Little comes closer to being perfect than a good healthy chicken salad. This is a versatile meal and can be had at any time of the day, filled with lean protein, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs. Perfect for a light lunch, filling dinner, or adding some wholesome variety by adding a chicken salad to your meal prep bin — this guide steps you through the process of making a healthy chicken salad that’s good for both you and your taste buds.
How to make healthy chicken salad
Chicken salad is one of those meals that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from serving it between two slices of bread to wrapped with lettuce. It is easy to make, on top of the fact that you can be creative with ingredients endless. Whether you like to keep things classic or are seeking fresh inspiration for flavor combos — we have got some awesome healthy chicken salad recipes and ideas perfect that make the best satisfying meal on hand.
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 1 heaping cup chopped chicken breast (preferably roasted)
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- 2 tbsp finely chopped red onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 TBs avocado-based mayo (or Greek yogurt for a healthier option)
Instructions:
1. Mix the minced chicken breasts in a large bowl with celery, red onion, salt, pepper & avocado mayo.
2. Stir to combine all components.
3. These can also be served on sandwiches, with crackers for scooping, salads, and even as a lettuce cup version to keep things low carb.
Mayo made with avocado is a healthy alternative to regular mayo, providing better fats and fewer processed ingredients.
Mayo-Free Italian Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 heaping cup of chopped chicken breasts
- 1 roasted pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion and cucumber
- Toasted almond slices
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tablespoon good quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a bowl mix chicken, dried tomatoes, capers roasted pepper, and onion chopped finely cubed cucumber with almond slices broken into small pieces pounded garlic 1 tbsp olive oil vinegar juice salt &pepper.
2. Gently fold a few times until well combined.
3. Serve the way you like: Over a bed of greens, or maybe in lettuce cups.
An assortment of flavors and textures in this salad will bring a taste straight to the Mediterranean letting go of all that mayo.
Buffalo-Style Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 heaping cup of chopped cooked chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1/4 cup finely diced carrots
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- 1.5 T blue cheese dressing
- 1 tablespoon Buffalo hot sauce
- Salt, pepper and cayenne to taste
Instructions:
1. In a bowl add the chicken, carrots, and celery with blue cheese dressing, hot sauce, salt & pepper to taste along with cayenne pepper.
2. Stir gently to combine well.
3. Served in a sandwich, wrap, or just by itself is delicious!
Feel Free to Adapt the Heat Level Of Your Hot Sauce.
Tips for Healthy Chicken Salad
- LEAN CHICKEN: Either use chicken breasts w/o skin and bones or get already cooked, roasted shredded.
- Healthy swaps for your Dressings: Minimize the processed ingredients in a store-bought traditional mayo, by replacing it with homemade or avocado-based mayonnaise (or this KETO-certified stabilizing Mayo), Greek yogurt-based alternatives.
- Add Some Crunch and Flavor: If texture is what you require to make your salad pop, opt for fresh vegetables that are crunchy in nature or nuts/seeds.
- Meal Prep Ready: You can easily prepare these salads in advance and keep them well for up to five days. Great meal prep idea.
