Delicious Carnivore Chicken

I've been eating this protein-loaded carnivore chicken salad for lunch almost daily lately. The mix of soft chicken, rich dressing, and crispy bacon makes such a filling meal that keeps me going all afternoon without feeling stuffed or sluggish.

This dish came about during one hectic workweek when I needed quick but healthy food options. Now it's part of my regular meal planning, and my folks constantly ask for it whenever we have outdoor gatherings or need something fast for dinner.

What You'll Need

• Canned Chicken: 1 can serves as your handy protein foundation that soaks up all the good flavors
• Mayonnaise: Forms the smooth base for your salad - add more or less depending how creamy you want it
• Sour Cream: 2 Tbsp brings a nice zip and smooths out the texture
• Bacon: Sliced adds that irresistible smoky crunch everyone loves
• Cheddar Cheese: 1.5 oz grated gives a wonderful richness that works so well with chicken
• Garlic: To taste freshly chopped builds flavor depth and aroma
• Black Pepper: To taste grab the grinder for best flavor punch
• Parsley or Dill (optional): Gives a pop of green and fresh herb taste

How To Make It

Get Your Chicken Ready:

Pop open your chicken can and drain it completely in a strainer. Press lightly with a fork to squeeze out extra water so your dressing sticks better later on.

Set Up Your Base:

Dump the drained chicken into a big mixing bowl and break it apart using two forks. Breaking it up means more chicken gets coated with tasty dressing.

Whip Up The Dressing:

Scoop in your mayo and sour cream with the chicken. Start with about 3 tablespoons mayo and add more if you want it creamier. The sour cream makes everything lighter and adds a bit of tang.

Add Your Flavors:

Shake in your black pepper and toss in fresh minced garlic. Don't be shy with the pepper - it really brings out the richness of everything else. Stir all this together until smooth and fully mixed.

Fix Your Extra Bits:

Cook bacon till it's nice and crunchy, then let it cool fully before chopping it small. Cooling stops it from getting soft when mixed in. If possible, grate your cheese right before using for the freshest taste.

Mix In The Goodies:

Toss your chopped bacon and grated cheese into the bowl. The bacon gives that amazing crunch while the cheese brings a rich, slightly salty kick that makes the chicken taste even better.

Combine Everything:

Fold everything together gently until it's all evenly spread out. Don't mix too hard or you'll mush up the chicken texture too much.

Cool It Down And Eat:

For the best flavor, stick it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before eating. This lets all those tasty elements come together perfectly. Enjoy it with carnivore bread or just straight from the bowl for a protein-rich meal.

I gotta say, bacon is the real hero of this dish. The first time I made this salad without it, it was decent, but tossing in that crispy bacon totally changed the game. That mix of smooth chicken and crunchy bacon bits creates such an amazing texture contrast that turns this basic salad into something that feels fancy.

Keeping It Fresh

This chicken mix stays good in the fridge for up to 4 days if you keep it in a sealed container. For best results, lay a paper towel across the top before putting the lid on to soak up any extra moisture. Funny enough, it actually tastes better on day two since the flavors have more time to mix together. I usually make twice as much on Sundays so I've got easy lunches ready for most of the week.

Ways To Enjoy It

This chicken salad tastes great just eaten with a fork, but you can enjoy it lots of other ways too. Try it tucked into lettuce leaves for some extra crunch, stuffed in halved bell peppers for a pretty look, or scooped onto cucumber slices for a nice snack. When you want something more filling, try it with slices of avocado or wrapped in a low carb tortilla. At our last family get-together, I set up a make-your-own chicken salad station with different toppings and ways to eat it. Everyone got to customize their own and they all loved it.

Swapping Ingredients

You can easily switch things up based on what's in your kitchen. Instead of canned chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken works great - just tear it into small pieces for the right texture. You can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream if you want more protein. For different flavors, try swapping in pepper jack cheese for some heat or blue cheese for a tangy kick. You can use turkey bacon for a lighter version, or chopped prosciutto for something a bit fancier. The basic creamy chicken mixture still tastes awesome no matter what tweaks you make.

With its perfect mix of creamy and crunchy textures, this chicken salad will soon become the lunch you look forward to every day!

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I use fresh chicken instead of canned?

You bet! Swap out the canned stuff for shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken or home-boiled chicken if you want better flavor and texture. Just make sure you shred the chicken well before adding the other stuff.

→ How long does this chicken salad keep in the refrigerator?

When you pop it in a sealed container, this chicken mix will stay good in the fridge for about 3-4 days. It actually tastes even better after sitting overnight as the flavors blend together.

→ What can I serve with this chicken salad besides carnivore bread?

This flexible chicken mix works great on cucumber rounds, wrapped in lettuce leaves, scooped up with pork rinds, or eaten straight from the bowl for a true meat-lover's meal.

→ Is this suitable for meal prep?

For sure! This chicken salad works wonders for meal prep since it keeps well and gets tastier over time. Make a big batch on Sunday for quick, protein-packed meals all week long.

→ Can I add vegetables to this salad?

The basic recipe sticks to animal foods only, but you can totally throw in some chopped celery, red onion, or sweet peppers if your diet isn't strictly carnivore. These extras will add some nice crunch and extra flavor notes.

→ What seasonings work best in this chicken salad?

Garlic powder, onion powder, smoky paprika, and fresh ground pepper really shine in this mix. If you want herbier flavors, try adding some dried dill or chopped fresh parsley to complement the creamy base.