By now y’all 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!
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) and some lemon juice to keep it super light and fresh.
Prep it at the beginning of the week for an easy and protein-packed and gluten-free option to have on hand for busy days.
Healthy chicken salad highlights
- it takes 15 minutes to make – with a little prep of having some shredded chicken on hand, it only takes about 10 minutes to come together.
- 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 what ingredients you are using.
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 grapes and almonds
- Toast the almonds. Heat up 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
- sandwiches or lettuce wraps – with your favorite sandwich additions
- salad – toss it with some greens and your favorite veggies for an easy-on-the-go meal or for meal prep
- 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 about chicken salad is most of the time, whatever you throw in there, will work. 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 (skin on or off) will also work the same. You can also use a rotisserie chicken from the store for convenience.
- celery – if you don’t like celery, you can totally 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 non-dairy 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.
More healthy chicken salad recipes
- buffalo ranch chicken salad
- chicken bacon ranch salad
- cranberry pecan chicken salad
- chicken cabbage salad
- tropical 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
- 4 cups shredded chicken (1 pound)
- 1 1/2 cups grapes, quartered (225 grams)
- 1 cup diced celery (120 grams)
- 1/2 cup almonds (65 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 up 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.
Adah says
Love the addition of dill and lemon! Really adds to the flavor. I might add in red onion next time. Will definitely make again!
Kelly says
That sounds like a great addition! Glad you enjoyed it Adah and thanks for trying it!
Jenny says
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 😆
Kelly says
Yay, that makes me so happy to hear! So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for trying it!
nancy says
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)
Kelly says
I agree, I love the use of yogurt in it! So glad you enjoyed it Nancy, thanks for trying it!
Dan says
The best
Kelly says
Glad you enjoyed it, Dan!
Dad says
Loved this
Kelly says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Dan says
Fantastic
Kelly says
Thanks, Dan!