This Healthy Chicken Salad is creamy, fresh and packed with protein! Made with tender chicken, Greek yogurt in place of mayo, crunchy celery, grapes, and sliced almonds. A delicious easy lunch or meal prep option you’ll make on repeat!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This
- Chicken Salad Ingredients
- Why Greek Yogurt?
- How to Make Healthy Chicken Salad
- How to Serve Chicken Salad
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Store Chicken Salad
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is this Recipe Healthier?
- More Chicken Salad Recipes
- More Delicious Salads
- Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
This Healthy Chicken Salad recipe is everything you love about classic chicken salad, but made lighter with creamy Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise! It’s packed with lean protein, naturally gluten-free, meal prep-friendly, and loaded with crunchy celery, juicy grapes, sliced almonds, and fresh herbs for the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and savory flavors.
Whether you’re looking for a high-protein lunch, an easy meal prep recipe for busy weekdays, or a healthier chicken salad for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, crackers, or salads, this recipe has you covered. Pair it with one of my healthy pasta salad recipes or fresh fruit for an easy lunch. It comes together in just 15 minutes, is easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins, and has been a reader favorite for years because it’s creamy, fresh, and full of wholesome ingredients without sacrificing flavor.
Why You’ll Love This
- High in protein – lean chicken breast and creamy Greek yogurt make this a satisfying lunch that’s packed with protein.
- Healthier than the classic – Greek yogurt replaces most (or all) of the mayonnaise for a lighter chicken salad without sacrificing creaminess.
- Perfect for meal prep – it comes together in just 15 minutes and tastes even better after chilling overnight.
- Easy to customize – mix in your favorite fruits, nuts, herbs, or crunchy veggies to make it your own.
- Versatile – serve it on sandwiches, croissants, lettuce wraps, crackers, or over a bed of greens.
- Fresh and flavorful – every bite is creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Chicken Salad Ingredients
- chicken – any type of cooked chicken breasts will work in this recipe. I especially love to use rotisserie chicken (shredded or diced) because of how flavorful it is and simple to throw together. You can also use my air fryer chicken recipe to quickly cook some boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- celery – this gives the chicken salad a nice crunch.
- red grapes – fresh grapes add little bursts of sweetness with every bite! You could also substitute the grapes with dried cranberries, dried cherries, raisins or diced apples.
- green onions – adds flavor and a pop of color without being too overpowering. You could also use red onion or white onion in this if you like a stronger onion taste.
- greek yogurt – adds creaminess while boosting the protein. I also love using it in recipes like my healthy egg salad and healthy broccoli salad.
- dijon mustard – adds some zip to this chicken salad.
- lemon juice – this brightens the salad right up and adds a nice fresh flavor to it. You could also add in a little lemon zest.
- celery seed – a MUST in this recipe and really punches up the flavor of this salad.
- sliced almonds – just like with the celery, these almonds add texture and a nice crunch. Other nuts you could add include pecans, walnuts or cashews.
- fresh parsley – I love adding fresh herbs to salads like this and you can never go wrong with parsley. You could also add fresh dill, tarragon, basil or cilantro to this for a different type of flavor.
- salt + black pepper – needed to season the chicken salad and give it flavor.
Why Greek Yogurt?
Using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise makes this chicken salad lighter, higher in protein, and lower in fat without sacrificing that creamy texture you love!
How to Make Healthy Chicken Salad
- Prep the chicken. Shred or chop your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can either shred the chicken using two forks, use the paddle attachment of your stand mixer to shred the chicken, or use this simple chicken shredder tool.
- Make the dressing. In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, celery seed, salt and pepper.
- Mix together the salad. Add the chicken in with the creamy , along with the celery, grapes, almonds, green onions and parsley. Mix well until everything is well coated.
- Chill before serving. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy. Serve this flavorful chicken salad on slices of bread or on top of a salad. See all my serving suggestions below!
Toast the sliced almonds for 2–3 minutes before adding them. It brings out their flavor and adds an amazing crunch!
How to Serve Chicken Salad
- On a sandwich – layer this on slices of whole grain or sourdough bread with some lettuce and tomato for a classic chicken salad sandwich.
- In a wrap or pita – roll it into a whole wheat tortilla or stuff it into pita bread for an easy, portable lunch.
- In lettuce wraps – spoon it into crisp romaine or butter lettuce leaves for a fresh, low-carb option.
- Over a green salad – serve it on top of mixed greens or spinach with cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, and your favorite healthy salad dressing.
- With healthy pasta salad – my Greek orzo salad and Italian pasta salad are two reader favorites that pair perfectly with this chicken salad.
- With fresh fruit – grapes, strawberries, watermelon, berries, peaches, or apple slices make a light and refreshing side.
- With crackers and veggies – enjoy it as a dip with whole grain crackers, pita chips, cucumber slices, carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
- With soup – serve alongside a bowl of my chicken noodle soup or creamy tomato soup for a cozy meal.
- By itself – it’s packed with protein and delicious straight from the refrigerator for an easy meal-prep lunch.
Chicken salad is also perfect for meal prep because the flavors continue to develop as it chills, making it an easy make-ahead lunch for busy weekdays, picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein – we are using shredded chicken in this salad (rotisserie chicken works great), but feel free to swap out the chicken for canned tuna fish for a healthy tuna salad.
- Veggies – feel free to add in some extra veggies such as sliced cucumber, shredded carrots or even more fresh herbs.
- Pasta – make this a fun pasta salad to serve a crowd by mixing in some elbow macaroni and a little extra of the sauce!
- Mayo – we are using Greek yogurt in this recipe to add creaminess and cut out half the calories and fat, but feel free to substitute the yogurt for mayonnaise, sour cream or even some mashed avocado.
- Cheese – there is no cheese in this particular recipe, but feel free to sprinkle in some crumbled feta or goat cheese for a different flavor.
How to Store Chicken Salad
Leftover chicken salad can be stored in a sealed, airtight container in your fridge for up to 3-5 days. This recipe is one of my favorite healthy meal prep recipes because the flavors get even better after chilling overnight. This tastes best cold so make sure to chill the chicken salad for about 2 hours before serving right after making it.
Frequently Asked Questions
This healthy chicken salad is made with creamy Greek yogurt instead of (or in place of) traditional mayonnaise, making it higher in protein and lower in saturated fat while still being rich, creamy, and full of flavor. It’s an easy way to enjoy a classic chicken salad with a healthier twist.
Yes! This recipe is perfect for meal prep. In fact, the flavors become even better after chilling in the refrigerator for a few hours. Make it a day ahead for easy lunches throughout the week.
Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, as some moisture may naturally separate during storage.
Cooked chicken breast works best, but rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken, baked chicken, or poached chicken are all great options. Any cooked, shredded, or diced chicken will work well.
Yes! Canned chicken is a convenient shortcut when you’re short on time. Just drain it well before mixing it with the remaining ingredients for the best texture.
Yes! You can use mayonnaise for a more traditional chicken salad or use half Greek yogurt and half mayonnaise for a balance of creaminess and tang. Dairy-free plain yogurt also works if needed.
I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad. The Greek yogurt can separate after thawing, resulting in a watery texture that isn’t nearly as creamy.
This chicken salad is delicious on whole wheat bread, croissants, wraps, lettuce cups, crackers, over a bed of greens, or stuffed into pita pockets or avocados for an easy lunch. If you’re planning lunch for the week, pair it with one of my healthy soup recipes, healthy pasta salads, or fresh fruit.
Why is this Recipe Healthier?
This healthy chicken salad gets its creamy texture from protein-rich Greek yogurt instead of traditional mayonnaise, making it higher in protein and lighter while still tasting just as delicious. Paired with lean chicken breast, fresh fruit, and crunchy vegetables, it’s a wholesome, satisfying meal you’ll feel good about serving.
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More Chicken Salad Recipes
- Chicken Cobb Salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad
- Southwest Chicken Salad
- Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad
- Harvest Chopped Chicken Salad
More Delicious Salads
- Healthy Taco Salad
- Blackened Shrimp and Corn Salad
- Healthy Greek Salad
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad
- Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
- Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad
Hope you all enjoy this amazing Chicken Salad recipe! If you love this as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your delicious recreations!
Healthy Chicken Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced almonds
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, green onions and parsley.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, dijon mustard, lemon juice, celery seed and salt/pepper. Drizzle the dressing all over the chicken mixture and mix well until all combined.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy. Serve with crackers, on slices of bread or in a wrap, or serve on lettuce as a salad.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This healthy chicken salad recipe is creamy, protein-packed, and perfect for meal prep. Made with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, it’s an easy lunch that’s ready in just 15 minutes!
This was excellent – thank you!
DIVINE! I had to sub a couple of things that I thought I had, and then halfway through realized I did not. So mine has golden raisins and tarragon and pecans. I didn’t have grapes, celery seed, or sliced almonds. This recipe is so versatile! I’ve been using the same recipe for 20 years but it’s loaded with mayo and I’m working on making healthier choices. Thought I’d miss the mayo but I do not! This is better! Thank you!
This was excellent. I used canned chicken breast and left out the grapes because my husband thinks grapes make it girly….sigh. I think grapes would make it go from really good to outstanding. It was a little bit too salty but that could be due to the canned chicken and no grapes to even it out. I will definitely be making it again.
Keep some grapes on hand and add them to your serving. Best of both worlds.
Does this keep well in the freezer? I want to freeze single servings for meal prep.
Yes! You can freeze this up to 3 months, however I recommend enjoying it within a month for the best taste and freshness.
I would not suggest freezing this recipe – it will be watery and yucky when defrosted.
I have been making this salad all summer. It’s flavorful and refreshing. So delicious!
Incredibly delicious!! I left out the almonds, being I’m allergic and I made homemade naan gluten free bread to go with it. Lets just say I’m so excited for my lunches this week!
I will admit I was skeptical at first because of the grapes and almonds, but this was absolutely divine! I did swap out the Greek yogurt for lite mayo, I’m lactose intolerant. I served it on rye sourdough amazing! Try it I guarantee you will love it!
Thank you for the wonderful recipe! Very tasty!!
This was probably the best chicken salad I’ve ever had! My fiance’ and I are trying to watch what we eat before our wedding and it is absolutely delicious!! I used rotisserie chicken which I think really made it! We’ve used it in a healthy wrap with lettuce like the other user did and we also served it over a romaine, tomato, cucumber, and onion salad with a light dressing and both were fantastic! We will definitely be using this in our monthly routine if not more and will be making it as a dip for a party as well! I’ve used many of your recipes and have loved them all! Thanks for making healthy food fun to make and eat! 🙂
Really liked this recipe! Haven’t had chicken salad for years but I’ll definitely make this recipe again. Had in a wrap and added lettuce . Looking forward to trying it with other things also. Thanks for the great recipe!