The Ultimate Grilled Chicken and Bacon Salad with Tangy Dijon Vinaigrette

Prepare to elevate your salad game with this incredible Grilled Chicken Salad with Bacon. Featuring perfectly marinated, juicy chicken breast, crisp bacon, fresh greens, and a vibrant Dijon vinaigrette that pulls double duty as both a marinade and a dressing, this recipe is anything but boring. It’s a flavor-packed, protein-rich meal that’s ideal for a satisfying lunch or a delightful dinner, offering both incredible taste and excellent meal prep potential.

There’s nothing quite like a well-crafted salad to brighten up your week, especially when it’s substantial enough to keep you full and energized. This Grilled Chicken and Bacon Salad has become my go-to obsession for that very reason. Each component is thoughtfully prepared and then harmoniously tossed in a homemade lemon and Dijon vinaigrette. It’s a culinary triumph that guarantees delicious leftovers, making your subsequent meals quick and effortless. Say goodbye to dull, uninspired salads and welcome a dish that’s bursting with freshness, texture, and mouth-watering flavor.

Once you’ve savored every bite of this irresistible chicken and bacon creation, be sure to try my equally delightful Chopped Chicken Antipasto Salad for another fantastic and easy meal.

Why This Grilled Chicken and Bacon Salad is a Must-Try

This isn’t just another salad; it’s a complete culinary experience designed for satisfaction and convenience. Here’s why this grilled chicken and bacon salad deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation:

• Protein-Packed Powerhouse: With generous amounts of lean grilled chicken and savory bacon, this salad provides a substantial protein boost, keeping you full and satisfied for hours.
• Flavor Harmony: The combination of tender marinated chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a bright Dijon vinaigrette creates a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite.
• Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt this salad to your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Add extra veggies, nuts, or cheese for a personalized touch.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: The components hold up beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prepping healthy lunches for the entire week. Just keep the dressing separate until serving!
• Effortlessly Delicious: Despite its gourmet taste, this salad is surprisingly simple to make, perfect for both weeknight dinners and weekend entertaining.

Essential Grilled Chicken and Bacon Salad Ingredients

When I first shared this recipe in 2018, I called it a “BLT Chicken Salad,” but with its distinct lemon and Dijon mustard dressing, it truly shines as a grilled chicken salad with bacon. While you could certainly opt for an Avocado Ranch Dressing for a more traditional BLT twist, the homemade Dijon vinaigrette is what makes this rendition truly stand out. Here’s a closer look at the key components:

• Dijon Vinaigrette: This star component does double duty, acting as both a flavorful marinade for the chicken and the zesty dressing for the finished salad. Its bright, tangy profile is simply irresistible.
• Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast is the primary protein. While chicken thighs or tenders would also work, the leaner breast meat is a great choice when paired with the richness of bacon and avocado, creating a balanced meal.
• Bacon: Adds a crucial salty, smoky crunch and an extra layer of protein. Opt for good quality uncured, sugar-free bacon for the best flavor and a healthier profile.
• Romaine Lettuce: Provides the perfect crisp base for the salad. However, feel free to use your favorite mixed greens, spring mix, or even a blend of butter lettuce and arugula for varied textures.
• Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved, contribute a delightful burst of sweet and tangy juiciness, cutting through the richness of the other ingredients.
• Avocado: An optional but highly recommended addition, avocado lends a creamy texture and a dose of healthy fats, enhancing the salad’s satisfying qualities and flavor complexity.

Crafting the Tangy Dijon Vinaigrette: Ingredients & Tips

This versatile Dijon vinaigrette is a recipe in itself – truly a standout. It’s my absolute favorite dressing for this grilled chicken and bacon salad, and it also pairs beautifully with other vibrant salads like my Strawberry Spring Mix Salad. You can adjust the sweetness by adding maple syrup or keep it sugar-free; either way, it’s always free of refined sugars and packed with fresh flavor. The key is its simplicity and the balance of tang and richness.

• Olive Oil: As the foundation of the vinaigrette, a good quality extra virgin olive oil binds all the flavors together, providing a smooth and luxurious texture.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient delivers a sharp, fruity tang that is essential to balancing the richness of the Dijon and lemon, creating a cohesive flavor profile.
• Dijon Mustard: More than just a flavor enhancer, Dijon mustard is crucial for emulsifying the dressing, giving it a creamy texture and a signature pungent, tangy taste.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is non-negotiable here. It infuses the vinaigrette with bright, fresh acidity that perfectly complements the chicken and greens.
• Maple Syrup: A touch of natural sweetness (optional) can soften the acidity and round out the flavors. Adjust to your preference, or omit for a strictly savory dressing.
• Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds an aromatic depth that elevates the entire dressing. If fresh garlic isn’t available, a teaspoon of garlic powder makes a convenient substitute.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the other flavors. Always taste and adjust to ensure your vinaigrette is perfectly seasoned.

Pro Tip for Vinaigrette: When combining your vinaigrette ingredients, whether in a jar or a bowl, whisk or shake vigorously until the mixture is thick and emulsified. This ensures all the flavors are perfectly blended and the oil and vinegar don’t separate. Making it a day or two in advance allows the flavors to meld even further, intensifying its deliciousness.

Cooking Your Chicken for the Grilled Chicken Salad

While I often opt for boneless, skinless chicken breast for its lean profile—especially since this salad includes bacon and avocado—there’s flexibility in your protein choice. Chicken tenders also work beautifully, offering a quicker cooking time, or you can use chicken thighs if you prefer a richer, more succulent meat. The key is to marinate it thoroughly in that incredible Dijon vinaigrette to infuse every bite with flavor and ensure tenderness.

Various Cooking Methods for Perfectly Juicy Chicken:

The recipe below details how to cook your marinated chicken in a skillet on the stovetop, yielding a beautifully seared exterior and a juicy interior. However, the versatility of this recipe means you have other excellent options:

• Outdoor Grill: For that authentic smoky flavor and gorgeous grill marks, transfer your marinated chicken to a hot grill. Grill over medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Air Fryer: An air fryer offers a fantastic way to achieve crispy yet tender chicken with minimal oil. After marinating, place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through. Check out my guide for air fryer boneless chicken thighs for more tips.
• Oven Baking: If you prefer a hands-off approach, bake the marinated chicken breasts in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until fully cooked.

No matter your chosen method, always allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every piece is wonderfully moist and flavorful.

Achieving Perfectly Crispy Bacon

Crispy bacon is a non-negotiable for this salad! It adds an irresistible crunch and a savory depth that elevates the entire dish. While the package directions are a good starting point, here are a few tips for achieving bacon perfection:

• Oven Method: For consistently crispy bacon with less mess, lay bacon strips in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet (for easy cleanup). Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until desired crispiness is achieved. This method prevents curling and ensures even cooking.
• Stovetop Method: Cook bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. This allows the fat to render slowly, resulting in crispier bacon. Flip occasionally until golden brown and crispy.
• Pat Dry: Before cooking, gently pat the bacon dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture, promoting crispiness.
• Drain Excess Fat: Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra grease. This ensures maximum crispness.

Once cooled slightly, roughly chop the crispy bacon into bite-sized pieces, ready to be sprinkled generously over your salad.

Assembling Your Irresistible Chicken and Bacon Salad

With all your components prepped – the chicken perfectly cooked, the bacon crispy, and the vinaigrette ready – it’s time to bring this masterpiece together. The beauty of this salad lies in its vibrant presentation and the delightful combination of textures and tastes.

• Layer the Greens: Start by dividing the fresh romaine lettuce or mixed greens among four individual plates or bowls. Creating a good base is essential for a visually appealing and satisfying salad.
• Add Your Toppings: Generously scatter the chopped crispy bacon, halved cherry or grape tomatoes, and creamy chopped avocado over the greens. Ensure an even distribution so every bite has a mix of ingredients.
• Top with Chicken: Arrange the sliced or chopped grilled chicken breast over the other ingredients. The warm or room-temperature chicken will subtly wilt the greens and mingle with the flavors.
• Dress to Impress: Drizzle a generous amount of the homemade Dijon vinaigrette over each salad. You can also serve extra dressing on the side, allowing everyone to customize their portion.
• Toss and Serve: Gently toss the salad just before serving to combine all the elements and ensure every leaf and piece of chicken is coated in the flavorful dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

This salad is not only delicious but also incredibly practical for meal planning. It serves four generously, making it perfect for family dinners or for a smaller household to enjoy as satisfying leftovers for lunch the next day. Proper storage is key to maintaining freshness and flavor.

• Separate the Dressing: The golden rule for storing salads is to keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. This prevents the greens from becoming soggy. Store the Dijon vinaigrette in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator.
• Store Components Individually: For optimal freshness when meal prepping, store the cooked and cooled chicken, crispy bacon, chopped tomatoes, and avocado in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• Prevent Avocado Browning: If prepping avocado in advance, toss it lightly with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to prevent browning. Store it in an airtight container, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the avocado to minimize air exposure.
• Lettuce Longevity: Wash and thoroughly dry your lettuce before storing it in a sealed bag or container lined with a paper towel. This helps absorb excess moisture and keeps it crisp.
• Shelf Life: When stored correctly, the individual components of this salad will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes it an ideal choice for healthy, ready-to-assemble meals throughout the week.

More Delicious Salad Recipes to Explore

If you love the concept of satisfying, flavor-packed salads, you’re in luck! Here are a few more of my favorite recipes that bring excitement to your plate:

• Pear, Apple, and Blue Cheese Chicken Salad: A refreshing blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
• Strawberry Caprese Chicken Salad: A delightful twist on a classic, perfect for spring and summer.
• Chopped Chicken Antipasto Salad: Full of Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and robust flavors.

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