This BLT Chicken Salad is so easy to throw together and tastes amazing.  If you are looking for a quick make-ahead lunch option for the week, this is for sure a winner. 

 

As a mom of 4 who maintains our home and works, I am always in need of lunch that is ready for me so I’m not grabbing snacks all day.  Over the years, I have noticed that when I don’t have something healthy to grab, I will almost always grab the unhealthy stuff.  Can you relate?! 

 

This recipe is very basic yet tastes amazing, so it’s a win-win in my book.  Also, I fed it to my toddler this week and she LOVED it.  She doesn’t love anything but baked goods so it was pretty amazing to find something healthy packed with protein that she willingly eats. 

 

This post will cover why you should make your own food from scratch and all the things about this awesome BLT Chicken Salad, including the recipe below.

 

Please leave comments on how this goes for you and if you do any substitutions, I’m always game for ways to change things up!

 

The Benefits of Making Your Own Food from Scratch

 

Making your own food from scratch is a choice that comes with a range of benefits, from health and cost savings to creativity and connection with the ingredients.  In this blog post, we’ll explore why making your own food from scratch is the way to go and why homemade chicken salad is an ideal dish to make from scratch.

 

Healthier Eating

 

One of the most compelling reasons to make your own food is health.  Pre-packaged and fast food often contain preservatives, artificial flavors, excess sodium, and unhealthy fats.  In my post uncovering bad ingredients in food, you can read about how horrible some of our food really is, specifically things that come in a package.

 

When you cook from scratch, you have full control over what goes into your food.  You can choose fresh, high-quality ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives or processed foods that may not align with your dietary preferences or nutritional needs.

 

By preparing your meals, you can ensure that you’re using healthy oils, choosing clean meat, and incorporating a variety of vegetables, whole grains, and legumes into your diet.  If you are new to clean eating and have no clue where to start, read Clean Eating for beginners and see how simple it really can be.

 

Cost-Effectiveness

 

Buying food from scratch is often much more cost-effective than relying on pre-packaged meals or eating out.  You probably don’t even realize how much you are spending on eating out.  Add it up, I promise you will save money by eating at home more often.

 

Processed and ready-to-eat meals may seem convenient, but they often come with a higher price tag due to the packaging, marketing, and distribution costs involved.  By cooking from scratch, you eliminate these added expenses and can stretch your food budget further.

 

For a chicken salad, purchasing fresh chicken breasts, vegetables, and homemade ingredients (such as olive oil, lemon juice, and spices) will make you double or triple the amount of food for the same cost!  Plus, many of the ingredients used for making chicken salad can be reused in other meals throughout the week, providing even more value.

 

Full Control Over Ingredients

 

When you cook from scratch, you have complete control over the quality and sourcing of your ingredients.

You can choose organic, local, or sustainably sourced products, and avoid ingredients you may be allergic to or dislike, tailoring the dish to suit your preferences.

 

Mindful Eating and Connection with Food

 

Cooking from scratch fosters a deeper connection with the food you eat.  When you prepare your meals, you’re more likely to engage in mindful eating.

You’ll appreciate the flavors and textures of the chosen ingredients and gain a sense of pride and accomplishment in your cooking. Additionally, the act of preparing food can be meditative, helping you to unwind and focus on something productive outside of the stressors of daily life.

 

Better Portion Control

 

When you prepare food at home, you can decide exactly how much of each ingredient to use, giving you control over portion sizes. This can help prevent overeating and encourage balanced meals that meet your dietary goals.

 

---

Why Chicken Salad is Best Made at Home

 

Now that we’ve explored the benefits of cooking from scratch in general, let’s dive into why chicken salad is particularly well-suited for homemade preparation.

 

Freshness and Taste

 

The quality of fresh ingredients in a homemade chicken salad is hard to match. Store-bought chicken salad often lacks the vibrancy and depth of flavor that comes from freshly prepared ingredients.

When you make chicken salad from scratch, you can use freshly cooked chicken, crisp vegetables, and aromatic herbs, ensuring that each bite is flavorful and satisfying.

And you know exactly when it was made.  Even with dated items at the grocery store, you often don’t know if it was prepared in-house or in a factory somewhere and shipped.  And they don’t usually put the date it was made, they give you the ‘best by’ date.

I don’t know about you but that always makes me leary!

Customization

 

Chicken salad is incredibly versatile. When you make it at home, you can easily customize the ingredients to your liking.

While this post is about BLT chicken salad, there are so many variations of this meal.  Jen Fox and Haley Hendel are two Instagram faves of mine, they have a number of different chicken salad combos and they are all awesome!  You can find them on Instagram at @raisingfoxes and @_haleyhendel.

Homemade chicken salad can also be made to suit various dietary needs. Whether you’re following a low-carb, gluten-free, or dairy-free diet, making your own chicken salad allows you to cater to your unique preferences.

 

Fresh Ingredients for Better Nutrition

 

You can add a variety of vegetables, such as celery, bell peppers, cucumbers, or tomatoes, which enhance both the taste and nutritional profile of the dish. The addition of fresh herbs provides flavor without adding excess salt or sugar, ensuring that your chicken salad remains healthy and vibrant.

 

Flexibility for Different Occasions

 

This BLT Chicken salad is perfect for a variety of occasions, from casual lunches to potlucks or picnics. When you make it from scratch, you can prepare it in large batches, customize the flavors, and make it ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy weeks. Whether served on a bed of greens, stuffed in a pita, or paired with whole-grain crackers, homemade chicken salad is a flexible, satisfying meal option that can be tailored to different needs and preferences.

 

Why Make Your Lunch Ahead of Time?

 

When you plan and make your lunch ahead of time, you are taking one more decision off your plate for the day.  Many of us struggle with how to eat healthy while running too and fro, this is the solution.   Prep your food in advance on days when you have more time, that way you always have something to grab from your own fridge. 

 

This BLT Chicken salad recipe comes together quite quickly and will stay good in your fridge for 3-5 days no problem.  

 

Why I Love This Recipe

 

Fast

 

This recipe comes together in 20 minutes, and that is only because you have to cook the bacon.  If you substituted precooked bacon you could do it in 10 or less. 

 

Time is always important because we have busy lives with a lot going on.  And let’s be honest, this is only lunch, we don’t need to be slaving away for hours when we also have dinner and breakfast to figure out.

Paleo and Whole 30

 

This recipe meets Whole 30 and Paleo standards.  The ingredients are only meat and veggies and mayo.  To meet Whole 30 and Paleo guidelines you need to get avocado mayo.  I get mine from Costco, the brand is Chosen Foods.  I think Primal Kitchen makes one too.  

 

Filling

 

Sometimes, healthy stuff doesn’t always hit the spot or fill you up.  This does both of those things.  I think the saltiness of the bacon and the heartiness of everything mixed together really satisfies all of those cravings we typically have. 

Tools You Need

 

Chopping Knife

This JK Henkels one is my favorite, and it’s very affordable. 

Baking Sheet

USA Pan is the one I use and love. 

 

Ingredients Needed for BLT Chicken Salad

 

Bacon

I buy real bacon, usually the kind with no sugar, and cook it myself.  There is quite a flavor difference so I would highly recommend taking the extra 15 minutes to do this. 

Rotisserie Chicken

This just makes everything easier.  I take it apart while it’s still warm so it comes off the bones easier.  You will get a decent amount of chicken and only need to chop it all up and you’re ready to go. 

Cherry Tomatoes

Organic is best and grape tomatoes would work too.  I wouldn’t substitute any other type of tomato as it will fall apart in the salad. 

Green Onions

These add some green color and a little bit of extra flavor.

Avocado Mayo

Chosen Foods Mayo is my go-to, but Primal Kitchen makes a good one as well. 

Salt and Pepper

 

How To Make BLT Chicken Salad

 

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay bacon flat on it, bake for 15 minutes or until it is crispy. 

• While the bacon is cooking, chop up the green onions and slice the tomatoes, take apart the rotisserie chicken, and chop it into bite-size pieces. 

• Measure mayo into a large bowl and add the salt and pepper. 

• Add the tomatoes, onions, and chicken to the mayo mixture. 

• Take the bacon out of the oven and move to a paper plate lined with a paper towel to soak up any extra grease. 

• Chop or break the bacon into small pieces and add to the mixture. 

• Mix everything until all ingredients are well incorporated. 

• Serve immediately by itself or on a bed of romaine lettuce.