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Are you in need of a quick and healthy lunch option that doesn’t skimp on flavor? Well, then look no further than The Ultimate Healthy Chicken Salad! This delicious chicken salad recipe is packed with protein and nutrition, making it perfect for those on-the-go. It’s packed with protein to keep you feeling fuller, longer, and is perfect for those weekly meal-preps.
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As someone who often doesn’t have time to make a complicated lunch, I am always on the lookout for easy and healthy lunch options. Whether that’s a delicious tuna salad or a quick & easy salmon, I love a lunch recipe that keeps me full and satisfied without sacrificing taste. That’s where this recipe comes in.
This truly is the ULTIMATE chicken salad, because it’s healthy, protein-packed, and loaded with flavor. I’ve always loved chicken salad, but the traditional recipe can be heavy on the mayo and lacking in nutritional value. That’s why I was thrilled to create a version that swaps out mayo for Greek yogurt, which adds a creamy texture while also providing a protein boost.
In addition, this recipe is truly SO easy to throw together. Simply cook and shred your chicken, chop up some veggies, mix in the Greek yogurt and seasonings, and you’re good to go! It’s the perfect option for meal prep, as it can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for several days. If you are someone who loves to meal prep, then this is truly the perfect recipe for you.
Three Ways to Enjoy Chicken Salad
If you find yourself wondering, “Nicole, how should I eat this chicken salad?” then let me be the first to tell you that there are so many different ways! No matter which way you choose to enjoy this chicken salad, it will be absolutely delicious, every time and every way. Guaranteed!
- Put it in a sandwich: A chicken salad sandwich is a classic dish that you truly can never go wrong with. Simply toast up some sourdough bread, add in a few lettuce leaves, and top this chicken salad on top. It’s delicious!
- Eat it on lettuce wraps: Want a lower-carb way to enjoy this chicken salad? Wrap it up in some romaine lettuce leaves for a crunchy, refreshing, and delicious way to eat this recipe!
- Scoop it with crackers: My favorite way to eat this chicken salad is alongside crackers. It’s the classic way to enjoy this recipe!
- Eat it with a spoon: This chicken salad is perfectly delicious, right out of the bowl. No other accompaniments required! Eat it with a spoon, right out of the bowl, for the perfect high protein snack.
What You Need to Make This Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Chicken: Of course, you will need chicken in order to make this chicken salad! You will need pre-cooked, shredded chicken for this recipe. I like using a rotisserie chicken for this recipe, but if you want to prepare your own chicken, follow my tips for making this perfectly juicy chicken!
- Celery: Not only does celery add the perfect crunch to this chicken salad, but it also adds fiber to keep your gut feeling happy!
- Red Onion: I love lots of diced onion in my chicken salad, because it adds so much flavor and crunch!
- Grapes: Grapes are loaded with potassium and Vitamin A, making them not only delicious, but healthy as well! I love adding grapes into my chicken salad to give it just the right amount of sweetness.
- Parsley: I highly recommend using fresh parsley, if possible. Not only does it give the best flavor, but it also adds the most beautiful pop of color!
- Sliced Almonds: Sliced almonds add the perfect amount of healthy fats and plant-based protein to keep your tummy feeling full and satisfied.
- Greek Yogurt: Traditional chicken salad gets its creaminess from mayonnaise. But as someone who isn’t the biggest fan of mayo, and prefers her food to be packed with protein, I love using greek yogurt in this recipe! It makes this salad perfectly creamy and adds a heaping dose of protein, making it the perfect addition for a healthier chicken salad recipe!
- Dijon Mustard: The dijon mustard adds the perfect tangy flavor that helps the “dressing” for this chicken salad perfectly come together.
- Lemon: A splash of lemon juice keeps this chicken salad feeling bright and refreshing, even after a few days in the fridge!
- Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt truly helps this chicken salad come together.
- Crackers: My favorite way to serve this chicken salad is alongside crackers! My favorite crackers are by Moonshot – they are absolutely delicious!
5 Steps to Making This 10-Minute Chicken Salad
This chicken salad recipe takes less than 10 minutes to throw together, making it the perfect easy lunchtime recipe! To make it, simply start by washing and preparing your grapes. Rinse them with water, then add them to a bowl of water with baking soda and sea salt and let them soak for 5 minutes to remove the film.
Next, chop and shred your cooked chicken, then set it to the side. Chop and prepare all of your veggies- the celery, red onion, grapes, and parsley- then add them to the bowl with the chicken alongside the greek yogurt, dijon mustard, sliced almonds, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper. Mix well and taste. Adjust the sea salt and pepper as needed!
Once done, serve with crackers, in lettuce wraps, or on toast and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to four days.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Gayle McLeod
Are you in need of a quick and healthy lunch option that doesn't skimp on flavor? Well, then look no further than The Ultimate Healthy Chicken Salad! This delicious chicken salad recipe is packed with protein and nutrition, making it perfect for those on-the-go. It's packed with protein to keep you feeling fuller, longer, and is perfect for those weekly meal-preps.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ Cups Chicken cooked and shredded
- 3 Stalks Celery chopped
- ½ Red Onion finely chopped
- 1 Cup Grapes cleaned and chopped
- ¼ Cup Parsley chopped
- ½ Cup Sliced Almonds
- ¾ Cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 Lemon zested and juiced
- 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Crackers
Instructions
- Start by washing and preparing your grapes. Rinse them with water, then add them to a bowl of water with baking soda and sea salt and let them soak for 5 minutes to remove the film.
- Next, chop and shred your cooked chicken, then set it to the side.
- Then, chop and prepare all of your veggies- the celery, red onion, grapes, and parsley- then add them to the bowl with the chicken alongside the greek yogurt, dijon mustard, sliced almonds, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper.
- Mix well and taste. Adjust the sea salt and pepper as needed!
- Once done, serve with crackers and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to four days.
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WHAT DID YOU THINK?
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i just made this recipe and I think it should say only zest the lemon and then a SPLASH of lemon juice, NOT the entire lemon. other than that it was good.
This is pretty good, but it’s VERY lemony! All I taste is lemon and parsley, so if you like those two things this is a great recipe for you!
Love the recipe. The last time I made it I had to use what was in my house and didn’t have the full amount of yogurt so I blended cottage cheese for part of it. Didn’t have grapes so threw in some chopped apples. Then thought we can always use more fiber so I threw in some flax seed. Nice change up! So not only is this a great salad as written it is also a great starting point for a wide variety of different salads. I am thinking that it could also be the base for an egg salad or tuna salad for those that are looking for variety!
I am so grateful for your support, Mary! Thank you so much!
Wow… I just made this tonight for a picnic tomorrow and anticipate it’ll be even better after sitting overnight, which is saying something because it’s absolutely delicious immediately after making! So happy to have a healthy chicken salad recipe that’s easy to make and fits my family’s health goals. Thanks for a great recipe!
I am so happy that you and your family enjoyed it, Molly! Thank you so much for your review!
Absolutely delicious and satisfying! I added a chopped mini cucumber. Fabulous recipe and I love that it is healthy and quick!
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed it, Carolyn! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for your review!
Trying to figure out how this recipe has 2198 mg of sodium. Is this a typo.
This was my first time making this recipe. I didn’t have almonds available, but end product was still delicious & will definitely be added to the regular rotation!!
I love this homemade recipe!!
Do you have a recipe for low calorie green salad?
Let me know.
What is the measurement per cup for counting macros?
I found your recipe today and I wanted to compliment the ingredient choices however I wonder is there a yogurt that is less sour, lighter flavor that you know of? I don’t like yogurt and I feel it has an overwhelming taste in anything it’s in. My hubby loved the recipe but wondering if you may have any suggestions on a less flavorful yogurt? We used Chobani for reference.
Bless you Katy! This was so delicious and filling. I love a salad that has fruit and also how versatile this is. I made it today and added some spinach, and instead of grapes I did apple and raisins. Amazing. I will do a chickpea version this week. Definitely will be my go-to meal almost every day, haha!
Wow, this recipe is great! I much prefer the use of greek yogurt over mayonnaise. I also appreciated the author included a recipe to prepare chicken. The chicken turned out very juicy and flavorful. Typically I like chicken salad on bread, but this recipe is so good even on its own. This will be my new go-to lunch recipe.
Love this recipe!! I’m super picky about chicken salad. I think it gets easily ruined by too much mayonnaise. I left out grapes and parsley because I didn’t have them, but It was perfect anyways!
Love your recipes but cannot stand the constant bombardment of ads is overwhelming while trying to use the site on my devices.
Delicious! Absolutely amazing!! My husband loved it too!
Awesome 👏 great taste the lemon helps with that zing. I used a green apple 🍏 as well. So good Ty for posting. Those of you complaining about a calorie count grow up and learn to weigh ur own portions and do it urself.
I am so happy you enjoyed it, Tony! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for your review!
This is delicious! Do you have calorie and protein count? And how large of a serving?
Sooooo delicious! A harmony of flavors in this salad. Do not do shortcuts by using dry herbs. The fresh is so worth it. I love the lemon. It’s such a nice change from mayonnaise. Well done!
Love this salade. I’m gone make it again tomorrow. Perfect on home made sourdough sandwichbread.
I swapped out the grapes and almonds for walnuts and craisins- partially to make it more wintery, but also because I just had it on hand. Delicious!!
I am so glad that you found a variation of this recipe that works well for you, Sarah! Thank you for your review!
This was absolutely delicious and I felt great about eating it knowing it is packed with protein and nutrient rich foods! It is the perfect take-to-work lunch! I’ll be making this weekly.
I am so happy to hear that, Bria! Thank you so much for your review!
Wow! Amazing. I tried out this recipe looking for a more healthy alternative to mayo & this recipe did not disappoint. Followed it to a T! I served it with romaine lettuce and as another option, Ezekiel bread. So yummy and delicious!
I am so thrilled to hear that, Tallie! Thank you so much for your review!
This was delicious! I’ve never had grapes in my salad before but it absolutely works! I used miracle whip instead of Greek yogurt since I didn’t have any.
I am so happy that you enjoyed it, Katalina! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving a kind review!
Fantastic! So delicious and flavorful.
I am so happy that you enjoyed it, Christine! Thank you so much for your review!
I made this chicken salad and it is delicious. I was out of the sliced almonds so I added a few chopped pecans. I will definitely be making this again. It was easy and I served it on a bed of lettuce leaves.
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, DeAnna! Thank you so much for making it and for leaving such a kind review!
I made this and it’s delicious, but when you call something the ultimate healthy anything, you should include calorie counts.
Hi Charles, calories aren’t the only measure of whether or not something is healthy. ☻ here is more info on why I don’t include nutritional information on my recipes: https://kalejunkie.com/why-i-decided-not-to-include-nutrition-information-on-my-blog/
Delish! Do you have nutritional facts you can share on this recipe?
Hi Kate! Unfortunately I do not provide nutritional information for my recipes, and you can read more about why, here: https://kalejunkie.com/why-i-decided-not-to-include-nutrition-information-on-my-blog/
Delicious and nutritious! This healthy chicken salad is packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. A perfect guilt-free meal option!”
I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed it, Noah! Thank you so much for your review!
This is by far the best chicken salad recipe I’ve ever had! You will not miss the mayo!
I put this on a HERO Bread Croissant for an absolutely delicious, nutritious high protein lunch!
Thank you for this delicious recipe!
Kim, I am so thrilled to hear that! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving such a kind review!
I was shocked at how delicious this was! Best chicken salad I’ve ever had. I made it for dinner and my whole family loved it.
Woohoo! I love hearing that, Ashley! Thank you so much for your review!
I love this recipe! I was just wondering if you had the nutritional content and serving size?
Wow! This really is delicious! I’ve been looking for a healthy – but tasty – chicken recipe and I’m so glad I found this! The only thing I did different was add a little garlic powder because I’m a garlic-a-holic, but I followed the rest of the recipe exactly as written. LOVED IT! Thank you!
Woohoo! I am so thrilled you loved this recipe, Anne! Thank you so much for your kind review!
Incredible. Didn’t have parsley but subbed some flakes and it did the trick. I ate with crackers and can’t wait to have it in a wrap tomorrow!
I’m so glad it turned out well for you, Meg! Thank you so much for your review!
This is probably the best chicken salad Ive made! It is delicious!
I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Angela! Thank you so much for making it, and for leaving such a kind review!
I just made this chicken salad and it was perfect. I love how the parsley makes the whole salad taste super fresh. I am not a fan of Greek yogurt but I followed this recipe exactly and it was perfect, I didn’t miss the mayo at all. This will be on rotation all summer in this house!
Yay! I am thrilled to hear that, Ashley! Thank you so much for making this recipe, and for leaving such a kind review!
Will 5% Greek yogurt work in this le should I do non fat?
5% is totally fine! ☻
I have never eaten chicken salad in my life, because I don’t like mayo, but for some reason this recipe looked so good to me when I saw it on your page. I’m so glad I tried it! I love it with the Greek yogurt, and the combination of the celery, grapes, and almonds is so perfect. It also worked great as a meal prep option to pack for lunches. This is will definitely be a repeat. Thanks for all the great recipes!
Colleen, this makes me SO happy to hear! I am thrilled that you loved this chicken salad recipe so much. Thank you so much for all of your support, and for leaving such a kind review!