Rotisserie BLT Chicken Salad Meal Prep

If you ask me, BLT sandwiches are pretty much perfect as they are.

This twist on the classic sandwich transforms it into a meal-prep friendly salad that’s packed with all the flavors you love. Crispy bacon bits and juicy tomatoes mix with fresh lettuce and tender chicken breast.

It’s tossed with a creamy mayo-based dressing that captures that familiar BLT taste we all grew up with. The addition of chicken makes it filling enough for a satisfying lunch that keeps you going all afternoon.

It’s a practical way to enjoy those classic BLT flavors, perfect for busy weekdays when you need a reliable make-ahead meal.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, you’ve actually got several options that’ll work great here. Store-bought rotisserie chicken is definitely the quickest route, and most grocery stores offer both regular and organic varieties that work equally well. If you prefer to cook your own chicken, you can use poached or baked chicken breasts, or even leftover grilled chicken – just make sure it’s cooled completely before shredding. For the best results, try to use a mix of both white and dark meat, as the dark meat adds extra flavor and helps keep the salad from drying out. When shredding your chicken, you can use two forks or even your stand mixer with the paddle attachment for a quick and easy method.

Options for Substitutions

This BLT chicken salad is pretty flexible and you can make several swaps based on what you have on hand:

• Rotisserie chicken: No rotisserie chicken? You can cook and shred your own chicken breasts or thighs. Canned chicken works in a pinch too, just drain it well. You could even use leftover turkey!
• Bacon: Center-cut bacon can be swapped with regular bacon, turkey bacon, or even pre-cooked bacon bits. If you’re looking to keep it lighter, you could use turkey bacon, though the taste will be slightly different.
• Greek yogurt and mayo: Feel free to adjust the ratio of yogurt to mayo based on your preference. You can use all mayo or all Greek yogurt. For a different twist, try mashed avocado as part of the creamy base.
• Ranch spice mix: Out of ranch mix? Make your own with dried herbs like dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. Italian seasoning with a pinch of garlic powder works too.
• Green onions: You can swap these with finely diced red onions or chives. If using red onions, use about half the amount since they’re stronger.
• Grape tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes work just the same, or you can dice regular tomatoes. Just make sure to remove the seeds to prevent the salad from getting too watery.
• Avocado: If you’re meal prepping, you might want to add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning. You can skip it altogether if you’re not an avocado fan.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making BLT chicken salad is preventing your avocados from turning brown – combat this by tossing them in a bit of lemon juice before mixing, or better yet, add them fresh just before serving each portion. A common mistake is using warm chicken and bacon, which can make the mayo and yogurt mixture separate and become greasy, so make sure both are completely cooled before combining. For the crispiest bacon that won’t become soggy in your meal prep containers, cook it until it’s extra crispy and store it separately, adding it to your portions right before eating. When it comes to the tomatoes, avoid the temptation to use large diced tomatoes which can release too much liquid and make your salad watery – stick with grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half, and if possible, remove some of their seeds before adding to the mix.

What to Serve With BLT Chicken Salad?

This BLT chicken salad is already packed with protein and fresh ingredients, making it perfect for easy lunches throughout the week. For a light and refreshing meal, serve it over a bed of crisp lettuce leaves, or tuck it into butter lettuce cups for a low-carb option. If you’re looking for something more substantial, this chicken salad tastes amazing on toasted sourdough bread, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla, or stuffed into a fresh croissant. On the side, some kettle-cooked potato chips or fresh cucumber slices add the perfect crunch to round out your meal.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This BLT chicken salad stays good in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Pro tip: if you’re meal prepping, keep the avocado separate and add it just before eating to prevent browning. The tomatoes can also be stored separately to keep the salad from getting too watery.

Meal Prep: For the best meal prep results, divide the chicken salad into individual portions in separate containers. Pack the bacon in a small container or baggie to keep it crispy, and bring the avocado whole to slice fresh when you’re ready to eat. This way, everything stays fresh and maintains its texture throughout the week.

Pack: If you’re taking this to work or school, pack it with an ice pack to keep it cool. The chicken salad is best enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge. Remember to bring any separate toppings in their own containers to add just before eating for the best taste and texture.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	0-0 minutes
Total Time	75-80 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1800-2000
• Protein: 120-130 g
• Fat: 120-130 g
• Carbohydrates: 40-50 g

Ingredients

• 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 8 pieces center-cut bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (or substitute with more mayo)
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ranch spice mix
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1/3 cup diced green onions
• 2/3 pint grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
• 1 diced avocado

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

Begin by making the dressing in a large mixing bowl.

Add in the mayo and Greek yogurt.

Whisk them together until smooth.

Then, incorporate your desired seasonings.

These might include salt, pepper, or any other favorite spices to taste.

Mix well to ensure the dressing is evenly flavored.

Step 2: Combine Main Ingredients

Add the cooked chicken, crispy bacon, and sliced green onions into the bowl with the dressing.

Mix everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are well-coated with the dressing.

Next, add the diced tomatoes and mix again, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the salad.

Step 3: Adjust Flavor and Add Avocado

Taste the chicken salad and adjust the seasonings according to your preference.

You can add more salt, pepper, or any other spices as needed.

When you’re ready to serve, gently fold in the diced avocado into the desired portion of the chicken salad.

Alternatively, you can leave the avocado in a single layer on top as a garnish.

Step 4: Chill Before Serving

Once everything is mixed to your satisfaction, transfer the chicken salad into an airtight container.

Store it in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill.

Enjoy your refreshing and creamy chicken salad!