Description
A creamy, tangy, and protein-packed chicken salad made with Greek yogurt instead of heavy mayo. Ready in just 15 minutes, this weeknight meal is perfect for lunch or dinner and tastes even better as leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie, grilled, or canned, drained well)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/2 cup red seedless grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
- Optional: 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion, 1/2 avocado diced, or 1/4 cup cranberries
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Shred rotisserie or grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces. If using canned chicken, drain thoroughly and press out excess liquid with paper towels.
- Chop the vegetables: Dice the celery into small pieces and halve the grapes. Chop the nuts if using.
- Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Combine: Add the shredded chicken, celery, grapes, and nuts to the bowl. Gently fold everything together with a spatula until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve on bread, in lettuce wraps, or over greens.
Notes
If using canned chicken, ensure it is drained very well to prevent a watery salad. Toasting nuts in a dry pan for 2 minutes enhances their flavor. For a lower-fat version, use non-fat yogurt and skip the mayo. The salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days; press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken salad, greek yogurt, high protein, healthy lunch, quick dinner, weeknight meal, gluten-free, meal prep