Best Simple Chicken Salad Recipes

There’s something about chicken salad that makes it feel right at both a family gathering and a weeknight dinner table. Its versatility—you can change it in a million different ways to fit your mood or what’s in the fridge—made it appealing. Everybody can enjoy chicken salad in their own way, whether they want something light and delicious or rich and filling. The best part? It’s really easy to make. You can make a tasty meal for a wide range of food needs and tastes with just a few basic items.

You can modify a good chicken salad recipe to suit your needs. Do you want something smooth and rich? Put Greek yogurt or mayo on top. Want something lighter? Put avocado or olive oil in its place. Celery or cucumbers are great for adding crunch, or you can add a handful of grapes or dried figs for a sweet touch. 

For people who are watching their carbs, chicken salad makes a great base for a leaf wrap or a protein-rich addition to a green salad. Getting the right items is all you need to make the best chicken salad recipe that has the right balance of textures and tastes.

These easy chicken salad recipes are simple enough that anyone can make them. These recipes will show you how to make something tasty with fresh products and simple steps, no matter how much experience you have as a cook. Let’s jump right in!

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

Best Simple Chicken Salad Recipes

Recipe by IsabellaCourse: SaladsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Calories

350

kcal

Classic Chicken Salad Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (leftover rotisserie works great)

• ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• ½ cup red or green grapes, halved

• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh herbs (optional) like parsley or dill

Directions

• Prepare the Chicken
• Add Vegetables
• Incorporate Sweetness
• Mix the Dressing
• Combine Ingredients
• Season

Notes

• For a healthier twist, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
• Customize by adding nuts like walnuts for extra crunch, or fresh herbs such as dill or parsley for added flavor.
• This salad can be served on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or as a wrap for a versatile meal.

To make a standard chicken salad recipe, keep things as simple as possible. Putting together simple, fresh chicken salad ingredients will make a dish that’s creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. This recipe is great for any event because you can put it on a burger, in a lettuce wrap, or just by itself. Here are the exact steps for making it, along with some extra tips and tricks that will make it even better.

Preparation Steps

1. Start with the chicken: If you are using leftover chicken, make sure it is cool before you start. Use what you have on hand is half the fun of making chicken salad because it can be made in a lot of different ways. Cut the chicken into small pieces that you can easily eat. Depending on the thickness you want, you can use either way. Shredded chicken makes the mixture soft and stick together, while diced chicken gives it more bite.
2. Add the crunch: Cut the celery and red onion into small pieces to add crunch. We all know that chicken salad tastes great when it’s crunchy, and the onion gives it a little zip. Don’t like onions? You can leave them out or swap them out for a lighter vegetable like green onion or diced cucumber.
3. Incorporate some sweetness: Grapes are a classic addition to a chicken salad because they add a burst of sweetness that goes well with the spicy chicken and creamy mayo. If you don’t like grapes, you could try dried raisins or chopped apples instead. Both make things sweeter and give them some structure.
4. Mix the dressing: To make the sauce, Put the mayo (or Greek yogurt if you want to keep it lighter), Dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a small bowl. The lemon juice and mustard give the salad some brightness and a sour taste that keeps it from being too heavy. Mix everything together until it’s smooth and creamy. You can change how much mustard and mayo you use based on your taste for sour or creamy salad.
5. Combine it all: Mix the sauce into the chicken. Fold it all together slowly until it’s well covered. You don’t want to mix the chicken and vegetables too much because you want to keep their structure.
6. Season to taste: It’s time to season. Taste as you go as you add salt and pepper. Don’t forget how important spice is—it’s what makes this simple dish taste great.
7. Let it chill: At least 30 minutes before serving, put your chicken salad in the fridge for the best taste. You can taste the classic chicken salad taste that everyone loves when the flavors mix together.

Variations for Extra Flavor

• Swap out proteins: Not in the mood for chicken today? Feel free to use turkey, tuna, or even tofu instead of the chicken if you want to make a plant-based version. Each one adds a different taste and texture to the salad, which keeps it interesting.
• Experiment with dressings: The traditional way is to use mayo or yogurt, but it’s easy to change things up. For a lighter and more fresh take, make a dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. As an extra twist, you could also mix in some sour cream.
• Add-ins for extra flair: One great thing about chicken salad is that it goes well with many different things. Soaked nuts like walnuts or almonds can be added to give it more crunch. Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of chili pepper if you like your food a little spicy. You can also make your salad taste even better by adding fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro.

How to Get the Best Taste and Texture

• Use cold chicken: This keeps the salad from getting too soft and makes sure the veggies keep their shape.
  Play with textures: There should be a good mix of soft and crunchy things in chicken salad. Don’t be afraid to add things that can do both.
  Make it ahead of time: To make it taste better the next day, make it ahead of time. The flavors will have had more time to mix.

Finding the right mix of salty, creamy, and crunchy in this classic chicken salad recipe is key. This recipe is quick, easy, and can be used in a lot of different ways. It’s great for daily lunches or a picnic with friends. Whether you’ve cooked before or not, this recipe is a great starting point for your own unique changes!

Ready to elevate your pasta game? Try a new penne pasta recipes today and savor the taste of Italy in every bite!

Healthy Variations of Chicken Salad

There are many ways to make chicken salad healthy, but this is one of the best. Enjoy a healthy chicken salad recipe in a lot of different ways that won’t make it taste or feel less good. You can easily make chicken salad part of a healthy diet, whether you want to cut back on fat by using mayo instead or you’re trying to eat more vegetables and fruits. Here are some simple ways to make your chicken salad healthier without changing how tasty it is.

Greek Yogurt: The Perfect Mayo Substitute

A chicken salad recipe without mayo that is easy to make is one that uses Greek yogurt. It’s a great option because it has the same smooth taste but less fat and more protein. It also has a slight sourness that makes the whole thing taste better.

Here’s a basic formula for a chicken salad with Greek yogurt:

Print

Healthy Chicken Salad Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (preferably full-fat or 2% for a creamier texture)

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• 1 apple, diced (adds sweetness and crunch)

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional for an extra zing)

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to add brightness)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: Put the chicken, celery, and apple in a big bowl and mix them together. Mix the Greek yogurt, mustard, and lemon juice together in a different small bowl. Add the sauce to the chicken mixture and mix it together gently. Add salt and pepper, then put it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving.

Why Greek yogurt works: The good thing about Greek yogurt is that it is lower in fat than mayo and is full of probiotics, which are good for your gut health. This version is great for people who want to make a chicken salad recipe with Greek yogurt that is both tasty and good for them because it adds protein.

Adding Fresh Vegetables for Extra Nutrients

One easy way to make your chicken salad healthier and more fiber-rich is to add more veggies. This will also keep the salad light and refreshing. Here are some vegetables that go great with chicken salad:

• Cucumbers: It makes it cool and crunchy. Cut it up and add it to add more water and freshness.
• Bell Peppers: Bell peppers give food a nice crunch and a pop of color. They are sweet and bright.
• Carrots: carrots that have been shredded have a nice crunch and a natural sweetness.
• Arugula or spinach: Adding fresh greens to your salad or putting chicken salad on top of a bed of greens is a simple way to get more vitamins and minerals.

Fruit Additions for a Sweet and Savory Twist

Don’t be afraid to add fruit to your chicken salad. It will make it taste sweeter and balance out the spicy flavors. These are some of my favorite foods to use:

• Apples: Apples are a standard addition to chicken salad. They are crunchy and slightly sweet, and they go well with both yogurt and mayo-based sauces.
• Grapes: Red or green, grapes add a burst of sweetness and a juicy texture that goes well with veggies that are crunchy.
• Pineapple: Diced pineapple will give your dish a tropical flavor. It goes well with the chicken and makes the salad taste great.
• Pomegranate seeds: These brightly colored gems give food a sour taste.

Is Chicken Salad Good for Weight Loss?

Yes, chicken salad can help you lose weight as long as you pay attention to a few things. This chicken salad with mayonnaise might be high in fat and calories, but it can still be healthy if you make a few simple changes. 

Here are some ways to improve your chicken salad and help you lose weight:

• Focus on lean protein: Chicken breast is the best choice here. Because it’s high in protein and low in fat, it makes you feel full.
• Swap out mayo: As we already said, Greek yogurt is a great alternative. For a healthy fat choice, you can also try mashed avocado. Avocado makes things creamy without having the heavy fats that mayo does.
• Bulk it up with veggies: The general calorie count of the salad goes down as you add more veggies. Vegetables don’t add a lot of calories, but they do add bulk and nutrition.
• Watch the portion size of add-ins: Nuts, dried fruit, and cheeses are high in calories, but small amounts of them can be good for you. If you’re trying to watch how much you eat, use these in balance.
• Serve creatively: You don’t have to put your chicken salad on bread or a bun. You could serve it in a lettuce wrap, a bell pepper that has been cut out, or even just on a bed of fresh greens. This keeps it light and low in carbs.

A Fresh and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe

Here’s a version that checks all the healthy boxes while staying super tasty:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 avocado, mashed
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 small apple, diced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: Put the apple, onion, bell pepper, and chicken in a big bowl and mix them together. Put the Greek yogurt, mashed avocado, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Mix them together to make a smooth sauce. Add the sauce to the chicken and toss it around gently. Add salt and pepper, and then put it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

This lighter chicken salad is great for lunch or dinner because it is creamy from the avocado and yogurt, crunchy from the vegetables, and sweet from the apple.

With these better changes, chicken salad can be a tasty and filling part of a healthy diet. These recipes show that you can enjoy a tasty healthy chicken salad recipe without giving up taste, whether you leave out the mayo or add more vegetables or fresh fruits.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipes

There’s nothing better than chicken salad when you need to make a quick meal. Not only does it take little time to make, but it can also be used in many different ways and is great for getting rid of extra chicken. 

If you want a light lunch, a high-protein snack, or something to pack for meal prep, chicken salad is the way to go. Here are some easy chicken salad recipes that you can make in less than 30 minutes. I’ll also give you some tips on how to make meal prep even easier.

Using Leftover Chicken for Chicken Salad

You don’t have to use raw chicken to make chicken salad, which is great. One of the fastest ways to make dinner (or lunch) is to use up chicken that you’ve already cooked. There are several ways to make a great easy chicken salad recipe. 

One way is to use up leftover roasted chicken, grilled chicken from last night, or even cooked chicken breast. After cooking, cut up or chop the extra chicken and add it to your salad.

Recipe 1: Classic Quick Chicken Salad

This simple chicken salad recipe is easy to make and tastes great when you need something quick.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
• ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• ½ cup grapes, halved
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Put the chopped celery, grapes, and cooked chicken in a big bowl.
2. You can use yogurt or mayonnaise and put them in a small bowl. Whisk them together quickly.
3. Add the sauce to the chicken mixture and mix it all around.
4. Add pepper and salt to taste.

Meal Prep Tip: Make twice as much and put it in a jar that won’t let air in. It tastes great on its own or on top of veggies for a salad or in a burger. It’s great for meal prep because it will last up to three or four days.

Recipe 2: Avocado Chicken Salad

This avocado chicken salad is great if you want to add a healthy twist to your meal without giving up the creaminess. A quick and easy recipe that is full of good fats.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 ripe avocado, mashed
• ½ red onion, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Put the avocado and lime juice in a bowl and mash them together until they are smooth.
2. Mix in the cooked chicken and red onion until the avocado covers everything well.
3. Add salt and pepper, and if you want, cilantro on top.

Meal Prep Tip: Avocado turns brown quickly, so if you’re making this salad ahead of time, add a little extra lime juice to keep it fresh. Keep it in a jar that won’t let air in, and eat it within two days.

Recipe 3: Mediterranean Chicken Salad

The Mediterranean flavor of this simple chicken salad makes it fresh and spicy. You can stuff it into pita bread or serve it on top of mixed greens.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• ½ cucumber, diced
• ¼ cup kalamata olives, chopped
• ¼ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Put the chicken, onion, olives, tomatoes, and feta in a big bowl.
2. Mix the olive oil and red wine vinegar in a small bowl with a whisk.
3. Add the sauce to the chicken mixture and mix it together gently.
4. Add pepper and salt to taste.

Meal Prep Tip: Keep the salad and sauce separate and only mix them together right before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh. It’s easy to make ahead of time because this salad stays crisp in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Best Ways to Store Chicken Salad for Meal Prep

If you’re making chicken salad as part of your meal prep, it’s important to store it the right way. To keep your chicken salad fresh and ready to eat all week, heed these suggestions:

1. Use airtight containers: This is the best way to keep it fresh. This helps the salad stay fresh longer by keeping it from drying out. Snap-on lids on glass cases work great because they seal well and don’t soak up smells like plastic does.
2. Store the dressing separately: If your chicken salad has lettuce, onions, tomatoes, or other items that could get mushy, keep them separate from the chicken and dressing. When you’re ready to eat, just mix them together. This helps your salad stay crisp and fresh for longer.
3. Keep it cool: If you bring chicken salad to school or work, make sure it stays cool. To keep the salad safe, put it in a sealed lunch bag with an ice pack. This is very important if your recipe calls for yogurt or mayonnaise, as they will go bad if left out for too long.
4. Plan for 3-4 days of storage: In the fridge, chicken salad usually stays good for three to four days. Watch how long you store it for because after that time, it might lose its taste and freshness. If you’re making meals ahead of time for the week, make your salad in smaller amounts for better taste.

Final Meal Prep Tip: Build Your Own Chicken Salad Bar

Making a chicken salad bar is a fun and easy way to get ready for meals. Just add chicken, a little lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make a plain chicken salad. Put it in the fridge. Then, each day this week, make it different by adding different sauces and spices. 

Adding grapes and walnuts one day will make it sweet, and adding avocado and parsley the next day will make it smooth and fresh. You’ll never get tired of chicken salad this way!

Unique Ingredients & Add-ons

Some fun and tasty items can be added to chicken salad to make it look more interesting. Adding the right mix of tastes and textures can make your chicken salad stand out from the rest. These add-ins will make your next chicken salad taste better, whether you want something sweet, crunchy, or green.

Nuts: Crunch and Richness

One of the best ways to give your chicken salad crunch and richness at the same time is to add nuts. Here are some crazy things you can try:

• Walnuts: The rich taste of walnuts goes well with both sweet and salty salads. This is especially true in a chicken salad recipe with cranberries.
• Almonds: Almonds that have been sliced or slivered add a light crunch that doesn’t take away from the other flavors.
• Pecans: Pecans add a rich, crunchy taste to the salad and are a little sweeter than walnuts

Pro tip: As an added bonus, toasting the nuts before adding them makes their taste stronger and adds even more depth to your salad.

Fruits: Sweet and Juicy Additions

When you add fruit to chicken salad, it tastes great with the spicy chicken, especially if you use a creamy sauce. Here are some tasty choices:

• Grapes: A straightforward chicken salad recipe with grapes mix. When you mix the rich chicken and creamy sauce with the juicy, sweet grapes, it all tastes great.
• Apples: Bitter, crisp apples like Granny Smiths give food a bright, tangy taste. Cut them up small for a hint of sweetness.
• Cranberries: Dried cranberries add a chewy, sour flavor that goes well with fall-themed chicken soups. When mixed with walnuts or pecans, they make a tasty, sweet, and nutty snack.
• Cranberries: Dried cranberries add a chewy, sour flavor that goes well with fall-themed chicken soups. When mixed with walnuts or pecans, they make a tasty, sweet, and nutty snack.

Fresh Herbs: A Burst of Flavor

A Burst of Flavor Adding fresh herbs to your chicken salad can give it a burst of flavor.

• Dill: Dill is a popular vegetable for chicken salad because it has a bright, slightly sour taste that goes well with creamy sauces.
• Parsley: Flat-leaf parsley adds a lovely green note without being too strong for a lighter, more balanced herb taste.
• Tarragon: Tarragon has a taste a little like licorice and can make a chicken salad feel more French and sophisticated

Extra Flavor Boosters

If you chop up pickles or relish, you can add a salty and sour kick.

• Pickles: If you chop up pickles or relish, you can add a salty and sour kick..
• Capers: Capers are salty little gems that add a surprise burst of flavor to rich soups.
• Mustard: A teaspoon of Dijon mustard gives the dressing a sour kick that makes it more interesting.

You’ll never have to eat boring chicken salad again with these additions!

Low-Calorie Chicken Salad Recipes

If you’re trying to watch how many calories you eat, chicken salad can still be a tasty and filling meal. You can enjoy a low-calorie chicken salad recipe that’s still tasty and filling by making some smart substitutions and watching how much you eat. You can cut down on fat without giving up taste with these easy and tasty low-calorie choices.

Recipe 1: Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise is one of the best ways to make chicken salad that is low in calories. This change makes it less fat and more protein, which will help you feel full longer.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (for extra flavor without extra calories)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Put the chicken, chopped celery, and Greek yogurt in a big bowl.
2. Mix in the lemon juice and mustard until the chicken is well covered.
3. Add pepper and salt to taste.

This chicken salad is light and sour, and it has a lot fewer calories than chicken salads made with mayonnaise. Depending on the size of the amount, it has between 150 and 200 calories.

Recipe 2: Avocado Chicken Salad

Avocado is a great option to mayo because it has good fats and a creamy taste. Avocado and fresh greens add taste to this low-calorie version without adding extra calories.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 1 ripe avocado, mashed
• ½ cucumber, diced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Fresh cilantro (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add lime juice to the avocado and mash it until it’s smooth.
2. Add the chopped onion and chicken that has been shred.
3. To make it taste even better, add parsley, salt, and pepper.

A sauce made with avocado has fewer calories than one made with mayonnaise because it has healthy fats. Depending on the size of the serving, one serving has between 200 and 250 calories.

Portion Control & Meal Prep Tips

• Watch your portions:Do not eat more than ½ cup of chicken salad at a time. For less fat, eat it with cucumber slices or fresh greens instead of bread. 
• Use lean chicken: The best choice for a low-calorie dish is chicken breast, which has less fat and calories than chicken thighs.
• Incorporate veggies: Add veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, and spinach that are low in calories and high in fiber to your salad to make it fuller without adding extra calories

Final Thoughts: Your Perfect Chicken Salad Awaits

One ideal recipe that is both simple and flexible is chicken salad. From the classic chicken salad recipe to healthier variations and low-calorie choices, we have looked at many methods to make it your own across this article. There are many ways to personalize this dish, whether you’re using leftover chicken, substituting Greek yogurt for mayo, or adding fresh fruits and nuts. The secret is to mix tastes and textures to suit your palate.

We have included inventive add-ins such as grapes, cranberries, and herbs that enhance a basic chicken salad as well as fast and easy chicken salad recipes excellent for meal prep. The finest feature is that chicken salad fits any lifestyle as it is flexible enough for many diets. It’s now your chance to play around with these recipes, adding your own components and creating fresh taste combinations. Savour the process and the adaptability this wonderful food offers!

FAQ: Chicken Salad Essentials

Lots of people have questions about making chicken salad. This section answers some common questions to help you create tasty chicken salads.