High Protein Chicken Salad
A quick, easy, and healthy chicken salad packed with lean protein, fresh veggies, and a creamy yet light dressing. Perfect for lunch or meal prep, this salad is flavorful, satisfying, and versatile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (light mayo optional)
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Optional add-ins: diced apples or grapes, toasted nuts, avocado
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: shred or dice about 3 cups (450g) of cooked chicken breast.
- Chop the veggies: finely dice 1 cup celery and ¼ cup red onion.
- Mix the dressing: in a medium bowl, combine ½ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Combine all ingredients: add shredded chicken, celery, and red onion to the dressing. Toss gently to coat evenly without breaking up the chicken.
- Add fresh parsley: stir in 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Chill before serving: refrigerate for at least 15–20 minutes to let flavors meld and salad firm up slightly (optional).
- Serve: spoon onto fresh lettuce, whole-grain bread, or enjoy straight from a bowl.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Finely chop celery and onion for best texture. Chill salad before serving for better flavor melding. For a lighter salad, swap mayo for all Greek yogurt. Add optional ingredients like diced apples, grapes, or nuts for sweetness and crunch. Avoid overmixing to prevent sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (250 gra
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: high protein chicken salad, healthy lunch, easy chicken salad, meal prep, lean protein, Greek yogurt chicken salad