Okay, friends, let’s talk salad! But not just any salad. We’re talking about the queen of all salads: a Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad. Seriously, if you’re craving something crispy, savory, and just plain delicious, this is it. Think of it as your favorite fried chicken sandwich, but, you know, *deconstructed* and way more fun.
I’ve been making this salad for years, tweaking it here and there until it’s absolute perfection. And trust me, the combo of that crispy chicken with the salty bacon, juicy tomatoes, and cool lettuce? It’s a total game-changer. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick to whip up, which is always a win in my book! So ditch the boring salads and get ready for a Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad that’ll knock your socks off!
Why You’ll Love This Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
Seriously, there’s a million reasons to adore this salad, but here are a few of my *faves*:
Quick and Easy
Let’s be real, who’s got all day to cook? This Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad is ready in under an hour, so it’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something fast and yummy.
Customizable Ingredients
Don’t like tomatoes? Swap ’em for something else! Wanna add avocado? Go for it! The beauty of this Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad is that you can totally make it your own. It’s super flexible!
Flavorful and Satisfying
Crispy fried chicken, salty bacon, creamy dressing… I mean, come on! This Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad is a flavor explosion in your mouth. Plus, it’s surprisingly filling, so you won’t be reaching for a snack an hour later.
Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad Ingredients
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad. Don’t skimp on the quality – it makes a difference! I always try to get the freshest stuff I can find. Here’s the list:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch chunks)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2-3 cups – enough to come halfway up your pan)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled (because, bacon!)
- 1 head lettuce, chopped (I like Romaine for the crunch!)
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Prepare Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here’s the lowdown on how to make this amazing salad. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks! Just follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down on a Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad in no time!
Preparing the Flavorful Fried Chicken
First, grab your chicken and give it a good chop into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, whisk together that flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika – this is our flavor bomb! Dip each chicken piece in the buttermilk (this helps the flour stick), then dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. Now, heat up your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You’ll want it hot enough so a drop of water sizzles, but not smoking! Carefully add the chicken and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Trust me, you’ll know when it’s ready. Drain on paper towels to get rid of extra oil. Careful, it’s hot!
Assembling the Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
This part’s super easy! In a large bowl, combine that chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and crumbled bacon. Mmm, bacon. Now, gently add your crispy fried chicken to the salad. Finally, pour that creamy dressing over everything and toss gently until everything is coated. Don’t over-mix, you want to keep that chicken crispy!
Making the Creamy Dressing for Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
This dressing is what *makes* the salad, in my opinion. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Taste it and adjust! More lemon if you like it tangy, more mustard if you want a bit of a kick!
Tips for the Best Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
Want to take your Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad from good to *amazing*? Here are a few of my top tips!
Marinating the Chicken
Seriously, don’t skip this! Marinating the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or even longer!) makes it extra tender and flavorful. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
Keeping the Salad Fresh
Nobody likes a soggy salad! To keep your lettuce crisp, make sure it’s completely dry before assembling the salad. Also, add the dressing right before serving. It makes a huge difference!
Adjusting the Dressing
The dressing is your chance to shine! Don’t be afraid to tweak it to your liking. More lemon? More mustard? Go for it! The perfect dressing makes all the difference in this Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad.
Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad Variations
Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic recipe? Awesome! Now let’s get a little crazy! The best thing about this Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad is how easily you can switch things up. Here are a couple of my favorite twists:
Spicy Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
Want to add some heat? A pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for the chicken does the trick! Or, drizzle some hot sauce over the finished salad. Yowza!
Adding Vegetables to Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
Seriously, anything goes! I love adding diced avocado for creaminess, or cucumber for extra crunch. Bell peppers? Totally! Get creative and use what you have!
Serving Suggestions for Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
Alright, so you’ve got your amazing Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad all ready to go. Now what? Well, honestly, it’s pretty darn perfect on its own! But if you’re looking to make it a full meal, a side of crispy fries is *always* a winner. Or, for something lighter, how about a refreshing glass of iced tea or lemonade? Yum!
Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad Storage & Reheating Instructions
Okay, so you’ve got leftovers? Awesome! Store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. That way, your lettuce won’t get all sad and soggy. But honestly? This Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad is best enjoyed fresh. If you *must* reheat the chicken, a quick zap in the air fryer can help bring back some of that crispiness, but no promises, okay?
Frequently Asked Questions About Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
Got questions about this Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad? I get it! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me:
Can I use Air Fryer for the Flavorful Fried Chicken?
Absolutely! If you’re trying to be a *little* healthier (or just don’t want to deal with the oil), air frying the chicken is a great option. Just spray it with a little oil and cook at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Easy peasy!
How to store the Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad?
Like I mentioned before, the key is to store everything separately! Keep the salad, chicken, and dressing in separate airtight containers in the fridge. That way, nothing gets soggy, and you can enjoy it for lunch the next day (if it lasts that long!).
Can I prepare Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad in advance?
You *can* prep some of the ingredients ahead of time, like chopping the lettuce, dicing the tomatoes, and cooking the bacon. But seriously, don’t assemble the whole salad until you’re ready to eat! Otherwise, you’ll end up with a sad, soggy mess. Nobody wants that!
Nutritional Information for Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad
Okay, so here’s the deal: figuring out the *exact* nutritional info for this Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad is kinda tricky. It really depends on the brands you use, how big your chicken pieces are, and how much dressing you slather on (oops!). So, I can’t give you an exact number, okay? Just keep in mind that the nutritional content can vary, and this isn’t meant to be a super precise calculation. Just enjoy it!
Enjoy Your Flavorful Fried Chicken Blt Salad!
Okay, my friend, that’s it! Time to dig in! I really hope you love this Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad as much as I do. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And don’t forget to share a pic on social media! Happy eating!
Print
Irresistible Flavorful Fried Chicken BLT Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
Enjoy a crispy and satisfying fried chicken BLT salad with a creamy dressing.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 head lettuce, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk, then dredge in flour mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain chicken on paper towels.
- In a large bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add fried chicken to the salad and toss with dressing.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before frying.
- Adjust dressing ingredients to your liking.
- Add other vegetables like avocado or cucumber to the salad.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
