We love a good chicken salad recipe and this cilantro lime chicken salad might be my easiest one to date! It’s light and fresh, packed with protein, and comes together with just 5 simple ingredients you probably have on hand!
To be honest, I was not a big fan of chicken salad growing up. We never really had it and I’ve never been a huge fan of mayo-heavy dishes. It wasn’t until the past few years that I rediscovered chicken salad and I can say my mind was completely changed.
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It’s now one of my favorite things to prep for an easy week. Plus they are full of protein and healthy fats, and you can customize them however you want.
I find once the chicken salad sits for a bit, the better it gets. The flavors have a chance to come together and you get the tang from the yogurt and lime and some spice from the red pepper flakes. Make a big batch for meal prep and serve it however you like during the week!
Why we love this cilantro lime chicken salad recipe
- made with 5 simple ingredients
- ready in 5 minutes
- packed with protein – one cup has 39 grams of protein!
- 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!
Cilantro lime chicken salad ingredients
- shredded chicken
- plain greek yogurt – I like using full fat for more flavor.
- lime juice
- fresh cilantro
- red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper
How to make cilantro lime chicken salad
- Make the chicken salad. Add greek yogurt, lime juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to a medium bowl and mix well to combine. Add in your shredded chicken and cilantro and stir until incorporated with the yogurt mixture. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! Serve in a sandwich, salad, or however you like!
What to serve with chicken salad
- bread, toast, rice cakes, wraps, or tortillas – with lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese, and whatever favorite sandwich additions you like!
- salad – toss it with mixed greens and veggies for an easy meal.
- crackers or tortilla chips
- veggies – carrots, celery, or bell peppers
- fruit – apple, grapes, cherries, or berries
How long is chicken salad good for?
Store chicken salad in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
Can you freeze chicken salad?
You can freeze chicken salad, but since it’s made with yogurt, the texture will change. Dairy products can become grainy and watery once frozen and defrosted and it will not be as good as fresh chicken salad.
Substitutions and additions
- shredded chicken – I like boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but chicken thighs (skin on or off) will also work the same. You can also use a rotisserie chicken from the store for convenience.
- plain greek yogurt – full-fat or fat-free will work. Dairy or non-dairy yogurt will also 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.
- cilantro – parsley will work instead.
- red pepper flakes – use less for less spice.
Here are some additions to change it up:
- avocado – I love adding avocado to the cilantro and lime flavor combo. Chop some up and mix it up with the yogurt.
- green or red onions – a great addition to add a little bite.
- veggies – bell pepper, chopped tomatoes, corn, or jalapeños would be great for this.
- black beans – for some added texture and fiber.
- spices – garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, or similar southwestern spices to take it up a notch.
More healthy chicken salad recipes
- cranberry pecan chicken salad
- hummus chicken salad
- avocado chicken salad
- healthy chicken salad with grapes and almonds
- buffalo ranch 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!
Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad
ingredients
- 3/4 cup plain full-fat greek yogurt (6 ounces)
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (use less for less spicy)
- 4 packed cups shredded chicken (1 pound)
- 1/2 packed cup cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
- Make the chicken salad. Add greek yogurt, lime juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to a medium bowl and mix well to combine. Add in your shredded chicken and cilantro and stir until incorporated with the yogurt mixture. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! Serve in a sandwich, salad, or however you like!
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Made it. Ate it. LOVED IT. My husband loves cilantro. Using Greek yogurt is soooo much better than using mayo. It just makes it creamier and lighter.
Thank you!!!
So glad it was a hit! The combo is really light and refreshing. Thank you for trying it!
Can’t wait to try it love chicken recipes
This one is so easy!!
WE LOVE chicken salad; and I love the idea of using coconut yogurt. I haven’t seen it yet at the stores that I frequent, but I bet it might be at Sprouts?
This brand is only local to Austin right now, but there should be another brand you could use. I think co-yo is one, or another dairy free kind!