This healthy chicken salad with Greek yogurt dressing is creamy, high in protein, and perfect for quick, feel-good lunches any day of the week.
For more healthy salad recipes, check out our healthy tuna salad, chickpea salad with life-changing marinade, Italian tuna salad, and Mediterranean dense bean salad.
Your New Go-To for Quick, Protein-Packed Lunches
Louise and I are whipping up this Healthy Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing in our sun-filled kitchen in Todi today 🌿. The light is streaming through the windows, and I can’t wait to film this one for you — it’s our go-to quick lunch when we crave something fresh, protein-rich, and satisfying without spending much time cooking.
What makes this recipe special is the creamy Greek yogurt dressing! It keeps the salad naturally low in saturated fats while adding a boost of protein and that tangy Mediterranean flavor we love.
This high protein chicken salad is perfect for easy meal prep lunches or light dinners, and it’s a great way to use up leftover or rotisserie chicken.
Every bite is fresh, herby, and delicious. It's the kind of meal that makes healthy eating feel effortless 🥗✨.
Nico Pallotta
Ingredients
For quantities, see recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Shredded Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken for ease and flavor. You can also use leftover roasted chicken, poached chicken breast, or turkey if that’s what you have. For a lighter option, try grilled chicken breast or baked chicken thighs — they add great flavor and stay juicy.
- Greek Yogurt: The base of the creamy dressing. Use full-fat for richness or substitute low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr for even more protein and fewer saturated fats. This swap keeps it a low fat chicken salad that still tastes indulgent.
- Mayonnaise: Totally optional, but adding a couple of tablespoons makes the dressing extra silky and a touch more indulgent. It balances the tang of the Greek yogurt while keeping the salad creamy and satisfying without feeling heavy.
- Celery: Adds crunch and freshness. You can replace it with diced cucumber, bell pepper, or even apple for a sweet touch.
- Parsley or Dill: Fresh herbs brighten the flavor. Try basil, tarragon, or chives for a different twist.
- Green Onion: Adds mild sharpness. Substitute with finely chopped red onion or shallots for a stronger flavor.
- Mustard: Gives the dressing tang and depth. Dijon works best, but you can use yellow or grainy mustard for a slightly different bite.
- Lemon Juice: Brings acidity and balance. Lime juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar also work if that’s what you have.
- Pickles or Capers: Add a salty, briny pop that makes the salad exciting. Chopped olives are another great option for a Mediterranean chicken salad feel.
- Optional Add-Ins: For extra color and texture, toss in diced bell peppers, a handful of spinach, or a few cherry tomatoes. These simple upgrades turn your healthy high protein meal into a balanced, nutrient-rich dish.
How to Make a Healthy Chicken Salad
Prep the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, the optional mayonnaise, celery, green onion, mustard, parsley, lemon juice, pickles, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Mix
Shred the rotisserie chicken by hand or with two forks — first remove the skin and bones for best texture.
Fold in the shredded rotisserie chicken until every piece is coated in the dressing. Taste and adjust — add a squeeze of lemon for extra brightness or a few more pickles for crunch.
Serve
Serve your high protein chicken salad on whole-grain bread, tucked into a wrap, as a topping for a microwave sweet potato, or over a bed of fresh greens for a quick, wholesome meal that’s ready in minutes.
Tips
- Use freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken: It keeps the salad juicy and flavorful. Leftover roasted or poached chicken works too.
- Dry your mix-ins well: Pat your celery, pickles, or capers dry before adding them. This keeps the dressing creamy, not watery.
- Don’t overmix: Stir gently so the chicken stays chunky and the salad keeps its satisfying texture.
- Adjust the creaminess: Add a spoonful more Greek yogurt or mayonnaise if you like it extra creamy, or a splash of lemon juice if you prefer it lighter.
- Chill before serving: Let it rest in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes so the flavors blend together beautifully.
- Add crunch at the end: Toss in some chopped nuts, diced apple, or crisp lettuce for more texture — great for a light lunch chicken salad.
- Meal prep tip: Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you plan to mix it with greens, keep them separate until serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This high protein meal keeps well for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. In fact, it tastes even better after a few hours as the flavors blend together.
You can use Skyr or a light sour cream for a similar creamy texture. Both are rich in protein and naturally low in saturated fats.
Absolutely. Just drain it well and mix gently so it doesn’t break apart. It’s a great option for a quick healthy lunch but keep in mind that it can be high in sodium.
Add a touch of garlic powder, a sprinkle of paprika, or extra lemon juice for brightness. Fresh herbs like dill or chives also make a big difference.
Enjoy it in sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or over mixed greens for a light, balanced meal that fits into a Mediterranean-style eating pattern.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- One-pot chicken tagine
- Greek chicken souvlaki
- Creamy chicken and spinach
- Mediterranean chicken kebab
- Chicken alla Norma with eggplant and tomato
- Easy chicken shawarma
- Chicken piccata
- Chicken Marsala
Tried this healthy chicken salad recipe? We'd love to hear what you think! Leave a 🌟 star rating and drop a comment below—we read every single one. 💬💛
Recipe
Healthy Chicken Salad (Greek Yogurt Dressing)
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken about 11 ounces — shredded without skin and bones by hand or with two forks
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 2 tablespoons green onions chopped - sub red onion
- 1 rib celery diced
- 2 tablespoons pickles chopped — or more to taste
- 3 tablespoons parsley chopped — or dill
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste + black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon mustard, 2 tablespoons green onions, 1 rib celery, 2 tablespoons pickles, 3 tablespoons parsley (all chopped), ½ teaspoon salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice until creamy and smooth.
- Add the Chicken: Remove the skin and bones, then shred 2 cups rotisserie chicken by hand or with two forks. Add it to the bowl and mix until all the pieces are coated in the dressing. Taste and adjust with more lemon or pickles if you like.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve your high protein chicken salad on bread, in wraps, on top of a microwaved sweet potato, or over greens for a fresh, balanced meal ready in minutes.
Notes
- Shredded Chicken → Substitute with leftover roasted chicken, poached chicken breast, turkey, grilled chicken, or baked thighs.
- Greek Yogurt → Swap with low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr for more protein and fewer saturated fats. Keeps the dressing creamy and light.
- Mayonnaise → Optional, but a couple of tablespoons make the dressing smoother and more indulgent without feeling heavy.
- Celery → Replace with diced cucumber, bell pepper, or apple for a sweet crunch.
- Parsley or Dill → Try basil, tarragon, or chives for a different fresh flavor.
- Green Onion → Substitute with finely chopped red onion or shallots for a sharper taste.
- Mustard → Use Dijon for tang or swap with yellow or grainy mustard for a milder flavor.
- Lemon Juice → Replace with lime juice or apple cider vinegar for a similar brightness.
- Pickles or Capers → Try chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean chicken salad twist.
- Optional Add-Ins → Add diced bell peppers, spinach, or cherry tomatoes for color, texture, and a healthy high protein meal feel.
Ruth Estacio says
Amazing healthy recipes