There’s something undeniably perfect about a BLT Chicken Salad—the fresh and juicy tomatoes, smoky bacon, and savory chicken all mingling together with a creamy dressing. It’s a low-carb lunch that delivers the punchy flavors of a classic BLT in a totally new format, making it an absolute game-changer for meal preppers and sandwich lovers alike. Whether you’re bringing it to a picnic or whipping up a quick weekday meal, this salad is a crowd-pleaser that balances crunch, smokiness, and creaminess in every forkful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for this BLT Chicken Salad is a breeze, and each component is more than just a supporting player. You’ll love how every ingredient adds its own unique taste, texture, or pop of color, resulting in a salad that’s loaded with contrast and flavor.

Cooked Chicken: Use rotisserie or your own shredded chicken; white or dark meat are both wonderful for texture and moisture.
Cherry Tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes add juicy bursts of sweetness and vibrant color.
Red Onion: Finely diced red onion adds a mild bite and gorgeous purple hue.
Celery: For a crisp, refreshing crunch in every bite, celery is essential.
Mayonnaise: The creamy base of the dressing; light mayo keeps it a bit healthier but still rich.
Lemon Juice: Adds a touch of tang to brighten up all the flavors.
Salt: Essential for drawing out and enhancing flavors throughout the salad.
Garlic Powder: A subtle, savory depth that seasons without overpowering.
Onion Powder: Boosts the onion note and adds more umami to the dressing.
Black Pepper: A dash brings gentle heat and rounds out the taste beautifully.

How to Make BLT Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Begin by making sure all your ingredients are ready to go. Dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces (or shred it for a finer texture), halve the cherry tomatoes, finely dice the red onion, and chop your celery. This step sets you up for assembly-line ease.

Step 2: Combine the Salad Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and add your chopped chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes, red onion, and celery. Stir them together gently—already, you’ll see the colors and textures popping!

Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Taste your dressing and adjust with a pinch more salt or pepper if you like—it should be creamy, tangy, and just a little savory.

Step 4: Toss and Chill

Pour the dressing over your salad base and gently fold everything together, ensuring each piece is coated in that luscious dressing. You can serve the BLT Chicken Salad straight away for a fresh crunch, or cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours to let the flavors mingle.

How to Serve BLT Chicken Salad

Garnishes

A handful of chopped fresh parsley, a few more halved cherry tomatoes, or an extra shower of cracked black pepper transforms your BLT Chicken Salad into a genuinely irresistible dish. Even just a hint of lemon zest or some sliced green onions give it that “wow” factor and bring out the freshness.

Side Dishes

This salad practically begs for simple accompaniments! Try it with some butter lettuce leaves for a crisp wrap, serve alongside a small bowl of soup for a satisfying lunch, or pair with crunchy crudités like cucumber and carrot sticks. A slice of toasted sourdough works wonders too if you’re not keeping it low carb.

Creative Ways to Present

Don’t think bowls are your only option! Scoop your BLT Chicken Salad into halved avocados for a dramatic lunch, spoon it into mini sweet bell peppers for party appetizers, or load it into lettuce cups for easy hand-held bites. For meal preppers, packing it in mason jars layered with greens is as charming as it is practical.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover BLT Chicken Salad will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Just be sure not to leave it out at room temperature for long—two hours is the max for food safety—so portion out just what you need and return the rest to chill.

Freezing

Unfortunately, mayo-based salads like this one don’t freeze well because the dressing tends to separate once thawed, losing its creamy texture. For best results, enjoy BLT Chicken Salad within the week and make only what you can use up fresh.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat this salad! In fact, BLT Chicken Salad is best served cold—simply give it a good stir before enjoying leftovers, as the dressing can settle or separate slightly in the fridge.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this BLT Chicken Salad?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is actually one of the quickest ways to add delicious, tender chicken to this salad, and it’s a total time-saver for busy days.

Is there a way to make this salad dairy-free?

Yes—just be sure your mayonnaise is dairy-free (most are, but double-check the label), and you’ll have a dairy-free BLT Chicken Salad to enjoy.

Can I bulk up this salad with more veggies?

Definitely! Finely chopped spinach, diced cucumbers, or even sweet corn can be folded in for a heartier, more colorful version of your BLT Chicken Salad.

How far in advance can I make BLT Chicken Salad for a party?

You can make it up to a day ahead—just keep it well-chilled and garnish right before serving for freshness and crunch. This makes it ideal for meal prepping or stress-free entertaining.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something filling, bright, and packed with crave-worthy flavors, you can’t go wrong with BLT Chicken Salad. Give it a try and discover how delightfully simple it can be to reinvent lunch or impress at your next gathering. Trust me, this is one recipe you’ll want to keep in your weekday lunch rotation!