There’s something about biting into crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado all wrapped up in cool, crunchy lettuce that just feels right. This BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wrap is exactly thatfresh, satisfying, and honestly way easier than it looks.
I started making these wraps back in 2019 when I desperately needed lunch to feel less like a sad desk situation and more like an actual meal. The trick I learned after way too many soggy disasters? Pat everything dry before wrappingespecially that bacon and those tomatoes. After ten years of writing about food, I can tell you this one’s a keeper that actually holds together without falling apart in your lap.
BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wrap is a refreshing and simple dish perfect for any meal. This recipe features crispy bacon, creamy chicken salad, and fresh veggies wrapped in crunchy romaine for a delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
3 cups cooked and finely shredded chicken breast
1/2 cup light mayo
2 tbsp dried minced onion found in the spice aisle of any grocery store- you can use a few finely diced green onions in its place but its not as good in my opinion
1 tsp celery salt found in the spice aisle of any grocery store- do not sub celery seed with this
romaine lettuce leaves
6 slices cooked bacon
1–2 medium ripe avocado about 8 oz or 1 cup diced without skin and pit
1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
Combine the shredded chicken, dried minced onions, celery salt, light mayo, and freshly ground pepper in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
Chill the chicken salad in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to allow the onions to soften.
Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, then score it vertically and horizontally while still in the skin and scoop out the diced pieces.
Toss the diced avocado with lime or lemon juice, then season generously with salt and pepper.
Cook or crisp the bacon using your preferred method, then chop it into pieces.
Layer 2 to 3 romaine leaves to form a small boat shape, fill with about 1/2 cup of chicken salad, and top with the halved cherry tomatoes, bacon pieces, and diced avocado.
Assemble the wraps just before serving or store components separately for meal prep.
5g net carbs 339 sodium 3g fiber Helpful notesIf you do WW: I find weighing my avocado in grams is the most accurate for counting points
You can have up to 36 of avocado for 1 pt or 12g for 0 pts
I weigh out how much I want and add it to be accurate
Avocado is full of healthy fats that keep you full and satisfied so the more the merrier! Chicken: you can use easy rotisserie chicken instant pot shredded chicken crockpot shredded chicken or easy baked chicken! Lettuce: You can iceberg or bibb lettuce as well but I love the fresh crunch from romaine and iceberg the most
Bibb lettuce is very soft
Celery salt: if you can’t find celery salt I would just use fine sea salt pepper and a little garlic powder
Do not replace with celery seed but you could very finely dice a celery rib and add to still get a little celery flavor
Tomatoes: If using a big tomato just give it a good dice
If its super juicy
Put the cut up tomatoes on a paper towel and let that sop up the extra juice for a few minutes then add to the wraps
Prep Time:10 minutes
Category:Appetizer, Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 wrap
Calories:195 kcal
Sugar:1 g
Sodium:339 mg
Fat:9 g
Saturated Fat:2 g
Carbohydrates:4 g
Fiber:2 g
Protein:24 g
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This might just be the ultimate lunch that doesn’t make you feel like you need a nap afterward. Crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes tucked into crunchy romaineit’s like a BLT and chicken salad had the best possible baby.
No oven required: Perfect for those days when turning on the stove feels like climbing a mountain
Meal prep magic: Keep everything in separate containers and build as you gogenius for busy weeks
Light but satisfying: You get all the good stuff without feeling weighed down
Family-approved: Even my pickiest eater will demolish these, which is saying something
The Secret Ingredient Trick
Here’s the thing about dried minced onion that changed my chicken salad game forever: it rehydrates in the mayo and gives you perfect little bursts of onion flavor without the crunch or tears. I used to dice fresh onions and wonder why my salad always tasted harshthis spice aisle hero solved everything.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the 20-minute chill time. Those onions need to soften up, or you’ll be eating what tastes like onion-flavored gravel. Trust me on this oneI learned the hard way at a very awkward potluck.
The celery salt is another quiet superstar here. It adds that classic chicken salad flavor without needing to chop actual celery, which always seems to go bad in my crisper drawer before I remember it exists.
How to Make It Work
Start by mixing your shredded chicken with light mayo, dried minced onion, celery salt, and pepper. The chicken salad base needs at least 20 minutes in the fridgethis is when the magic happens and everything melds together beautifully.
While that’s chilling, prep your toppings. Cook your bacon until it’s crispy (or cheat with the pre-cooked stuffno judgment here), dice your avocado and toss it with lime or lemon juice plus salt and pepper, and halve those cherry tomatoes. If your tomatoes are super juicy, let them hang out on a paper towel for a minute to avoid soggy wraps.
When you’re ready to eat, stack 2-3 romaine leaves to create a sturdy boat shape. Add about half a cup of the chilled chicken salad, then pile on the tomatoes, bacon, and avocado. The key is building these fresh each timenobody wants a sad, wilted wrap.
Component
Prep Time
Make-Ahead Tip
Chicken Salad
5 minutes + 20 min chill
Keeps 3 days refrigerated
Bacon
5-10 minutes
Cook ahead, store separately
Avocado
3 minutes
Dice day-of, toss with citrus
Assembly
2 minutes per wrap
Build fresh when ready to eat
Smart Swaps and Tweaks
No celery salt? Use regular fine sea salt with a pinch of garlic powder instead. Just don’t swap in celery seedit’s way too intense and won’t dissolve like the salt does.
You can absolutely use iceberg lettuce if you want maximum crunch, or bibb lettuce if you prefer something softer and more delicate. I’m Team Romaine because it holds up without being too floppy, but you do you.
Original Ingredient
Easy Swap
Dried minced onion
Finely diced green onions (not quite as good, but works)
Romaine lettuce
Iceberg or bibb lettuce
Light mayo
Greek yogurt mixed with a little mayo
Cherry tomatoes
Diced regular tomato (pat dry first)
Serving and Storage
These BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps are perfect for lunch, light dinner, or even as an appetizer when you’re trying to look fancy but secretly want something easy. Serve them cold with maybe some chips on the side if you’re feeling snacky.
Storage game plan: Keep everything in separate containers for up to three days. The chicken salad, cooked bacon, and prepped tomatoes all store beautifully on their own. Dice the avocado fresh each day and toss with citrus juice to keep it from turning brown.
When you’re ready to eat, just build your wrap fresh. It takes two minutes and tastes infinitely better than trying to store assembled wraps, which turn into a sad, soggy mess faster than you can say “meal prep fail.”
How I Finally Nailed My BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wrap
I must have made this BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wrap a dozen times before getting it right. The first few rounds were a soggy messturns out, you really do need to drain that chicken well and pat the bacon dry. Now it’s crunchy, creamy, and holds together like a dream.
FAQs ( BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wrap )
What type of lettuce works best for wraps?
Butter lettuce or Boston lettuce are ideal because their leaves are tender yet sturdy enough to hold filling without tearing. Iceberg lettuce also works well for extra crunch. Avoid delicate greens like spinach or arugula as they tear easily when wrapped.
Can I make the chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes, this recipe tastes even better after flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator. Store the chicken salad separately from lettuce leaves to prevent wilting. Add fresh herbs just before serving for the brightest flavor and best texture.
How do I keep the bacon crispy?
Cook bacon until extra crispy and drain on paper towels completely before chopping. Add bacon to the chicken salad just before serving rather than mixing it in hours ahead. This prevents the bacon from becoming soggy from the mayonnaise.
What can I substitute for mayo?
Greek yogurt works wonderfully as a lighter alternative, providing tang and creaminess. Mashed avocado creates a healthier binding agent with great flavor. You can also use half mayo and half Greek yogurt for a balanced approach that reduces calories.
How long does this dish stay fresh?
The chicken salad stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container. Always store lettuce leaves separately and wash them just before assembling. Assembled wraps should be eaten within 2 hours to maintain crispness.
You’ll love how this BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wrap comes together in under thirty minutes and actually stays crunchy. The bacon adds that perfect salty crunch, the avocado makes everything creamy and dreamy, and that little trick with the dried onion? Total game-changer. It’s the kind of lunch that feels like you really took care of yourself, even on the messiest of days.
Want to switch things up? Try adding a drizzle of ranch or a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning on topboth are ridiculously good. If you’re packing these for work, toss the avocado with extra lime juice and keep a small ice pack in your lunch bag. My mom taught me that trick years ago, and it’s saved so many sad brown avocados from the trash. You can also swap in rotisserie chicken to make it even faster on those chaotic Wednesday nights.
I’d absolutely love to see how yours turn outtag me if you make them or tell me in the comments what you added to make them your own. Did your family grow up with lettuce wraps, or is this a fun new adventure? Either way, save this recipe for your next lunch that needs to feel less like an afterthought and more like an actual treat. Happy wrapping, friends!
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
