Description
Craving a fresh, hearty salad that’s perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or a light Valentine’s Day meal? Slow Cooker BLT Chicken Salad is your answer! Adapted from the original recipe, this slow cooker version features tender, slow-cooked chicken combined with crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, and a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and spices.
Ingredients
- Cooked Chicken (3 cups, chopped, ~1.5 lbs raw chicken breast or thighs):
- Why it’s important: Provides a tender, protein-rich base.
- Substitutions: Turkey, tofu, or plant-based chicken for vegetarian.
- Bacon (1 lb, diced and cooked until crisp):
- Why it’s important: Adds smoky, crispy texture and savory flavor.
- Substitutions: Turkey bacon, pancetta, or vegan bacon bits.
- Cherry Tomatoes (1 cup, cut in half):
- Why it’s important: Brings juicy, sweet-tart flavor and vibrant color.
- Substitutions: Grape tomatoes, diced Roma tomatoes, or roasted red peppers.
- Red Onion (½ small, diced small, ~¼ cup):
- Why it’s important: Adds sharp, savory crunch.
- Substitutions: Shallots, green onions, or omit for milder flavor.
- Celery (2 stalks, diced, ~½ cup):
- Why it’s important: Provides crisp texture and subtle freshness.
- Substitutions: Cucumber, fennel, or jicama.
- Mayonnaise (½ cup, light or regular):
- Why it’s important: Creates a creamy, tangy dressing base.
- Substitutions: Greek yogurt, vegan mayo, or sour cream.
- Lemon Juice (1 tbsp):
- Why it’s important: Adds bright, tangy flavor to the dressing.
- Substitutions: White vinegar or lime juice.
- Salt (½ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Enhances the flavors of the salad.
- Substitutions: Sea salt or kosher salt.
- Garlic Powder (½ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Adds savory, aromatic depth to the dressing.
- Substitutions: 1 minced garlic clove or ¼ tsp garlic paste.
- Onion Powder (½ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Brings subtle, savory sweetness to the dressing.
- Substitutions: 1 tbsp grated onion or ¼ tsp onion flakes.
- Black Pepper (¼ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Adds mild heat and depth.
- Substitutions: White pepper or a pinch of cayenne.
Additional for Slow Cooker:
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs (1.5 lbs, boneless, skinless, for cooking):
- Why it’s important: Base for the cooked chicken in the salad.
- Substitutions: Bone-in chicken (increase cooking time by 1 hour on low).
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth (¼ cup):
- Why it’s important: Keeps the chicken moist during slow cooking.
- Substitutions: Water or white wine.
- Garlic Powder (½ tsp, for slow cooker):
- Why it’s important: Adds subtle flavor to the chicken.
- Substitutions: 1 minced garlic clove or omit.
Tip: Use light mayonnaise for a lower-calorie option, and cook bacon until extra crisp to maintain texture in the salad. Dice vegetables finely for a cohesive mix.
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Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken in the Slow Cooker
- Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking.
- Place 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper, and add ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth for moisture.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked (165°F/74°C internally).
- Remove the chicken, let it rest for 5 minutes, then chop or shred into bite-sized pieces (yielding ~3 cups). Set aside to cool completely.
- Tip: Check doneness early to avoid overcooking, and drain excess liquid if needed to prevent a watery salad.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
- Dice 1 lb bacon into small pieces. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess grease. Set aside to cool.
- Tip: Cook bacon in batches to ensure even crisping, and save a little bacon grease for flavoring other dishes if desired.
Step 3: Prepare the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, and ¼ tsp black pepper until smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice for extra tang if needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Tip: Start with less salt and pepper, as bacon and chicken add saltiness, and adjust after mixing the salad.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups chopped cooked chicken, crispy bacon, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup diced red onion, and ½ cup diced celery.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and stir gently with a spatula or tongs until evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or mayonnaise if desired for extra creaminess.
- Tip: Mix gently to avoid breaking the chicken or bacon, and add tomatoes and celery last to maintain their texture.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve the BLT chicken salad immediately for the freshest flavor, either on its own, in lettuce cups, on toasted bread, or with crackers.
- Alternatively, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes for a cooler, more cohesive salad.
- Garnish with extra bacon crumbles or a sprinkle of parsley if desired.
- Pair with a side of fruit salad, cucumber slices, or sweet potato fries for a complete meal.
- Tip: Serve in heart-shaped lettuce cups or on heart-shaped bread for a romantic Valentine’s Day touch.
