This hearty chicken salad is part of my Hearty Salads series. These are salads that not only taste great but also fill you up. In fact, they’re chalk full of protein. Additionally, I’ve added plain Greek yogurt to the mayonnaise, which helps reduce the saturated fat. As a result, it’s both hearty and healthy!
Crunchy Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken, previously cooked and cut up
- 3 bunches Hearts of Romaine Lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 Red onion, diced
- 3 ribs Celery, diced
- 2 Green onions, diced
- 1/2 bunch Parsley ,chopped
- 1/2 cup Almonds, sliced
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise olive or avocado oil mayo is best
- 1/4 Plain Greek yogurt
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and dry three bunches of hearts of Romaine lettuce. Chop into bite size pieces, and place in a large serving bowl.
- Cut up 1lb of previously cooked chicken. You can also use rotisserie chicken here. Cut into bite size pieces or shred. Set aside.
- Chop celery, green & red onions and parsley.
- In a small bowl combine yogurt and mayonnaise. *NOTE: I use half yogurt with the mayonnaise to reduce the fat & calories, and add protein, but you can choose to use all mayonnaise or all yogurt.
- To a large bowl, add chicken, onions, almonds, parsley, celery, and yogurt mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until combined. Top chicken mixture over bed of lettuce. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Hearty Chicken Salad
If you’re looking for a healthy chicken recipe that’s anything but boring, this hearty chicken salad is exactly what you need. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just need a quick, satisfying lunch, this easy salad recipe delivers on both taste and nutrition. Thanks to the combination of lean protein-packed chicken, crunchy veggies, and healthy fats from almonds and yogurt, it’s a complete low carb salad you’ll actually look forward to eating.
Perfect for Meal Prep or Quick Lunches
One of the best things about this protein salad is how well it holds up in the fridge. Store the chicken mixture and chopped lettuce separately, and you’ll have a meal prep salad ready to assemble any time. This makes it perfect for chicken lunch ideas during a busy workweek or a light dinner on a warm evening.
You can even customize it to your liking—add some diced apples for a touch of sweetness, or swap almonds for walnuts for a different crunch. But no matter how you tweak it, the base of this hearty salad stays flavorful and satisfying.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Salad
- Use quality mayo and yogurt: A good olive oil or avocado oil-based mayo will enhance the taste. Greek yogurt adds creaminess without extra fat.
- Try rotisserie chicken: For convenience, grab a store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s flavorful and saves time.
- Add freshness: Add any fresh herb here, parsley, cilantro, basil, your choice.
- Season well: Taste and adjust the salt and pepper. Proper seasoning makes all the difference in any healthy chicken salad recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty chicken salad over a bed of crisp romaine, wrap it in lettuce leaves for a low-carb option, or scoop it into a whole grain pita for extra fiber. You can even turn it into a chicken salad lettuce wrap or stuff it into a bell pepper for a creative twist.
