Easy Chicken Salad with Bacon
Tender rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, grapes, pickles, and hard boiled eggs. This Easy Chicken Salad with Bacon is a protein-packed recipe perfect for sandwiches, quick lunches, or meal prep.
Recipe and post update on 3/25/26
This isn't your average chicken salad recipe. Think lots of texture and creaminess. It's a bold, flavor-packed upgrade on the classic.
You get the perfect sweet and salty combo from grapes and pickles, smoky crunch from crispy bacon, and extra protein from hard-boiled eggs, all tossed in a creamy yet lighter dressing made with mayo and Greek yogurt.
It's quick and easy to make (especially with rotisserie chicken), and even if you're unsure about the grape-and-pickle combo, trust me, it works! The contrast is what makes this recipe so good.
Watch Me Make It
Chicken salad is great for luncheons, baby showers, and tea parties.
In addition to everyday lunches and snacking, chicken salad is an ideal item to serve at small gatherings. It's easy to put together and you can customize the salad however you like.
Depending on your theme or time of day, chicken salad can be the star of the show with buttery croissants and a couple side options like chips, fruit and veggies, or you can serve the salad in addition to other party foods with a variety of crackers for scooping. Either way, everyone will love it.
Ingredients You Need
- Chicken- I like to use a rotisserie because it's convenient but also has great flavor.
- Red grapes are preferred over green as they are sweeter.
- Dill pickles for a salty, briny taste.
- Bacon cooked crispy. You only need 3 slices for this recipe.
- Hard boiled eggs offer extra protein and great texture.
- Greek yogurt- You can use fat-free or full-fat, plain Greek yogurt.
- Mayo
- Yellow mustard is optional but a touch really balances the creaminess.
- Salt and pepper
How To Make Easy Chicken Salad
- Step One- Make the dressing by combining the ingredients in a bowl until creamy.
- Step Two- Add all the chicken salad ingredients to a serving bowl and pour in all the dressing.
- Step Three- Toss to combine until all the ingredients are well coated.
Important Note From Ang:
This chicken salad recipe is dressed super creamy. You can always add to taste if you enjoy your salad with a little less dressing.
Best ways to serve chicken salad?
There are so many ways to enjoy chicken salad and here are some classics:
- Buttery croissant - Most common and can be toasted or untoasted.
- Whole-grain bread - This is probably my favorite; I always have sandwich bread on hand.
- Butter lettuce - A great option if you want a light lunch or something with fewer carbs.
- Crackers - Any kind of cracker will do but I particularly like multi-grain or butter crackers for scooping.
- A spoon - Because sometimes that's all I have time for. 😉
Common Questions
Store-bought rotisserie chicken is great because it already has flavor and it's convenient. Use any mild flavored leftover chicken - white or dark meat.
Chicken salad will stay fresh in a sealed container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. If making ahead for a party or luncheon, leave out the crispy bacon until just before serving. The bacon will still be good after a few days but it's especially good when fresh and crispy.
Yes, however, the mayo offers a creaminess you can't get from Greek yogurt alone. It will also be a lot tangier if using all yogurt.
Variations and Add-Ins
Classic chicken salad is made up of chicken, celery, green onion and mayonnaise, however, like this chicken salad with bacon, you can add or modify with other ingredients you enjoy. It's super versatile.
- Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
- Avocado offers a layer of creaminess, plus, it's so good for you!
- Dried fruit is a nice touch and especially handy if you don't have grapes on hand.
- Cheddar cheese
- Black olives
- Dijon mustard instead of yellow mustard.
Love Chicken Salads? Try These Combinations Next!
- Simple Chicken Salad
- Mexican Chicken Salad
- Healthy Harvest Chicken Salad
- Mediterranean Coleslaw Chicken Salad
- Mom's Chinese Chicken Salad (With Crispy Fried Vermicelli Noodles)
Easy Chicken Salad with Bacon
Equipment
- small mixing bowl
- serving bowl
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 1 cup red grapes sliced in half
- ½ cup dill pickles, chopped
- 3 bacon slices, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 3 hard boiled eggs, roughly chopped optional
Dressing
- ½ cup mayo
- ½ cup full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine mayo, Greek yogurt, and mustard until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
- In a serving bowl add the chicken, grapes, pickles, hard boiled eggs, and half of the bacon. Pour in the dressing and gently toss to combine. Top with remaining bacon and enjoy right away or place in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Note: Some of the links on my website are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra charge to you.
