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This BLT chicken salad recipe is inspired by the classic flavors of a BLT, lightened up and ready to be a meal prep for easy lunches this week or a high protein snack! Packed with protein, this creamy chicken salad is an easy recipe that can be served as a quick meal any time of the day.
Why you’ll love this
Is there anything better than a classic BLT sandwich? This chicken salad twist on the traditional BLT ingredients might be it! Here’s why you’ll LOVE this one:
- High protein: One serving has 20 grams of protein- more protein than the classic sandwich because of the chicken, plus just enough crunchy bacon and fresh tomatoes for that BLT flavor.
- Super flavorful: There is just nothing like the combination of sweet tomatoes, crispy bacon and creamy mayo flavor. This recipe has all of that in chicken salad form, and it’s lightened up and healthier. It’s my favorite chicken salad alongside my Buffalo Chicken Salad and Spicy Chicken Salad!
- Meal-prep friendly: Meal prep this and use all week long for a sandwich on whole grain bread, salads, or in a snack plate aka Adult Lunchables. I also love prepping my Cape Cod Chicken Salad, Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad or Cottage Cheese Egg Salad.
Super yummy!!! So perfect on toasted sourdough. *chefs kiss* heavenly. New hyper-fixation lunch, locked in.
– Holly
Ingredients
This BLT chicken salad is made with simple ingredients- be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for full instructions + ingredient measurements.
- Shredded and cooked chicken: You’ll need cooked and shredded (or chopped) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Or, use rotisserie chicken or make my Air Fryer Shredded Chicken.
- Sweet Onion + Celery: I like to use sweet onion and celery to add crunch and fresh flavor. Red onion or green onion work well too!
- Plain Greek yogurt: Full fat Greek yogurt is the base for this creamy chicken salad, and adds more protein too. It’s an excellent mayo swap.
- Mayonnaise: Just a little bit of mayo gives that traditional chicken salad feel and BLT flavor without adding too much.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and dried parsley enhance the flavors of a classic BLT without overpowering it.
- Bacon: I like to use center cut bacon for a little more protein and less fat than regular bacon. Or, use turkey bacon.
- Cherry tomatoes: No BLT is complete without juicy tomatoes- cherry or grape tomatoes are best.
Variation Ideas
- Ranch BLT Chicken Salad: Add 1-2 tbsp of ranch seasoning powder or use my Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing as the dressing.
- Use mayo instead: If you prefer a more classic chicken salad flavor, feel free to omit the Greek yogurt and use all mayonnaise instead.
- Make it spicy: To give this chicken salad a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chopped pickled jalapeños.
- Add lemon juice: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or dijon mustard for a little extra zip and tang.
- Add cheese: Add sharp cheddar cubes or shredded cheddar right into the chicken salad.
- Make a chicken BLT salad: Top some greens, cucumbers and fresh tomatoes with this chicken salad for an easy BLT chicken salad. Finish with a drizzle of ranch.
How To Make BLT Chicken Salad
1. Start the dressing: In a small bowl, add Greek yogurt, mayonnaise and spices.
2. Mix the dressing: Mix dressing ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
3. Add remaining ingredients: In a large bowl, add chicken, onion, tomatoes, bacon, and celery.
4. Mix with dressing: Add the dressing to the large bowl and combine gently until ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Add additional mayo or Greek yogurt, salt or pepper to taste.
You can make my Air Fryer Shredded Chicken for a quick and easy option, or make in the oven. It’s also a great way to use rotisserie chicken or canned chicken.
To make your own, start with about a pound of raw chicken breast or tenders. Season as desired and bake at 375 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F.
Serve in between two slices of bread with lettuce as a sandwich, in flour wraps or lettuce wraps, over a salad, or with crackers and veggies.
I prefer and recommend full-fat Greek yogurt because it tends to have the creamiest flavor and best texture, but any will work. You can also use blended cottage cheese in place of Greek yogurt.
How to store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
More chicken salad recipes
If you’ve made and loved this BLT Chicken Salad or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and comments below!
BLT Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast (~3-3.5 cups), cooked and shredded or chopped
- 1/3 cup sweet onion, diced small
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, diced small
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt, more to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, more to taste
- for serving: bread, romaine lettuce, crackers or chips
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add Greek yogurt, mayonnaise and spices. Combine.
- In a large bowl, add chicken, onion, tomatoes, bacon, and celery.
- Add the dressing to the large bowl and combine gently until ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Add additional mayo or Greek yogurt, salt or pepper to taste.
- Serve in between two slices of bread with lettuce as a sandwich, in a wrap, lettuce cup, over a salad, or with crackers and veggies.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Thanks!
Also for all the substitutions and ideas.
Very practical and helpful and doable.
Super yummy!!! So perfect on toasted sourdough. *chefs kiss* heavenly. New hyper-fixation lunch, locked in.
Haha I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you for leaving a review!
This has become a weekly staple. So delicious. I’ve done it with blended cottage cheese when out of Greek yogurt and that option was fabulous too. I didn’t have mayo the first time, and I loved it, so I leave out the mayo every time now and just do a little more yogurt/cottage cheese. I definitely up the spices a bit but otherwise it’s perfect just the way it is.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Liz, thank you so so much for leaving a review 🙂
Made this for meal prep this week and it will definitely be going into my regular rotation! Simply delicious
Thank you so much for leaving a review! 🙂 I’m so glad you loved it!
I love this recipe. It lasted me all week for lunches. Thank you so much!!
Yay! Definitely a perfect one for lunches 🙂
I needed something quick for lunch this weekend, so I made this. I took a couple of shortcuts: canned chicken, pre-cooked bacon. I had some small flour tortillas that needed to be used, so I used two and also added lettuce. Very good!
Shortcuts are always okay in my book 🙂 thank you so much for leaving a review!
This is my go-to recipe when I have shredded chicken on hand. I have subbed in green onions when I didn’t have an onion on hand. My elementary girls love it. Perfect meal prep. Eat it as a sandwich on toasted sourdough from Aldi – it’s *chef’s kiss*. ❤️
So happy you’re loving this one! Kid-approved is always the highest compliment too 🙂 thank you so much for leaving a review!