing. Combine that glorious mayonnaise with fresh lemon juice (please squeeze it right before using – it makes all the difference!), salt, and pepper. Now whisk it like you mean it! You want everything fully incorporated until it’s smooth and creamy with no streaks of lemon juice visible. This ensures every bite gets balanced flavor.

Combining the Salad

In your largest mixing bowl, gently toss together the shredded chicken, crispy bacon bits, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped romaine. Here’s the key – use your hands or salad tongs to fold everything together lightly. You’re not kneading bread here! Overmixing will crush the lettuce and make it limp. Just a few turns until everything looks evenly distributed.

Now drizzle that luscious dressing over the top and give it another gentle toss. I like to start with about 3/4 of the dressing, then add more if needed – you can always add dressing but you can’t take it away! The salad should be lightly coated, not drowning.

For best results? Pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before serving. This lets the flavors mingle and the dressing cling perfectly to every ingredient. But let’s be real – I’ve eaten it straight from the bowl many times when I couldn’t wait!

Tips for Perfect BLT Chicken Salad

After making this salad more times than I can count, here are my hard-earned secrets:

Chill your chicken first – room temp chicken makes the lettuce wilt faster. I pop mine in the fridge for 15 minutes before mixing.
Bacon should shatter – cook it until super crispy so it stays crunchy even after being tossed with dressing.
Dressing is the finale – always add it last minute to keep everything fresh. Leftovers? Store dressing separately.
Tomato trick – gently squeeze out some seeds from halves to prevent salad from getting watery.
Tongs are your friends – they distribute dressing evenly without bruising the lettuce.

Follow these and you’ll have people begging for your “secret recipe” – just don’t tell them how easy it really is!

BLT Chicken Salad Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can switch it up! Here are some delicious twists I’ve tried (and loved):

Creamy avocado: Dice half an avocado right into the mix – it makes the dressing extra luscious
Spicy kick: Add a teaspoon of sriracha to the mayo for those who like heat
Crunch upgrade: Toss in a handful of toasted pecans or sunflower seeds
Greens swap: Try arugula for peppery bite or butter lettuce for extra tenderness
Fancy garnish: Top with crumbled blue cheese or shaved parmesan when feeling indulgent

Really, anything goes – that’s the beauty of a great base recipe like this!

Serving Suggestions for BLT Chicken Salad

This salad shines in so many ways! My absolute favorite is piled high on thick slices of crusty sourdough – it’s like a deconstructed BLT sandwich that feels fancier. For hot summer days, pair it with chilled gazpacho or cucumber soup. Need something heartier? Serve over crispy romaine cups or alongside roasted potatoes. And don’t even get me started on how perfect it is stuffed in a ripe avocado half – now that’s a lunch worth photographing!

Storing and Reheating BLT Chicken Salad

Here’s the deal – this salad is best fresh, but if you must store it, here’s how to keep it happy. Transfer to an airtight container (I’m obsessed with my glass snap-lock ones) and refrigerate for up to 2 days max. The lettuce will start to wilt after that, and nobody wants sad salad! Big warning: Don’t even think about freezing it – the texture turns into a watery mess. If making ahead, store components separately and combine just before serving. Leftovers? Perfect straight from the fridge for next day’s lunch – no reheating needed!

BLT Chicken Salad FAQs

I get asked about this recipe all the time – here are the most common questions that come up:

Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?
Absolutely! The flavor will be slightly different, but turkey bacon works great if that’s your preference. Just make sure to cook it extra crispy so it still gives that satisfying crunch. My trick? A quick spray of cooking oil helps turkey bacon crisp up better.

How can I make this keto-friendly?
You’re in luck – this salad is already pretty keto! Just skip the tomatoes if you’re being strict (they add a few carbs), and double check your mayo ingredients. Some folks like adding diced avocado for extra healthy fats too.

What’s the best chicken to use?
Rotisserie chicken is my go-to for convenience, but any cooked chicken works. Leftover grilled chicken adds nice smoky notes, and poached chicken keeps it super tender. Just avoid canned chicken – the texture’s all wrong for this salad.

Can I prep this ahead for meal prep?
Yes, but with one important tip: keep the dressing separate until right before eating. I prep all the ingredients in containers and add dressing at work – that way the lettuce stays crisp all week!

Help! My salad got watery – what went wrong?
Sounds like the tomatoes might be the culprit. Next time, give them a gentle squeeze to remove some seeds before adding. Also, make sure your chicken is completely cooled before mixing – warm chicken wilts everything faster.

BLT Chicken Salad Nutritional Info

Just a quick heads up – nutritional values can vary depending on your ingredients (like thick-cut vs. regular bacon or full-fat vs. light mayo). This salad packs plenty of protein from the chicken and healthy fats from that glorious bacon, while the fresh veggies add fiber and vitamins. As with any recipe, your mileage may vary based on specific brands and prep methods! Find more recipe ideas on our Pinterest page.