Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

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5 from 4 votes

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By: Julie Evink5 Comments

Posted: 01/13/16Updated: 10/14/23

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Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe ~ This quick and easy chicken salad recipe is low-calorie, can be made ahead of time, and perfect on a sandwich or as an appetizer!

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Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (1)

TodayI am bringing you a quick and easy recipe for classic chicken salad. Aaaand, as an added bonus, it’s a low-calorie version! High-fives all around!

It’s the perfect recipe for those of you who are sticking strong to your health-related New Year’s resolutions (anyone out there?!). Or, if you’re like me and have had a bit of a bumpy stretch already (guys, I’m going to be transparent here—I LOVE dessert), this chicken salad recipe can help you get back on track.

With this recipe, you can have your cake and eat it too (literally, because it’s so light and healthythere’s plenty of room for cake).

Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (3)

Now, I don’t know about you, but I am a huge sucker for a good chicken salad sandwich (I hope you guys are too!). There used to be this amazing bagel shop near where I lived, and their chicken salad on a sourdough bagel was to-die for! Unfortunately, the place was sold and the owners took their chicken salad recipe with them, leaving me to wish I had ordered it more often (because once a week apparently was not enough for me).

But, this story ends on a good note! While this chicken saladis not an exact replica of the recipe, it is pretty close to it. The secret ingredient? Spicy brown mustard. The little zing in the mustard totally amps up the flavor without adding too many extra calories. It’s a win/win situation.

Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (4)

This recipe is incredibly versatile as well. You can substitute any ingredients you have on into the recipe, double or triple the recipe, and even make the recipe ahead of time.

You can serve it up anyway you like it as well. If you’re low-carbing it, you can serve this salad over lettuce. If you’re gluten-free, put this salad on rice chips. Eat by itself or on a slice of bread. Or, if you want to join me in having the best sandwich in the world, put on a toasted sourdough bagel. See? You can literally do anything you want with it.

I know. It’s so easy!

Love this salad? Be sure to also try the old fashioned classic Pea Salad is a favorite that is served cold and enjoyed all year long!

Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (5)

5 from 4 votes

Contents show

Light and Healthy Chicken Salad

This quick and easy chicken salad recipe is low-calorie, can be made ahead of time, and perfect on a sandwich or as an appetizer!

Prep:10 minutes mins

Total:10 minutes mins

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4

Ingredients

Chicken Salad

  • 2 cups chicken cooked and diced
  • 1/4 cup celery diced
  • 1/4 cup green grapes cut in half
  • 1/4 cup red grapes cut in half
  • 1/4 cup almonds sliced
  • 2 Tbsp Greek Yogurt plain* (or light mayonnaise)
  • 2 tsp spicy brown mustard
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • optional add ins or substitutions: diced red onion, diced carrots, raisins, etc.

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix chicken, celery, green and red grapes, and almonds together. Set aside.

  • In a small bowl, mix together Greek yogurt (or mayo) and spicy brown mustard with all seasonings.

  • Pour dressing over chicken mixture and stir until coated.

  • Serve with crackers, on lettuce, or bread.

  • Enjoy!

Tips

*I like a lightly dressed chicken salad. However, if you prefer a wetter chicken salad, feel free to add more Greek Yogurt or spicy brown mustard to your taste preference.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 194kcal (10%), Carbohydrates: 6g (2%), Protein: 13g (26%), Fat: 13g (20%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Cholesterol: 42mg (14%), Sodium: 366mg (16%), Potassium: 232mg (7%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 3g (3%), Vitamin A: 105IU (2%), Vitamin C: 1.5mg (2%), Calcium: 41mg (4%), Iron: 0.8mg (4%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.

Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (6)

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Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!

Read more...

Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (10)

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. Malinda says

    Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (15)
    I loved this chicken salad! So light and fresh and perfect for warmer weather too!

    Reply

    • Michelle Sperr says

      Yay! So glad you loved this recipe Malinda!

      Reply

  2. Alison LaFortune says

    Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (16)
    So fresh and delicious! The leftovers were yummy too.

    Reply

    • Michelle Sperr says

      Thank you for sharing Alison! I’m glad this recipe was a success in your kitchen!

      Reply

  3. Danielle | The Creative Bite says

    This is a great lunch idea that would pack well for work. YUM!

    Reply

Light and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is chicken salad healthy for weight loss? ›

Chicken salad can assist with weight loss, but there are some factors to consider. Firstly, you should control your portions. Eating too much, even hearty and healthy foods, is a barrier to losing weight. Chicken is one of the lower-fat foods, and its proteins promote satiety.

What are the ingredients for chicken salad? ›

How many calories are in 1 cup of homemade chicken salad? ›

Chicken Salad (1 cup) contains 2.3g total carbs, 1.6g net carbs, 31.9g fat, 29.4g protein, and 417 calories.

Is chicken salad good for high cholesterol? ›

If you use breast meat (as opposed to dark meat or chicken cooked with the skin on) the salad will have less cholesterol and saturated fat. Celery, onion and any other produce incorporated in the salad will add vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Can I lose weight if I only eat chicken salads? ›

Still, even though chicken salad is high in protein, one dish alone isn't super impactful for weight loss. Instead, eating an overall healthy diet that is within your daily calorie needs and is rich in lean protein, healthy fats, fiber, and nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables is best for weight loss.

Is it OK to eat chicken salad everyday? ›

Depending on the other ingredients, it may also contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Using mayonnaise or serving the salad on a croissant, on the other hand, adds calories and fat. As a result, it's better to eat chicken salad in moderation as part of a well-rounded diet.

How many calories in 1 cup of chicken salad with light mayo? ›

Results for "CHICKEN SALAD WITH LIGHT MAYO"

Other sizes: 1 cup - 416kcal, 100 g - 200kcal, more... Other sizes: 1 serving - 294kcal, 100 g - 221kcal, 1 oz - 63kcal, more...

What is considered a serving of chicken salad? ›

A standard serving is about half a cup, which is the equivalent of 2 ounces of chicken and 1/8 cup of vegetables.

Is salad with mayonnaise healthy? ›

Worst: 'Salads' With Mayonnaise

Tuna, lean chicken, and boiled eggs can be good sources of protein, but that benefit is canceled out if you drown them in mayo, which is loaded with fat, salt, and calories. For a healthier version, use a small amount of light mayonnaise and some fat-free sour cream or plain yogurt.

What is the healthiest salad you can eat? ›

10 Nutrient-Dense Salad Recipes
  • Low-Carb Asian Chopped Salad.
  • Spicy Shrimp, Avocado, and Arugula Salad.
  • Tofu and Kale Salad.
  • Pear, Grape, and Feta Salad.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Salad.
  • Blood Orange and Quinoa Kale Salad.
  • Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad.
  • Roasted Chickpea and Kale Salad.
Jul 20, 2021

What to eat with chicken salad instead of bread? ›

Crackers are the perfect pairing for the creamy, rich flavors found in our chicken salad. We love the chicken salad/cracker combination so much that our Meal Pack comes complete with 4oz of southern-style chicken salad, a wooden spreader, and salad water crackers for serving.

Can I eat chicken salad with high blood pressure? ›

So, the question remains whether you should add it to your diet if you suffer from high blood pressure. However, the essential thing you need to keep in mind is that chicken consumption is not unsafe for those with high blood pressure. You can choose to add skinless chicken to your diet for the best nutrition.

Is chicken good for weight loss? ›

As a lean meat, chicken doesn't have much fat — so aim for 100g per day as part of a balanced diet to make sure you're getting what you need. High is protein, it's a solid choice for feeling satiated for longer, weight loss and maintaining lean body mass.

Will I lose weight if I eat salads for 30 days? ›

Whether you will lose weight or not by eating salads for 30 days is dependent on what's in your salads and how much you eat. As with any other diet, if you don't create a calorie deficit, you won't lose weight (7).

Is chicken rice and salad good for weight loss? ›

Yep, chicken and rice is a solid meal choice for weight loss. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, meaning it'll supply more protein for less calories than other cuts of meat like lean steak or salmon. Plus, the combo of carbs and protein will keep you satisfied for hours.

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