Description
This BLT Chicken Ranch Salad is your new favorite weeknight savior, packed with all the comforting flavors of a classic BLT but in a fresh, satisfying salad. It’s a delicious way to enjoy tender chicken, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and creamy ranch, all tossed together for a truly irresistible meal.
Imagine this salad, piled high with perfectly cooked chicken, savory bacon, crisp lettuce, and all your favorite BLT fixings, all brought together with a luscious ranch dressing.
Ingredients
4 cup rotisserie chicken, shredded
5 pieces cooked bacon, chopped, more if desired
1/4 red onion, finely diced
1 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 1/2 cup romaine, shredded
1 avocado, cubed
Ranch Style Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise, plain greek yogurt will also work great and cut the calories down a lot! Use more as needed.
3 Tbsp fresh dill, optional!
1/2 Tbsp ranch seasoning, or up to 1 full TBSP use more as needed, taste as you go.
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, about one lemon
2 Tbsp water, more as needed to thin the dressing and help it spread
Instructions
In a small food processor, combine the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, ranch seasoning, water, and half of the fresh dill for the dressing.
Blend the dressing ingredients until smooth. If the dressing seems too thick, add more water, about a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, halved grape tomatoes, the remaining dill, diced red onion, half of the chopped bacon, half of the shredded lettuce, and the cubed avocado. The other halves will be used for topping.
Pour three-quarters of the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir well to ensure it is evenly distributed. Add more dressing as needed to reach your preferred consistency.
Top the salad with the reserved bacon, lettuce, and any other desired garnishes and serve.
Notes
To ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked, use a meat thermometer. It should read 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
For the crispiest bacon, lay the strips in a single layer in a cold skillet, then turn the heat to medium. This allows the fat to render slowly, resulting in superior crispiness.
Be gentle when tossing the salad to avoid bruising the lettuce or breaking apart the bacon too much. You want every bite to have a delightful textural contrast.
Always start with a smaller amount of dressing and add more to your preference. It’s easier to add more dressing than to fix a salad that’s too soggy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American