Looking for the perfect twist on the classic BLT? This BLT Chicken Salad is everything you love about a BLT—smoky, crunchy, creamy—tossed together in a cool, protein-packed salad you’ll want to eat for lunch every day! Full of vibrant veggies, juicy chicken, and amazing flavor, it’s the ultimate crave-worthy meal prep salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Total BLT Nostalgia: All the flavors of your favorite sandwich—crispy bestrami, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy lettuce—come together in one forkful.
- Protein-Packed & Satisfying: Tender shredded chicken and Greek yogurt make this salad super filling and so much lighter than typical mayo-based salads.
- Meal Prep Friendly: It keeps perfectly in the fridge for days, so lunch is fresh, easy, AND exciting all week long.
- Versatile Serving: Fantastic on bread, in wraps, or simply spooned over leafy greens for a fresh, satisfying meal any time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Good news: the beauty of this BLT Chicken Salad is how each ingredient brings something important to the party! From creamy yogurt and smoky bestrami to fresh veggies, every bite offers a little crunch, tang, and richness that just works so well together.
- Cooked chicken breasts: Shredded or chopped chicken is the backbone of this salad—use rotisserie, poached, or any leftover chicken you have.
- Finely chopped lettuce: Adds a refreshing crunch and lots of classic BLT flavor—romaine or iceberg both work.
- Diced celery: For extra texture and a subtle, peppery crispness.
- Sliced grape tomatoes: Sweet and juicy bursts of flavor that mimic the “T” in BLT.
- Red onion: Diced small, it gives a vibrant zing and pop of color.
- Cooked bestrami: Chopped into little bits for all the smoky, savory goodness of the “B” (and it holds up deliciously in the salad!).
- Plain Greek yogurt: Tangy, creamy, and high in protein—this makes the dressing so much lighter and fresher.
- Mayonnaise: Just a little brings the classic richness and blend-it-all-together flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Adds complexity and a subtle savory kick to the dressing.
- Salt & pepper: Because seasonings matter—a little goes a long way here.
- Onion powder & garlic powder: Rounds out the savory, herby notes so the dressing truly sings.
Variations
The BLT Chicken Salad recipe is incredibly flexible—swap, swap, swap! You can tailor it to what’s on hand in your fridge, or tweak it for dietary needs and new taste adventures. Let your cravings be your guide!
- Turkey Instead of Chicken: Shredded turkey (roast or deli-style) is delicious and just as protein-packed in this salad.
- Bacon for Bestrami: Go traditional by using crisp bacon to really channel that classic BLT flavor.
- Dairy-Free: Sub in dairy-free yogurt and vegan mayo for a creamy, satisfying twist that’s totally plant-based.
- Add Avocado: Creamy chopped avocado is never out of place—slice it in just before serving for dreamy richness.
- Spicy Upgrade: Throw in a teaspoon of hot sauce or a handful of sliced jalapeños if you like a little heat with your crunch.
How to Make BLT Chicken Salad
Step 1: Shred or Chop the Chicken
If you want your BLT Chicken Salad extra tender, use a food processor to quickly shred your cooked chicken breasts—it takes literally 10 seconds! No processor? Simply shred or dice the chicken by hand into bite-sized pieces. The key is making it bite-sized so flavors mix into every forkful.
Step 2: Prep the Veggies and Bestrami
Finely chop your lettuce, celery, tomatoes, and red onion, then give your bestrami a good chop into small bits. This ensures every spoonful packs in a little of everything—the juicy, smoky, fresh combo is irresistible.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayo, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. This luscious combo is the magic that ties the salad together—no bottled dressing needed here!
Step 4: Mix It All Up
Add the shredded chicken and all the chopped veggies and bestrami to a large bowl. Pour the creamy dressing over the top, and gently fold until everything is evenly coated. The result? A vibrant, flavor-packed BLT Chicken Salad that’s ready to eat right away or chill for later.
Pro Tips for Making BLT Chicken Salad
- Bestrami Crispness: For extra-crispy bestrami bits, cook them ahead and blot off grease well—they’ll stay crunchy even after mixing in the salad.
- Veggie Size Matters: Dice everything small so you get the perfect blend of juicy, crunchy, and creamy textures in every bite.
- Chill for Ultimate Flavor: If you have time, let the BLT Chicken Salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let all the flavors meld beautifully.
- Lighten as You Please: Use all Greek yogurt for an extra-healthy, tangy version, or all mayo for classic richness—it’s all about your mood!
How to Serve BLT Chicken Salad
Garnishes
Top your BLT Chicken Salad with extra sliced grape tomatoes, a sprinkle of fresh-chopped chives or parsley, and a dash of cracked black pepper. If you’re feeling fancy, add a dusting of smoked paprika for a little wow factor.
Side Dishes
This salad shines next to crunchy kettle chips, fresh fruit salad, or a crisp dill pickle spear. If you’re having it for dinner, pair it with a light soup, a bowl of tomato bisque, or warm, crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, spoon BLT Chicken Salad into lettuce cups or pile it high on crostini for easy appetizers. Wrap it in tortillas for a quick lunch, or stuff it inside halved avocados for a stunning, keto-friendly twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover BLT Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to three days. The flavors get even better as they marry, but wait to add more lettuce or tomatoes until just before serving for the freshest bite.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing BLT Chicken Salad—the fresh veggies and yogurt dressing can get watery or lose their texture. If you need to prep ahead, freeze the shredded chicken only and stir it into the dressing and veggies when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
This salad is definitely best served cold or at cool room temperature! If it’s straight from the fridge, let it sit out for a few minutes to take the chill off. No need to reheat—just enjoy as is for refreshing flavor and crunch.
FAQs
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Can I substitute bacon for the bestrami in BLT Chicken Salad?
Absolutely! Bacon is the traditional “B” in BLT, and it works beautifully here. Just cook it crisp, chop it small, and mix it in—the flavor is smoky, classic, and totally irresistible.
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Will the lettuce get soggy if I store leftovers?
If you’re meal prepping BLT Chicken Salad, you can wait to stir in the lettuce and tomatoes until right before serving to keep them extra crisp. The salad will still taste delicious if mixed ahead, but freshest is best!
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How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
This salad is naturally gluten-free! Just skip serving it on wheat bread and instead enjoy it in lettuce cups, on gluten-free crackers, or with a big fork.
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Is BLT Chicken Salad good for meal prep?
It’s fantastic for meal prep! Portion into containers for grab-and-go lunches, and if you want max crunch, stir in more lettuce just before eating.
Final Thoughts
If you adore that perfect BLT combination but want something lighter, this BLT Chicken Salad is pure lunchtime happiness. I hope you give it a try—make a big batch and savor every bold, creamy, crunchy bite. You might never look at chicken salad the same way again!
Print
BLT Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings (1/2 cup each) 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This BLT Chicken Salad is a delicious and satisfying twist on the classic sandwich, packed with flavorful ingredients and a creamy dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or as a light dinner option.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 3 small cooked chicken breasts (or 2 large)
- 1 cup finely chopped lettuce
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup sliced grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 12 slices cooked bestrami, chopped small
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Shred the Chicken: To finely shred chicken, add to food processor and pulse for 10 seconds. Alternatively shred by hand.
- Prepare the Salad: Add shredded chicken to a large bowl, then add lettuce, celery, tomatoes, red onion, and bestrami.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayo, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Combine: Pour dressing over chicken and mix until well combined.
- Serve: Enjoy the BLT Chicken Salad on bread, with chips, in a wrap, or on a bed of salad!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
