The Best BLT Chicken Salad Recipe You Can Make This Summer!

When temperatures soar during the summer months, salads are a cool and refreshing dinner option that don't require heating up the oven.

What if you're feeding picky eaters who turn up their noses at salad?  They won't be able to resist the familiar taste of a classic sandwich once you assemble all the fixings!

Best BLT Chicken Salad
Marinated grilled chicken dresses up this delicious spin on a BLT.  This salad tastes like Summer!

Fun Facts on the History of the BLT

While the BLT ranks as the "nation's favorite" sandwich in the U.K., it's the sixth most popular sandwich in America.  BLTs just taste better in the summertime, particularly during the tomato harvest.  

Did you know the BLT didn't become trendy until after WWII?

While the basic BLT consists of bacon, lettuce, and tomato tucked between two slices of toasted bread, several variations can be made to tweak the sandwich for different palates.  Some prefer turkey bacon, while others add sliced avocado or onion.  The BLT is typically dressed in mayonnaise, but adding peanut butter to one of the bread slices really makes it pop.

Many dishes have evolved from the classic BLT, such as macaroni salad, pasta, and pizza recipes that incorporate this unique flavor blend, so why not salad?

I developed a delicious summer salad inspired by the BLT that everyone in your family will love.  It includes meat for the carnivores and interchangeable veggies and toppings for fussy eaters.


Where I Discovered the Idea for the Best BLT Chicken Salad Recipe

Over 25 years ago, I visited a very quaint Ohio farmhouse in the middle of a woods that had been transformed into a down-home family restaurant.  During the summer, outdoor seating was available, and a very fat farm cat would meander through the tables to welcome visitors.

This restaurant, located in Carrollton, was called Bluebird Farms.  Since then, Bluebird Farms has been recreated into a park district with walking trails, picnic areas, and wedding venue, though lodging, a gift shop, and a museum of childhood memories remain on the grounds.  

I never forgot the first-ever grilled BLT chicken salad that I tasted from the homespun deck at Bluebird Farms, so when I had a family of my own, I decided to create an even better BLT chicken salad recipe that included something for everyone.


Steps for Making the Best BLT Chicken Salad Recipe

You'll notice that many of the steps in making BLT Chicken Salad allow a lot of wiggle room for customization.  Even though I include a printable recipe at the end, it's not written in stone and can be altered according to your personal tastes.

STEP ONE:  MARINATE AND GRILL CHICKEN TENDERLOINS

The longer you marinate the chicken tenderloins for your salad, the better they will taste.  I mix up the marinade in the morning and soak the tenderloins until it's time to grill them.

If you don't have tenderloins on hand, you can substitute chicken breasts.  You also have the option of leaving the tenderloins or breasts whole and placing them on top of your salad, or you can chop them.  I prefer to chunk the grilled chicken because it can then be forked easily to accompany each bite of salad.

The marinade consists of olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.  I use olive oil and cider vinegar, but you can use your favorite alternatives.  I'm usually too lazy to mince fresh garlic, but the jarred kind works fine.

Grill the chicken until it's lightly golden and cooked through but be careful not to overcook it or it will be dry and crunchy.



STEP TWO:  COOK THE BACON

Any bacon works, though I use Oscar Meyer Center Cut bacon.  Pan frying bacon always makes it taste better, but to save time, I cook mine in the microwave.  Since it's combined with so many other toppings, no one ever notices that I take a shortcut!

I use 12 bacon strips for four people, but you can use as much or as little as you like.

Bestselling salad spinner
Use this best-selling salad spinner when cleaning fresh lettuce.


Eliminate the mess when microwaving bacon.

STEP THREE:  CHOOSE YOUR TOPPINGS

Below is a list of my favorite toppings, but you can pick and choose what works for your family. 

  • Cherry tomatoes (I halve them, but you could dice or quarter larger tomatoes)
  • Cucumber (sliced or chopped)
  • Green pepper (diced)
  • Avocado (lightly tossed in lime or lemon juice to prevent browning)
  • Green onions (chopped)
  • Boiled eggs (sliced or diced)
  • Bacon (crumbled)
  • Grilled chicken (chunked is best)
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Croutons 
  • Salad dressing (Ranch or Italian are suggested)
Best BLT Chicken Salad Recipe
Ranch or Italian dressing works best on this BLT chicken salad.

While you want to include your favorite salad ingredients, you also don't want to mute the taste of the bacon, lettuce, tomato, and chicken, which is why I refrain from adding olives, jalapenos, or other strong flavors that will steal the show.

If you serve breadsticks or garlic toast with your salad, then leave off the croutons.  Who needs the extra carbs?  

      Weber grill tool set         
Weber makes the best grilling tools!                     


  
Here's some grilling inspiration!

STEP FOUR:  ASSEMBLE THE SALAD

Making a gorgeous salad that tantalizes the taste buds takes more time than you'd think.

Assemble the salad on four large dinner plates, starting with your favorite lettuce.  Here is where you don't want to cheat.  I never use bagged salad for the base.  Most of the time, I buy fresh lettuce or pick it from our garden.  If I'm facing a time crunch, I will occasionally grab a plastic carton of spring mix because it's the second-best option.

Sprinkle the veggies on top, followed by chicken, bacon, eggs, and cheese, and then drizzle your favorite salad dressing.  Ranch tastes great, but I prefer Good Seasons Italian dressing.

Serve with garlic sticks, Texas Toast, or crusty bread, and maybe add a fruity dessert for the perfect summer dinner!


Print the Best BLT Chicken Salad Recipe!

My recipe for the Best BLT Chicken Salad is perfect for warm weather.  If you're ready to serve it up on your deck or patio this season, click on the image below to download and print.

Best BLT Chicken Salad Recipe
**CLICK ON THE RECIPE IMAGE ABOVE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT.**

Follow Our Facebook Page!

Celebrate all things home, family, garden, and seasonal by following us on Facebook!  Find us here:

FACEBOOK PAGE: Home Is My Happy Spot

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

4 Reasons Why Hallmark Movies Aren't As Good As They Used To Be

Image
Oldies, But Goodies Hallmark is best known for its escapism entertainment where fans can find a happy place to lose themselves in a stress-free love story that always ends happily. While Hallmark movies attract viewers from all walks of life, it has particularly been a haven for Christians and conservatives who flocked to the network to avoid the vile and secular programming that saturates the majority of networks. When the pandemic struck the entire world in 2020, even more people gravitated to Hallmark movies while they were stuck at home, drawing comfort from them like a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.  Images:  Crown Media Despite gorging on an inordinate amount of these Hallmark movies (they are addictive!), there is a growing rumble of discontent among fans.  Conversations within the realm of social media reveals Hallmarkies prefer the older movies over the majority of newer releases.  This is admitted in hushed tones because Hallmark fans are a dedicated and loyal group,
Read more

Tips for Keeping the Neighbor Kids Out of Your Yard

Image
Some Parents Are Idiots The days are warmer, and everyone is spending more time outdoors.  That includes the neighbor kids, who may have developed the bad habit of extending their boundaries into your yard and personal space. The real culprits here are the parents.  Common sense should guide parents to remind their kids where the invisible boundaries are between houses, but this overly narcissistic generation shows little regard for anyone but themselves. If you try to be pleasant and cordial with your neighbors for the sake of getting along, this may be misconstrued as a welcome invitation to invade your personal space at will. A "kid person" loves interacting with the neighborhood children and doesn't regard them dotting the lawn as an invasive species. Others are only "kid people" with their own kids and don't appreciate uninvited company. Thoughtless parents with no respect of your privacy or personal property put you in a pickle.  They
Read more

How to Dry Your Own Corn Stalks for Fall Decorating in 4 Easy Steps (with Pictures)

Image
Drying Corn Stalks Is Easier Than You Might Think Last year, I spied corn stalks for sale at our local Home Depot and Lowes stores and wanted to buy some for our Fall decorating, but sticker shock deterred me.  Each small bundle cost nearly $25!   Amazon, which typically offers better pricing, is selling bundles of 12 this year for $52.99.  Considering these bundles will either be composted or sent to the landfill at the end of the season, only people with money to burn would consider investing in such pricey lawn décor. The best solution is to dry your own corn stalks.  If you grew corn in your garden over the summer, it won't cost you a dime, and you'll be harvesting every bit of your crop. We tied our dried corn stalks to tomato stakes to help them stand in our display. Step One:  Harvest the Corn & Cut Each Stalk Once you have picked all the corn your garden has produced, waiting for stalks to dry out on their own will take too long.    You will need a tool to make a c
Read more

Should Students Be Required to Wear Masks to School in the Fall?

Image
State Departments of Education Drafting Fall Protocols for Schools When school resumes in the Fall, do you want your kids wearing masks all day in class? If you answered "yes," this post is not for you.  Move on.  This post is for patriots who understand the mandating of masks is a tyrannical move that violates our freedom. Many state departments of education are in the process of drafting return-to-school protocols, where mandatory mask-wearing will be required for teachers, faculty, and students.  Since nothing is written in stone, especially as we wait to see how re-opening the country will unfold, now is the time to speak up in protest. This is so wrong!  (Getty Images) Here's How You Can Take Action Against Mandatory Student Mask-Wearing There are a few things you can do to make your voice heard: Local districts may be granted flexibility from your state, so contact your superintendents and school board members .  Simply Google "(Name of Sch
Read more

The Grinch's Best "Who Hash" Recipe

Image
A "Feast" Your Family Will Love No holiday season is complete without the annual viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas .  It's a delightful, transformative tale about finding and sharing in the Christmas spirit. Before the Grinch's heart grows three sizes, he hates that the Whos feast, feast, feast on Who-pudding and Who-roast beast--a feast he can't stand in the least!  As a result, he steals all the food in each house along with every vestige of Christmas. He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash. Why, that Grinch even took their last can of Who-hash! If your kids are picky eaters who hesitate to touch their plates with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole, you will have no trouble enticing them with this comforting and Christmas-y recipe.  Plus, it's much tastier than a three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce! What Is "Hash?" Hash refers to a dish consisting of seasoned diced meat, potatoes, and vegetables that
Read more

Five Reasons You Should Delete Friends on Facebook

Image
Reasons People Join Facebook Why did you originally join Facebook? Theoretically, Facebook provides a platform to remain in contact with friends and family both far and near. You always know what your besties are doing. You keep up-to-date on family news. You watch where life takes your old classmates. You stay connected to co-workers, even if you change jobs. If you move away from your hometown, you can still stay in touch with the people you've known all your life. When you share your own news, you have a large support network to cheer you on. In reality, Facebook is the Diet Coke of social engagement.  You can have 3,000 friends but remain completely isolated.  People might comment on your posts, but most forget all about you once they hit like .  In this sense, Facebook is really unsocial media. You have a core group of friends and family who use Facebook to stay close to you, but they are a small percentage of your total friend count.  The ones who truly care about you deserv
Read more

How To Make Old-Fashioned Wilted Lettuce Like Grandma's

Image
The Secret Ingredient In Wilted Lettuce Back in grandma's day, culinary delights were made with heart-stopping lard rather than butter.  Maybe you've never heard of lard, but it comes from pig fat, and as gross as that sounds, makes the best biscuits and flaky pie crusts you've ever eaten. In the era of big gardens where families saved money on meals by freezing and canning their own homegrown produce, wilted lettuce during the growing season was a special treat at dinner.   Wilted lettuce is a summertime specialty. Simmering wilted lettuce dressing on the stovetop fills the kitchen with a pungent, mouth-watering aroma.  It takes me back to my own childhood when I'd come in from playing and find mom busy preparing some for dinner.   What makes this old-fashioned recipe so delicious?  The secret ingredient to wilted lettuce is bacon grease .  Before you slap your hands to your face in horror, let me remind you that paradoxically in our ultra, health-conscious generation
Read more

8 Ideas on How You Can Celebrate Christmas in July

Image
Do You Celebrate Christmas in July? For many of us, July is one of the hottest months of the year.  Why would we celebrate Christmas when heat indexes soar to the upper 90's or higher?   The answer is simple--we LOVE Christmas! Twelve months between celebrations is just too long.  Christmas in July is our booster shot of holiday cheer that keeps our hearts merry and bright for five more months. In the comment section below, share what you do to celebrate Christmas in July.   If you've never recognized or participated in this pseudo holiday, we'll give you some ideas to plan your first ever Christmas in July. 1.  Christmas in July Countdown If you still have kids at home, Christmas in July brings extra excitement to their summer vacation.  Do you have an advent calendar stashed away among your boxes of decorations?  Dig it out and let your kids track the countdown to July 25.  Since we celebrate this event each year, we never put our advent calendar in storage, but leave it
Read more

Review of Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes from Wind River: The Best Sounding Wind Chimes You Can Buy!

Image
There are two opinions when it comes to wind chimes:  you either love or hate the sound of them dancing across the breeze. Some people prefer the pure melodies of nature, like a chorus of chirping birds, wind rustling through the trees, or water trickling over rocks in a nearby brook.  To such, wind chimes are a clamorous intrusion upon tranquility. For others, wind chimes are the perfect accompaniment to nature's symphony.  No relaxation CD can compare.  Perhaps the reason for the opposing viewpoints on wind chimes really centers on sound quality--not all wind chimes are created equal. Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes from Wind River Are Superior in Quality and Made in the USA! You get what you pay for is cliché, but it holds true when it comes to purchasing the perfect set of wind chimes. You can find wind chimes anywhere:  garden centers, hardware stores, home improvement retailers, the grocery, and online, and they come in a wide spectrum of price points. When testing wind chimes,
Read more

Are You Carving a Pumpkin This Year?

Image
Image courtesy of Jiap at FreeDigitalPhotos.net If your kids are grown, chances are your pumpkin carving days are over.  You've passed the ceremonial carving kit to the next generation. Maybe your kids are old enough to start carving their own pumpkins so you can at least be done with scooping goop. If your kids are small, you're still stuck with the job. Choosing the Perfect Pumpkin Where do you go to choose your perfect pumpkin? Some take seasonal hay rides that stop by a pumpkin patch brimming with pumpkins of all sizes, colors, shapes, and textures.  Smoother surfaces are ideal for pumpkin painting, but bumpy pumpkins are loaded with character.     Other families visit a local farmer's market to peruse the pumpkin harvest options. Avid gardeners might grow their own pumpkins. Of course, grocery stores and home improvement places like Home Depot carry an ample stock, and it's very convenient to swing in and snag one to save time. Sel
Read more