Forget everything you think you know about chicken salad. This isn’t your grandma’s mayo-laden, sometimes-dry version. This Delicious Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad is a revelation – creamy, tangy, packed with flavor, and surprisingly healthy! We’ve swapped out the heavy mayonnaise for protein-packed Greek yogurt, creating a lighter, brighter, and utterly addictive salad that’s perfect for lunch, a quick dinner, or even a party appetizer. It’s a game-changer, and once you try it, you’ll never go back.
Why You’ll Love This
- Healthy & Light: Using Greek yogurt significantly reduces the fat content and adds a boost of protein, making this a guilt-free indulgence.
- Bursting with Flavor: Fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a touch of lemon juice create a vibrant and complex flavor profile.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: Enjoy it on croissants, lettuce wraps, crackers, or simply on its own!
- Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to your preferences – add different veggies, nuts, or spices.
Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2% for best flavor and texture)
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Fork or spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: If you’re not using rotisserie chicken, cook and shred or dice your chicken. Let it cool completely before proceeding.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
- Add Vegetables & Herbs: Add the diced celery, red onion, dill, and parsley to the yogurt mixture.
- Season & Mix: Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Incorporate Chicken: Gently fold in the shredded or diced chicken until it’s evenly coated with the yogurt mixture.
- Add Nuts (Optional): If using, stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Chill & Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step is crucial! Serve chilled.
Pro Tips
- Don’t Skip the Chilling: Allowing the chicken salad to chill for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight) significantly improves the flavor.
- Use Full-Fat Greek Yogurt: While you can use lower-fat options, full-fat Greek yogurt provides the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Finely Dice the Vegetables: Small, evenly diced vegetables ensure a better texture and distribution of flavor.
- Fresh Herbs are Key: Fresh dill and parsley make a huge difference. Dried herbs can be used in a pinch, but use about 1 teaspoon of each.
- Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: Using a rotisserie chicken saves a ton of time and effort.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a little heat.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The texture may change slightly as the yogurt continues to release moisture, but it will still be delicious. To prevent it from becoming too watery, you can drain off any excess liquid before serving. It’s not recommended to freeze this salad, as the yogurt’s texture will become grainy upon thawing.
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Delicious Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
This easy Greek yogurt chicken salad swaps out mayo for protein-rich Greek yogurt, making it lighter in calories but still full of flavor. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or served over greens.
Ingredients
2 cups shredded chicken
1/2 cup grapes, halved
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons chopped salted almonds
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
1. Add chicken, grapes, celery, onion, Greek yogurt, almonds, mustard, parsley, pepper, and salt into a large bowl.
2. Toss to combine and taste. Add more yogurt, salt, or pepper if needed.
3. Serve immediately or chill before serving. Enjoy with crackers, on bread or wraps, or over greens.
4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–5 days.
Notes
If you like a slightly sweeter chicken salad, add 1 teaspoon of honey for extra flavor.
This salad is versatile—use it for sandwiches, wraps, or as a protein-packed snack with crackers.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Salad, Lunch
- Method: No-Cook, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 471 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 254 mg