If you’re on the hunt for a dish that’s equal parts fresh, hearty, and absolutely crave-worthy, this BLT Salad with Chicken is about to become your new lunchtime obsession. Imagine all the classic flavors of your favorite BLT sandwich—smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce—tossed together with creamy avocado, tender chunks of chicken, a shower of cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of tangy ranch dressing. It’s a color-packed bowl that hits you with flavor in every forkful. Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing shareable salad, this BLT Salad with Chicken is sure to win over everyone at your table!

BLT Salad with Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This BLT Salad with Chicken comes together from a handful of tried-and-true favorites—each one bringing something extra special to the table. The combination of textures and flavors is not only simple but downright irresistible.

Romaine Lettuce: The crisp, refreshing base that keeps every bite crunchy and light.
Chicken Breast: Diced and cooked tender; perfect for soaking up all the flavors and adding heartiness.
Bacon: Thick, smoky crumbles add that salty crunch we can never resist.
Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with juiciness and a pop of sweet-tart color.
Avocado: Creamy, dreamy cubes that take this salad to another level.
Cheddar Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar gives richness and just enough melt-in-your-mouth magic.
Red Onion: Thin slices provide a zingy bite and vibrant contrast.
Ranch Dressing: The cool, tangy dressing that ties all the flavors together flawlessly.
Salt and Pepper: A must for bringing out the best in every single ingredient.

How to Make BLT Salad with Chicken

Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon

Start your BLT Salad with Chicken by cooking your bacon until it reaches that perfect level of crispiness. For best results, use a skillet over medium heat, flipping occasionally. Once it’s cooked through and brown, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess grease. Give it a minute or two to cool, then crumble it into bite-size pieces—you want plenty in each forkful!

Step 2: Prep the Chicken

Dice your cooked chicken breast into hearty, bite-size chunks. You can use leftover roasted, poached, or rotisserie chicken for speed, or even grill it for extra flavor as suggested in the notes. The chicken lends protein-packed staying power to the BLT Salad with Chicken, making it a truly satisfying meal.

Step 3: Chop and Slice the Veggies

Grab your romaine lettuce and chop it into crisp, salad-ready pieces. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half to maximize their juiciness, dice the avocado, and slice the red onion thin for even distribution. With every vegetable prepped and ready, you’re ensuring every bite is vibrant and full of flavor.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, layer the chopped lettuce, chicken, crumbled bacon, tomatoes, avocado, cheddar cheese, and red onion. Drizzle the ranch dressing over the top, using just as much as you love. With two large spoons or salad forks, gently toss everything together so every morsel gets a slick of dressing and the ingredients are evenly mixed.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Taste your BLT Salad with Chicken and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately for the crispiest textures and freshest flavors. This salad is at its best right after tossing—bursting with color, contrasts, and the most inviting flavors.

How to Serve BLT Salad with Chicken

Garnishes

A little something extra can make your BLT Salad with Chicken stand out. Try a sprinkle of extra shredded cheddar or a few fresh chives over the top just before serving. If you love a little crunch, add homemade croutons or extra bacon crumbles for flair and texture.

Side Dishes

This salad is richly satisfying on its own, but it pairs beautifully with light and simple sides. Serve it alongside a crusty baguette, a bowl of soup, or even a classic corn on the cob for a summery lunch. For a lower-carb option, a fruit cup or sliced melon rounds out the meal deliciously.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, serve BLT Salad with Chicken in individual mason jars or clear cups for fun, portable portions. Lay it out deconstructed on a large platter, letting guests build their own salads. Or, turn this into lettuce wraps for a fresh, hand-held appetizer your friends will absolutely love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the BLT Salad with Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. For the crispest results, store the dressing separately and toss the salad right before eating. The flavors meld and deepen after a few hours, making it a great next-day lunch.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for BLT Salad with Chicken, as the fresh veggies and creamy avocado don’t retain their appealing texture after thawing. Bacon and cooked chicken can be frozen separately, but for best quality, enjoy the salad fresh every time.

Reheating

Since this is a chilled salad, reheating isn’t necessary. If you’re using leftover refrigerated chicken or bacon, feel free to gently warm them up before tossing into the salad, but everything else is best served straight from the fridge for optimal crunch and freshness.

FAQs

Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?

Absolutely! Turkey bacon is a delicious, lower-fat alternative that still brings that smoky flavor to your BLT Salad with Chicken. Cook it until crispy so you don’t miss out on the crunch.

Which dressing works best if I want to switch things up?

While ranch is a classic pairing, you can use blue cheese for extra tang or Caesar for a bolder, savory option. Feel free to use your favorite creamy or vinaigrette-style dressing as a tasty twist.

How can I make this salad dairy-free?

Simply omit the cheddar cheese or substitute your favorite dairy-free cheese, and ensure your dressing is dairy-free as well. The rest of the BLT Salad with Chicken is naturally dairy-free, so it’s easy to adapt.

What’s the best way to meal prep this salad ahead of time?

Chop and portion each ingredient individually, storing them in separate containers. Wait to add the avocado and dressing until just before eating. This keeps everything fresh, especially if you’re prepping lunches for the week.

How can I make this salad even more filling?

You can add cooked quinoa, farro, or white beans for a hearty boost, or toss in some hard-boiled eggs for extra protein. If you’re especially hungry, serve it with warm garlic bread or a baked potato alongside.

Final Thoughts

With irresistible crunch, big flavor, and comforting heartiness, this BLT Salad with Chicken is pure mealtime happiness in a bowl. It’s fast, customizable, and equally great for weeknight dinners or sunny afternoon gatherings. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes a regular in your kitchen, too!

BLT Salad with Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 14 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This BLT Salad with Chicken is a delicious and hearty twist on the classic sandwich, featuring crisp lettuce, tender chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy avocado tossed in a tangy ranch dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

Romaine Lettuce:

4 cups chopped

Cooked Chicken Breast:

2 cups diced

Bacon:

8 slices cooked and crumbled

Cherry Tomatoes:

1 cup halved

Avocado:

1 diced

Shredded Cheddar Cheese:

1/2 cup

Red Onion:

1/4 cup thinly sliced

Ranch Dressing:

1/2 cup

Salt and Pepper:

To taste

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Instructions

Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy, then drain and crumble it.
Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, chicken breast, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cheddar cheese, and red onion.
Add Dressing: Drizzle ranch dressing over the salad and toss gently until coated.
Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.