By now you guys should know I’m a huge fan of shredded chicken. We always have it on hand and it makes such an easy protein during the week to repurpose in numerous ways. And this healthy chicken salad is such a quick and tasty way to use it!
This chicken salad recipe was mentioned to me by our operations manager Clara when we were talking about recipe development. She mentioned it’s her go-to way so I decided to give it a try. And let me tell you, it’s my new favorite way to make chicken salad!
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It’s bright and fresh and has a touch of sweetness, which I love. It’s also not doused in mayo and lightly dressed with greek yogurt (although you can add more or less if you like). With the addition of juicy grapes, crunchy celery and nuts, and lemon juice to keep it super light and fresh, it’s the perfect combo.
Prep a batch at the beginning of the week for an easy, protein-packed, and gluten-free option to have on hand for busy days!
Why you’ll love this healthy chicken salad recipe
- made from simple ingredients and ready in 15 minutes with some shredded chicken on hand.
- full of flavor and texture – it’s crunchy and creamy and has the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- versatile – use it on salads, in sandwiches, or just as a quick protein option paired with some carbohydrates, veggies, and fat for a complete meal.
- great for meal prep – it’s great to make at the beginning of the week to have on hand for an easy meal. The flavors get better the longer it sits too!
Is a chicken salad healthy?
Chicken salad can be a healthy addition to any diet. Chicken is packed with lean protein which is going to help fill you up and keep you full. It also usually has some veggies and fruit for micronutrients and fiber.
Store-bought chicken salad can be loaded with a lot of fat due to the amount of mayo used, which can add calories easily. Using greek yogurt will reduce the number of calories and fat and also add more protein. When making it at home, you have full control over your ingredients.
Ingredients
- shredded chicken
- grapes – they add the perfect sweetness.
- celery – for some crunch!
- almonds – toasted and then chopped for an extra depth of flavor.
- plain greek yogurt – for creaminess and more protein. I like using full fat for extra flavor.
- fresh lemon juice and lemon zest
- dijon mustard
- fresh dill
- salt and pepper
How to make healthy chicken salad with greek yogurt
- Toast the almonds. Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add almonds and toast for 3-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to brown and get fragrant. Immediately remove from heat and roughly chop.
- Make the chicken salad. Add all ingredients to a medium bowl. Mix well to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! Serve in a sandwich, salad, or however you like!
How to serve
- chicken salad sandwiches or lettuce wraps – with your favorite sandwich additions.
- salad – serve on a bed of lettuce with your favorite veggies.
- with chips, crackers, or sliced veggies
- in a power bowl – add some kind of grain, veggies, and avocado for an easy bowl meal.
- chicken salad melts – on top of a piece of toast and then melt a little cheese on top. SO GOOD!
- as is – honestly, I love this as is with some veggies and carbs for a complete meal on days we are super busy.
Meal prep
Greek yogurt chicken salad is a great option for meal prep. It saves well in the fridge and the flavors get better as it sits. The nuts will lose a little of their crunch, but the flavor will still be there. You can easily double or triple this recipe if needed.
Storage
- refrigerator – store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
- freeze – I wouldn’t recommend freezing this recipe due to greek yogurt used.
Substitutions and additions
The beauty of chicken salad is how versatile it is. You can make this your own depending on what you have on hand. Here are some of my suggestions:
- shredded chicken – I like boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but chicken thighs will also work the same. You can also use a rotisserie chicken from the store for convenience.
- celery – if you don’t like celery, leave it out.
- almonds – any kind of nuts will work. Pecans or walnuts would be good subs.
- grapes – diced apples would work well instead.
- greek yogurt – dairy or dairy-free yogurt will work. You can also substitute mayo if you don’t like yogurt or want to make it paleo and Whole30. Using mayonnaise will add more fat and calories to the recipe.
- dijon mustard – leave out if you don’t like mustard.
- fresh dill – fresh parsley will work instead.
Here are some additions you can add:
- red onion or green onions – for some zip
- spices – garlic powder or onion powder would work well.
More healthy chicken salad recipes
- buffalo ranch chicken salad
- chicken bacon ranch salad
- cranberry pecan chicken salad
- chicken cabbage salad
- chopped southwest chicken salad
- avocado chicken salad
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Healthy Chicken Salad
ingredients
- 1/2 cup almonds (65 grams)
- 4 cups shredded chicken (1 pound)
- 1 1/2 cups grapes, quartered (225 grams)
- 1 cup diced celery (120 grams)
- 1 cup greek yogurt (8 ounces – I used full fat)
- zest from one lemon
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
instructions
- Toast the almonds. Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add almonds and toast for 3-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to brown and get fragrant. Immediately remove from heat and roughly chop.
- Make the chicken salad. Add your shredded cooked chicken, celery, almonds, grapes, greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, dijon mustard, dill, and salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Mix well to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! Serve in a sandwich, salad, or however you like! For the best flavor, let chill in the fridge for a few hours.
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This chicken salad was amazing!! I was wary of making one that only had greek yogurt (and not part mayo), but the flavor was perfect.
So happy to hear you liked it! Thanks for trying it!
I’ve eaten this for lunch almost every day of the past two weeks. The lemon juice and dijon mustard really give the yogurt some depth. It’s so so good. You would never know that it is healthy!
Love to hear it!! So glad you are enjoying it so much Austin!
Love the addition of dill and lemon! Really adds to the flavor. I might add in red onion next time. Will definitely make again!
That sounds like a great addition! Glad you enjoyed it Adah and thanks for trying it!
This is the best chicken salad recipe that meets my macros and is absolutely delicious. I ate this everyday for lunch and was actually excited for it 😆
Yay, that makes me so happy to hear! So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for trying it!
This is a great chicken salad! I never liked the heaviness of mayo in chicken salad, and the use of the Greek yogurt does the trick! The grapes add a sweetness, and the lemon a slight tang, the perfect combo!! A definite warm weather treat for lunch! (and more)
I agree, I love the use of yogurt in it! So glad you enjoyed it Nancy, thanks for trying it!
The best
Glad you enjoyed it, Dan!
Loved this
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic
Thanks, Dan!