How I Found My Go-To Weeknight Salad

I have a confession: I am endlessly picky about textures in a salad. I want crisp, creamy, salty, and bright all on one fork. A few summers ago I was trying to clean out the fridge before a small get-together and tossed together what I had on hand. The result became what I now call Savory BLT Chicken Salad, and it has quietly become my favorite weeknight lifesaver. If you like salads that pair savory and tangy in equal measure, you might also enjoy the flavor contrasts in this Asian chicken cranberry salad I bookmarked months later.

I love telling people that this starts like a BLT and finishes like your favorite chicken salad. It smells like bacon and fresh tomatoes when you mix it, and the romaine keeps everything pleasantly crunchy.

The Secret Behind Perfect Savory BLT Chicken Salad

What really makes this work is balance. Use 2 cups cooked chicken, diced, to anchor the salad, and 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled, for that irresistible savory pop. Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, to cut through the richness, and 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped, for crunch and color. The dressing is unapologetically simple: 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. That tiny spoonful of mustard wakes up the mayo and ties the bacon and tomato together.

When it comes to texture, make sure your chicken is diced into bite-sized pieces so every forkful gets meat, bacon, and veg. If the chicken is shredded instead, the salad leans softer; diced gives a satisfying chew. When the tomatoes pop in your mouth, you know you have the right ratio.

Building It: What I Toss Together

The actual assembly is almost embarrassingly easy, which is part of its charm. In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, crumbled bacon, halved tomatoes, and chopped lettuce. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later. I usually make this when I want something quick after work, but I have also taken it to potlucks where it vanishes.

A practical note while you’re mixing: taste the dressing before you pour it all in. I often start with less salt, because the bacon is already salty, and then adjust. If the mayo feels heavy, a squeeze of lemon brightens it without changing the basic recipe. When I am short on time, I sometimes substitute rotisserie chicken for the cooked chicken I had prepped earlier.

If you are curious how this compares to other chicken-salad styles, I occasionally riff on ideas I find online; for a charred, smoky spin try the method in this BBQ chicken skewer salad recipe for inspiration. The core idea is the same: keep the protein prominent and let the bacon and tomato sing.

Little Tricks I Use

I have learned a few small tricks that make this salad feel a little elevated without extra fuss. First, cook the bacon until it is crisp but not dry; the slight chew still gives texture. Second, pat the halved cherry tomatoes dry with a paper towel if they are particularly juicy so they do not water down the dressing. Third, chop the romaine so it’s roughly the same size as the chicken pieces; large lettuce leaves feel awkward on a fork.

Another tip is to assemble most of the salad but hold back a spoonful of dressing and some bacon to sprinkle on top just before serving. It keeps the top layer bright and crunchy, and people often comment on how pretty it looks. If you want a lighter version, swap half the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt; you keep creaminess but cut calories. I also sometimes add a handful of fresh herbs, like chopped parsley or chives, for a green kick.

You can tell this salad is done right when the flavors are balanced: the bacon is present but not overpowering, the tomatoes add a bright, juicy counterpoint, and the dressing evenly coats rather than puddles. Texturally, each bite should have a little crunch, a little cream, and a satisfying bit of chicken.

What I Serve It With and How I Store Leftovers

I serve this salad a few ways depending on the occasion. For a relaxed dinner, I place it on thick slices of toasted sourdough and call it an open-faced sandwich. For lunch, I pile it onto a bed of mixed greens or spoon it into halved avocados. It is also excellent tucked into pita pockets or scooped alongside kettle-cooked potato chips for a picnic.

Leftovers keep surprisingly well if you treat them thoughtfully. I prefer to refrigerate in an airtight container and eat within three days. If possible, store the dressing separately from the lettuce if you are making it ahead, because the lettuce softens over time. When I make it for a potluck, I sometimes pack the lettuce in one container and the chicken mixture in another, then combine them just before serving so everything stays crisp.

If you want a make-ahead plan, prepare the chicken and bacon ahead of time and keep the dressing chilled. When you get home from work, assemble everything quickly and you have dinner in minutes. That approach saved me more than once on busy weeknights.

Variations and Little Memories

I love how adaptable this salad is. For a creamier, richer version, add diced avocado at the end. For a fresher, herb-forward twist, mix in chopped basil and a splash of lemon juice. If you want to add fruit, a handful of halved grapes gives a sweet pop that plays well with bacon. Once I swapped romaine for peppery arugula and the whole bowl felt like a different personality—still great, just livelier. If you are fond of fruit and nuts, you might appreciate the flavor play in this blackberry chicken salad I made last season; it reminded me that chicken salads can take on so many moods.

A little memory I always smile about: the first time I served this to my skeptical neighbor, he kept coming back for more and finally admitted it was the best sandwich he had had in months. It felt like a small triumph—proof that simple, honest flavors win.

Conclusion

If you want a faithful companion to busy evenings, the Savory BLT Chicken Salad combines the comfort of mayo-based chicken salad with the crisp satisfaction of a BLT. For a similar take with health-focused tweaks and step-by-step photos, I often compare my version to the recipe at Healthy BLT Chicken Salad – Sweet Savory and Steph.