BLT Chicken Salad with Avocado
BLT Chicken Salad with Avocado is a fresh, flavorful, and protein-packed lunch combining crispy bacon, tender chicken breast, creamy avocado, and crunchy greens. This wholesome, easy-to-prepare salad offers a perfect balance of textures and can be customized for various dietary preferences, making it ideal for meal prepping or a revitalizing midday meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Pan cooking and baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 bacon strips
Fresh Produce
- 1 ripe avocado, diced or sliced
- 4 cups romaine or mixed greens, washed and dried
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Dressing and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or preferred dressing
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook and Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook thoroughly over medium heat until golden brown and juicy, about 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces to retain moisture and tenderness.
- Cook Crispy Bacon: Fry bacon strips in a pan over medium heat or bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) on a rack until evenly crisp. Drain on paper towels and once cooled, chop bacon into small crunchy pieces to sprinkle over the salad.
- Prep Fresh Vegetables and Avocado: Wash and thoroughly dry the greens to prevent sogginess. Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion. Dice or slice the ripe avocado and gently toss with freshly squeezed lemon juice to prevent browning and maintain freshness.
- Toss Ingredients Together: In a large bowl, combine the sliced chicken, crispy bacon pieces, greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado. Add mayonnaise or your preferred dressing and toss carefully to evenly coat all ingredients without breaking up the avocado.
- Season and Serve: Finish with a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavors.
Notes
- Rest cooked chicken before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Use ripe but firm avocados for creamy texture without mushiness.
- Bake bacon on a rack for consistent crispiness and less mess.
- Keep greens completely dry to avoid sogginess.
- Add dressing just before serving for optimum freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: BLT salad, chicken salad with avocado, protein-packed salad, healthy lunch, gluten-free salad, low-carb salad
Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/blt-chicken-salad-with-avocado/