Seriously the Best Highprotein Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Finally Ditching the Heavy Mayo!

Oh my gosh, are you tired of those sad, heavy chicken salads? You know the ones. They taste like pure mayo and regret.

I certainly was! That is why I obsessed over this version. I wanted creamy, delicious, and guilt free. I finally nailed this greek yogurt chicken salad recipe .

Honestly, it's a total game changer for lunch.

This isn't just a recipe swap. It's The Best Chicken Salad Recipe Ever . It takes the classic flavour and lightens the load.

We use Greek yogurt instead of tons of mayo. This gives you a luscious, creamy texture. But we skip all those heavy saturated fats.

This is the secret of how to make the best chicken salad .

The Simple Secret to a High Protein Lunch

Years ago, I needed to seriously boost my protein intake. But I refused to give up my favourite comfort food.

Chicken salad felt like a treat. I thought my only choice was a dry, bland version. Never! That challenge forced me to try chicken salad with yogurt instead of mayo .

The result? Pure magic. This Healthy Chicken Salad Dressing is thick and tangy. It uses Dijon mustard and lemon juice.

This recipe is a true high protein chicken salad recipe . One serving delivers around 40g of protein. It keeps you full for hours.

It’s also naturally a low-fat chicken salad no mayo . Winning!

Quick Prep for Ultimate Flavour

Seriously, this recipe is incredibly easy. We use pre-cooked chicken. A store-bought rotisserie bird works brilliantly. So, yes, it's a stellar rotisserie chicken salad recipe .

Active prep time is only 15 minutes! You chop up the crunch and mix the dressing. That's it. It’s the ultimate easy chicken salad for lunch .

The best bit is the flavour profile. We balance everything perfectly. You get that lovely, satisfying crunch. Toasted pecans, sharp celery, and sweet grapes.

I adore this creamy chicken salad with grapes and pecans combo. It hits every flavour note. Make sure you chill it for 30 minutes, though.

That rest time is non-negotiable. It lets all those yummy flavours deepen. Ready to grab the ingredients? Let's make this happen!

Let's Grab the Goodies: The Secret to the Best Chicken Salad Base

Seriously, ditch those heavy, gloopy mayonnaise recipes right now. We are building the champion of all meal prep. This is The Best Chicken Salad Recipe Ever , hands down.

It’s all about swapping out the fat without sacrificing that creamy vibe.

This whole process is super simple. It makes this a perfect easy chicken salad for lunch .

The High Protein Foundation

We need stellar chicken. I’m talking about lean protein that will keep you full all afternoon. For the base, grab 3 cups (450g) cooked, shredded or diced chicken breast .

Honestly, the best shortcut I ever learned for this high protein chicken salad recipe ? Use a rotisserie chicken salad recipe base.

Shredding that bird takes five minutes, tops. Make sure your chicken is completely cooled, though. Warm chicken and cold dressing? Disaster.

Season it lightly with ½ teaspoon fine sea salt and a dash of pepper.

The Game Changing Healthy Chicken Salad Dressing

This is the magic part. This is why this is the only low-fat chicken salad no mayo recipe you need. We are making a ridiculously thick, Healthy Chicken Salad Dressing .

You need 1 cup (240g) plain 0% or 2% Greek yogurt . That’s the core of the greek yogurt chicken salad recipe .

My first attempt at chicken salad with yogurt instead of mayo tasted totally flat. I learned fast: you need acid to make the yogurt sing! So, grab 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon (5ml) apple cider vinegar .

The ACV cuts through the richness beautifully. I also add just 1 tablespoon (15g) of quality Dijon mustard . It gives it a necessary bite.

Adding Crunch: The Key to Texture

No great salad is complete without texture. We are aiming for that glorious creamy chicken salad with grapes and pecans .

Chop 1 cup (150g) red seedless grapes into quarters. Don’t skip the grapes; they add crucial sweetness. For the crunch, we are using ½ cup (50g) toasted pecans .

Toasting them is non-negotiable! Just a quick three minutes in a dry pan until they smell amazing. That tiny step is How To Make The Best Chicken Salad .

Toss in ¼ cup (35g) dried cranberries too for extra chewiness.

What Tools You Need

The equipment list is blessedly short. You aren't baking a soufflé, you know?

You absolutely need a sharp knife and a cutting board for the grapes and celery. Use a large mixing bowl you want room to fold everything gently.

And that’s it! If you don't own a whisk, a simple fork works fine to stir the dressing. Keep it fuss free.

We’re aiming for maximum flavour with minimal washing up.

The Assembly Line: How to Make the BEST Chicken Salad

Honestly, the hardest part of this greek yogurt chicken salad recipe is waiting for it to chill! This process is so quick.

You are skipping the stove, skipping the oven, and heading straight to mixing magic. We are aiming for the ultimate easy chicken salad for lunch that tastes like a gourmet deli offering, but without the guilt.

Quick Prep: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

You want to make The Best Chicken Salad Recipe Ever , right? That means organizing. Using pre-cooked chicken, like the meat from a rotisserie chicken salad recipe , cuts your time in half.

Just shred it and get it cold. Warm chicken is the enemy of a creamy, low-fat chicken salad no mayo .

For your mise en place , get chopping! Finely mince the celery and the red onion. Seriously, make that red onion tiny; otherwise, it’ll be overpowering.

Quarter those beautiful red grapes they give us that essential sweetness for our creamy chicken salad with grapes and pecans . Keep everything separated for now.

Trust me, organization is the backbone of quick cooking.

The Magic of the Healthy Chicken Salad Dressing

This is the non-negotiable step that gives us a true high protein chicken salad recipe . Forget glugging jars of mayo. We’re building a lighter, brighter flavor profile.

1. Grab a small bowl and add your Greek yogurt. Use 0% or 2% for the lightest touch.
2. Whisk in the Dijon mustard, the lemon juice, the apple cider vinegar, and that optional tablespoon of mayo. This tiny bit of mayo is the cheat code; it adds necessary richness without loading up the fat.
3. Whisk until it's super smooth and uniform. This is your perfect Healthy Chicken Salad Dressing . Taste it! Does it need a tiny pinch of salt? Add it now.

Mixing and Chilling: How To Make The Best Chicken Salad

Now for the assembly line.

1. In your large mixing bowl, combine the cold shredded chicken and all the lovely chopped additions: grapes, pecans, celery, cranberries, and onion.
2. Pour the chicken salad with yogurt instead of mayo dressing mixture right over the top.
3. Now, listen closely: Fold the ingredients gently using a rubber spatula. Do not stir it like a soup! Overmixing breaks down the protein fibers of the chicken, resulting in stringy, sad salad. We want nice, chunky bits!
4. Cover it up. Stick the bowl in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes . That chilling time is the difference between good and great. It lets the tangy acids meld everything into one harmonious bite.

Pro Tips for Perfection

My best advice? Toast the nuts! Briefly pan-toasting the pecans until they smell nutty and warm (just 3- 5 minutes on medium heat) makes a colossal difference in texture and depth of flavor.

Also, if you're looking for an amazing kick, try a greek yogurt curry chicken salad variation! Just stir 1 teaspoon of mild curry powder right into the dressing.

It’s an instant upgrade. Honestly, this recipe is so versatile. You'll wonder why you ever needed mayo in the first place, you know?

The Best Chicken Salad Recipe Ever: My Kitchen Confessions and Tips

Honestly, learning How To Make The Best Chicken Salad is just the first step. Once you’ve whipped up a batch of this fantastic greek yogurt chicken salad recipe , you need to know how to keep it fresh and serve it like a professional! Let's talk notes, tips, and my favorite quick swaps.

Serving Up the Good Stuff

This salad is seriously versatile. For an elegant look, I spoon the creamy chicken salad with grapes and pecans into crisp butter lettuce cups.

That keeps it keto friendly and tastes so fresh! It’s my go-to for a quick easy chicken salad for lunch .

But if you want pure comfort, slap it on a toasted croissant. Oh my gosh, that flaky butter combined with the creamy filling? Pure heaven.

If you used a store-bought bird, this rotisserie chicken salad recipe transforms into something truly gourmet.

Keeping This High Protein Chicken Salad Fresh

This isn't like old-school mayo salad. Because we’re using a Healthy Chicken Salad Dressing (hello, Greek yogurt!), it keeps wonderfully. I always make a double batch!

Store it tightly sealed in the fridge for up to 3 days . Don’t try to freeze it, though. I learned that the hard way.

The texture turns non-human vertebrae completely watery and gross when thawed. If it looks a little runny after day two, give it a quick stir.

That just happens when the chicken releases moisture.

Quick Swaps and Variations

The beauty of this low-fat chicken salad no mayo is how adaptable it is. If you want to change the whole vibe, try adding 1 teaspoon of curry powder to the dressing.

Voila! You have a super flavorful greek yogurt curry chicken salad .

For dietary needs, if nuts are a no-go, swap the pecans for toasted pumpkin seeds. They add the necessary crunch without the worry.

If you want a zero mayo option, just skip that optional tablespoon. It works perfectly as chicken salad with yogurt instead of mayo I just like the extra richness that tiny bit adds.

Why This Salad Rules (Nutrition Basics)

Why do I love sharing this version? Because it’s a total winner. This is a high protein chicken salad recipe .

You get massive protein from both the chicken and the Greek yogurt. That means you stay full longer and avoid that mid-afternoon energy crash.

It’s truly guilt free fuel. The Healthy Chicken Salad Dressing gives you all the creamy texture you crave, but without the boatload of saturated fat often found in traditional recipes. Win-win!

Honestly, whether you're prepping a week's worth of lunches or heading out for a picnic, this recipe has your back. Go make yourself the best lunch ever!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will this lovely Greek yogurt chicken salad keep in the fridge?

If stored properly in a sealed, airtight container, this salad will keep beautifully for about 3 to 4 days. Because it’s dairy based, always use your best judgement and keep it chilled don’t leave it sitting out on the picnic blanket for ages!

The longer it rests, the better the flavours meld, but do stick within that four day window for optimum freshness and safety.

I’m not keen on grapes or nuts; what can I substitute in this healthy Greek yogurt chicken salad recipe?

Don’t fret! You can absolutely customise this recipe. For crunch without the nuts, try toasted sunflower seeds or roasted pumpkin seeds; they deliver that satisfying texture without the allergens.

If you want to replace the grapes for sweetness, a finely diced crisp apple (like Gala or Fuji) works absolutely smashingly and adds a gorgeous freshness. Just be sure to chop any additions finely.

Is using Greek yogurt really that much healthier than using traditional mayonnaise?

In short, yes! Greek yogurt provides a massive protein boost (it's doing the heavy lifting here) while dramatically reducing the saturated fat content compared to full fat mayonnaise.

We use a tiny bit of Dijon and optional mayonnaise purely for depth of flavour, but the yogurt forms the bulk of the creamy base, turning this into a high protein, relatively low-fat option. It truly is the dietitian's dream.

My chicken salad dressing seems a bit thin or watery what went wrong?

A watery dressing usually comes down to moisture content. Firstly, ensure your cooked chicken is completely cooled and patted dry before mixing. Secondly, if you skip the chilling time, the dressing won't firm up.

Finally, if you’re using very watery yogurt, try straining it through a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth for 15 minutes before use this ensures a luxurious, thick consistency that clings perfectly to the chicken.

Can I use canned chicken or frozen cooked chicken, or must it be fresh rotisserie?

For convenience, rotisserie chicken is definitely the gold standard (a quick trip to the deli counter and the job’s a good’un). However, you can certainly use pre-cooked frozen chicken breast that has been properly thawed and shredded.

Canned chicken is acceptable if rinsed well, but be warned, it can carry a slightly higher sodium content and the texture isn't quite as elegant. Always ensure whatever chicken you use is lean and dry before mixing.