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Tired of traditional chicken salad? Spice up your life with this ultra-creamy chicken salad with bacon! Featuring shredded chicken breasts, crispy bacon, tangy cream cheese, and plenty of flavorful everything bagel spice, this chicken bacon salad is far from boring or bland. Best of all, you’ll need just 7 simple ingredients and 10 minutes of hands on preparation for this better-than-the-classic chicken salad recipe. (Instructions on how to easily poach and shred chicken included in the recipe!)

Featured comment: This is definitely a novel way to make chicken salad. I’ve never tried adding cream cheese or everything spice, but oh man it’s REALLY GOOD! Thanks very much for sharing this.” – Bernard

Overhead photo of chicken salad with bacon, celery, and fresh herbs in a white bowl.

Update: This post was originally published in August 2018. I’ve updated the post below to include more information about homemade chicken salad. Plus, I’ve included a recipe video to show you how easy this creamy chicken salad with bacon is to make! 

Hey there, friends! Well, I’m assuming most kids are already back to school, or quickly approaching the dreaded day! It’s unbelievable how fast summer zips by, right?!

While I (obviously) did love summer break, I was one of those weirdos who absolutely loved the first day of school back in my youth. The shiny new notebooks, colorful pens, blank day planner, fresh new threads… I mean, what’s not to like?

And if the creamy, dreamy chicken salad I’m sharing today was waiting for me in my lunch box cooler, I would have really loved every day of school!

Table of Contents

About this bacon chicken salad 

A creamy, savory, slightly tangy mixture of tender, shredded chicken, salty bacon, crunchy celery, fragrant shallots and flavorful everything but the bagel spice.

This dreamy salad is perfect tucked in crisp lettuce as a warp, delicious piled high on a sammie, scrumptious served as a dip with crackers or superb simply eaten with a spoon!

Packed with flavor, ridiculously easy to make and full of feel-good nutrients, this spiced chicken salad is far from boring or bland, and will give your traditional, old-fashioned chicken salad a run for its money!

Overhead photo of two raw chicken breasts poaching in a large pot of water.

FAQs: creamy bacon chicken

What’s the best way to cook chicken for creamy chicken salads?

There are numerous ways to cook chicken to use in chicken salad– on the grill, sautéed in a pan, roasted in the oven, or slow cooked in a crockpot – or you can use already cooked rotisserie chicken or canned chicken if you are looking to take a shortcut. However, my favorite way is to poach the chicken. Poached chicken is tender, moist, incredibly easy to prepare and lends itself to the perfect chicken for chicken salad!! I’ve included instructions on how to poach chicken in the notes section of the recipe below.

How to make creamy chicken salad without mayo?

To make creamy chicken salad without any mayonnaise, you can substitute plain strained Greek yogurt for the mayo. Or, if you like a tangy flavored chicken salad, you can substitute sour cream!

What to add to chicken salad with cream cheese?

Chicken salad is extremely versatile, and you can add a variety of flavors and ingredients depending on what you like.

Delicious ingredients to add to this chicken salad

  • Hard-boiled Eggs: Finely dice eggs for added creamy texture!
  • Pickles: Add pickle relish or finely dice dill pickles to give the salad a bit of tangy flavor!
  • Bell Peppers: De-seed and finely dice a bell pepper to add a touch of sweet, fresh taste!
  • Olives: Black or green olives lend a meaty texture. Use green olives for a mild flavor and black olives for a stronger flavor.
  • Grapes: Fresh grapes are the perfect way to add a bit of juicy texture!
  • Apple: Peel and dice an apple to add a fresh crunch! Try Fuji or Golden Delicious apples if you like things sweet or Granny Smith if you prefer a bit of tart flavor!
  • Jalapeño: Slice or finely dice a jalapeño for a touch of spicy flavor!
  • Dried Fruit: Cranberries and raisins are always a welcome addition for a bit of chewy texture! Try brown raisins for a slightly sweet and fruity flavor or golden raisins for a stronger sweet and fruity flavor with a hint of tartness. Or, try cranberries for a hint of sweet and sour flavor!
  • Nuts: Shake things up and add a bit of crunch! Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews or pecans are all delicious! Make sure you toast the nuts to enhance their flavor and texture.

What spices to use in bacon chicken salad recipes?

There are a variety of spices you can add to chicken salads! While this recipe uses Everything Bagel Spice, try mixing and matching different dry spices to create a chicken salad that is perfect for your palate!

How many calories in chicken salad bacon?

The exact number of calories in chicken salad will depend entirely on the recipe and specific ingredients used. This creamy chicken salad recipe serves 6 and has approximately 235 calories per serving.

Overhead photo of cooked, shredded chicken, cream cheese, crispy bacon, celery, onions, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl.

How to make chicken salad with bacon?

Creamy chicken salad is easy to make and can be customized according to taste and how much time you have! In a pinch? Use rotisserie chicken! Looking to save a few dollars? Poach your own chicken!

Tips for the best chicken bacon salad

  1. You can use any type of cooked chicken for this chicken salad. I like to cook my own chicken (versus using the stuff in a can), so I can control the salt and seasoning, which is why I always poach chicken breasts. I have included instructions on how to poach chicken in the notes section of the recipe below.
  2. To quickly shred cooked boneless skinless chicken (breasts or thighs), place warm chicken in a large bowl and use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) on low. Or, add it to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until shredded.
  3. Whipped cream cheese has a lighter, fluffier texture than traditional block cream cheese. It lends a better texture to the chicken salad, but you can use block cream cheese if desired. Regardless, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing!
  4. The amount of everything bagel seasoning in your chicken salad entirely depends on personal preference. Just like seasoning with salt and pepper, make sure you are seasoning your chicken salad with everything spice to taste!

Step by step photos: making chicken salad with bacon

Serving cream cheese chicken salad

Chicken salad is one of those versatile dishes that I love to have on hand in the refrigerator. It’s perfect in a pinch, but also can be dressed up or down for a delicious appetizer or easy main meal.

The possible ways to serve chicken salad are pretty limitless, but here are some of my favorite options!

  • Platter: With crackers, fresh vegetables or toasted baguette (as a part of a crudité, charcuterie or cheese spread)!
  • Lettuce Wraps: Pile chicken salad high in endive leaves or romaine lettuce cups!
  • Traditional Salad: Top lettuce greens with bacon chicken salad, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrots, green onions, croutons, etc.
  • Sandwich: Layer salad between slices of multigrain bread, artisan bread, croissant, bagel or English muffins.
  • Wrap: Generously stuff it into a pita or roll it up in a flour tortilla.
  • Pasta Salad: Stir creamy chicken salad into warm pasta for a different take on chicken pasta salad!

If you’re looking for leafy green chicken salads to serve alongside, consider these family favorite recipes: 

What to serve with chicken salad with bacon recipe?

Chicken salad is extremely versatile and pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes. However, since chicken salad is creamy, I would not advise pairing it with another creamy side dish (such as potato salad or macaroni salad) or you will end up with a meal that is too heavy.

Best side dishes for pairing

How much chicken salad per person?

Chicken salad is perfect for feeding a crowd since it is quick and easy to make, can be made in advance, and keeps well in the refrigerator.

The amount of chicken salad needed per person will greatly depend on how it is being served:

  • For chicken salad served as a main – plan on 8-10 ounces of chicken salad per person
  • For chicken salad served in a sandwich or wrap – plan on 4-6 ounces per person

Close-up angled photo of creamy chicken salad with cream cheese, bacon, veggies, and fresh herbs

Storing chicken salad recipe with bacon

Chicken salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of bacteria. Properly stored, chicken salad will last for 3 to 5 days… if you don’t eat it all before that!

Can I freeze this chicken salad?

Although it’s completely possible to freeze this bacon chicken salad recipe, it is NOT advisable. Since this recipe contains both cream cheese and mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), both of which will taste completely different once thawed. Mayonnaise will separate once thawed, cream cheese will have a less creamy texture and the celery will become watery once defrosted.

Instead of freezing fully prepared chicken salad, try freezing chicken salad partially assembled!

To freeze this chicken salad:

  • Poach and shred the chicken.
  • Toss the chicken with bacon.
  • Place the chicken mixture in a freezer-safe, zip-closure bag in the freezer.
  • When ready to use, place the chicken mixture in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
  • Once defrosted, mix the chicken with cream cheese, mayonnaise, vegetables and seasonings. Enjoy!

Close-up photo of a creamy cream cheese based salad with chicken, bacon, celery, onions, and fresh herbs.

Make boring chicken salad a thing of the past and give yours a tasty twist with this Creamy Bacon Chicken Salad! One bite and I guarantee this will be your new go-to for easy lunches, light dinners, snack time and everything in between!

Until next time, friends, cheers – to chicken, everything spice and a salad so nice!

Cheyanne

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More creamy salads with chicken!

The best Creamy Bacon Chicken Salad with cream cheese recipe plus step-by-step recipe video👇

Overhead photo of bacon chicken salad in a large white serving bowl with a ramekin of sliced scallions next to the bowl.

Creamy Chicken Salad with Bacon

5 from 11 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Creamy Chicken Salad with Bacon recipe featuring tender chicken breasts, crispy bacon, rich cream cheese and everything spice. Bursting with flavor and only requiring 7 ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on preparation, this Bacon Chicken Salad is everything you'd want in the classic sandwich!

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound Cooked Chicken Breasts – shredded or diced
  • ½ Cup Cooked Bacon – crumbled, or more to taste (about 6 slices)
  • 1/2 Cup Celery – finely diced (about 2 small stalks)
  • 1 large Shallot – finely diced
  • 4 ounces Whipped Cream Cheese – at room temperature (SEE NOTES)
  • 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise (substitute: Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream)
  • 1 ½ - 2 TBS Everything Bagel Seasoning - or more to taste (SEE NOTES)
  • To Taste Kosher Salt & Pepper
  • Optional Mix-Ins: Sliced Scallions, Toasted Sliced Almonds, Dried Cranberries
  • Optional for Serving: Lettuce, Avocado, Sliced Tomatoes, Sliced Radishes, Sliced Cucumbers, Sliced Red Onion
  • Optional for Sandwiches: Croissants, Multigrain bread, or Bagel

Instructions

  • Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese with the mayonnaise until combined.
  • Toss the Chicken Salad: To the bowl with the cream cheese mixture, add the cooked chicken, bacon, celery, shallots, and everything bagel seasoning. Stir to combine.
  • Adjust for Taste: Taste the bacon chicken salad and adjust for seasoning as you see fit, adding more salt for overall flavor, more everything bagel seasoning for savory flavor, and mayonnaise or cream cheese for a creamier salad.
  • Optional - Chill Chicken Salad: For the best results, cover the bowl of chicken bacon salad and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer to allow the flavors to develop and marry.
  • Serve as a salad, sandwich, or wrap. Serving suggestions:
    Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to dollop bacon chicken salad on sandwich bread, croissants, bagels, and english muffins.
    Stuff the salad inside lettuce wraps or tortillas.
    Serve over a bed of leafy greens.
    Enjoy the creamy chicken salad straight from the bowl with your favorite crackers and chips.

Video

Notes

  1. In my humble opinion, the best chicken for chicken salads is poached chicken. However, you can use rotisserie chicken and leftover roasted, baked, or grilled chicken as well. Just be sure to remove the skin before dicing the chicken, if applicable. 
  2. To quickly shred cooked boneless skinless chicken (breasts or thighs), place warm chicken in a large bowl and use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) on low. Or, add it to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until shredded.
  3. Whipped cream cheese has a lighter, fluffier texture than traditional block cream cheese. It lends a better texture to the chicken salad. You can purchase whipped cream cheese at the store, or whip it yourself to save some coins. Regardless, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing!
  4. The amount of everything bagel seasoning in your chicken salad entirely depends on personal preference. Just like seasoning with salt and pepper, make sure you are seasoning your chicken salad with everything spice to taste!
Nutritional information is an estimate based upon 6 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcal    Carbohydrates: 4g    Protein: 29g    Fat: 11g    Saturated Fat: 3g    Cholesterol: 77mg    Sodium: 685mg    Potassium: 276mg    Fiber: 1g    Sugar: 2g    Vitamin A: 170IU    Vitamin C: 0.6mg    Calcium: 43mg    Iron: 0.9mg
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

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