🥗 Healthy Chicken Salad (Creamy, Light & Flavorful)
Serves
3–4
⏱ Time
15 minutes (plus cooked chicken)
🛒 Ingredients
Base
-
2½–3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
(roasted, poached, or rotisserie) -
½ cup Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened)
-
1–2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional, for richness)
-
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
-
2 tbsp red onion or green onion, minced
Flavor boosters
-
1 tsp Dijon mustard
-
1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
-
Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional add-ins
-
Grapes or apple, chopped (sweet crunch)
-
Toasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
-
Fresh herbs (dill, parsley, chives)
-
Paprika or garlic powder
👨🍳 Instructions
-
Prep the chicken
Shred or dice into bite-size pieces. -
Mix the dressing
In a bowl, whisk yogurt, mayo (if using), mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. -
Combine
Add chicken, celery, onion, and any extras.
Gently fold until evenly coated. -
Taste & chill
Adjust seasoning. Chill 15–30 minutes for best flavor.
🍽 How to Serve
-
In lettuce cups 🥬
-
On whole-grain toast or croissant
-
Stuffed in pita or wrap
-
Over mixed greens
-
Straight from the bowl (no judgment)
❓ Q & A
Q: How do I keep chicken salad from being dry?
A:
Use dark meat or a mix of white + dark, and don’t skimp on acid (lemon/vinegar). Chill time also helps the chicken absorb moisture.
Q: Can I make it without mayo?
A:
Yes!
-
All Greek yogurt
-
Mashed avocado
-
Hummus
Each gives a different vibe but still creamy.
Q: How long does it last?
A:
3–4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Q: Best chicken to use?
A:
-
Rotisserie (easy + flavorful)
-
Poached chicken breast (clean & juicy)
-
Leftover roast chicken
Q: Can I make it spicy?
A:
Oh yes 🌶️
Add:
-
Sriracha
-
Chili flakes
-
Cajun seasoning
-
A little curry powder for a twist
Q: Is it meal-prep friendly?
A:
Very. Make a big batch and portion it out for lunches.
