This healthy Greek yogurt chicken salad recipe offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. And it’s perfect for those seeking a satisfying yet light meal.
Featuring succulent chicken breast and tangy yogurt, it’s protein-packed and guaranteed to keep you full and energized.
But that’s not all! The crisp grapes bring a wonderful burst of sweet freshness to every forkful.
Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
Why settle for a boring old salad when you can indulge in this delightful Greek yogurt chicken salad?
It’s cool, rich, and chock-full of taste and texture.
Use pre-cooked chicken (leftover rotisserie chicken is my top choice!) to keep the prep time short. And don’t be shy with the juicy grapes!
Add the crunch of celery stalks and green onions, plus some butter pecans, and it’s sure to be gobbled up in a flash.
But the real magic happens in the dressing.
Thick, tangy Greek yogurt with the zesty kick of Dijon mustard and a hint of garlic powder – it’s creamy, flavorful, and indulgent.
The honey is optional, but I love that additional kiss of sweetness. Either way, this Greek chicken salad recipe is ideal for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Like all the best chicken salad recipes, this has a relatively short ingredient list. You can add to it if you like, but I think simple is better in this case.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken Breast – it brings a meaty, protein-rich bite for a hearty and filling meal.
- Seedless Grapes – for juicy sweetness.
- Celery Stalks – serves a fresh, crunchy contrast to the tender chicken.
- Green Onions – for a fresh, peppery flavor and crunch to the salad
- Toasted Pecans – add a delightful crunch and nutty flavors
- Greek Yogurt – the base of the dressing. It’s thick and tangy, coating the chicken just right. Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the best flavor.
- Dijon Mustard – lends a tangy and savory flavor to the dressing.
- Garlic Powder – adds a subtle flavor to the dressing.
- Honey – adds sweetness and balances out the tanginess in the dressing. It’s optional, so feel free to skip it.
- Salt and Pepper – enhance the overall flavor of the salad.
How to Make Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
To make this healthy chicken salad, you just need to chop a few key elements and mix the dressing. It’s so easy, even the kids can help.
I have more details at the bottom of the post. But here’s a super quick overview:
1. Prepare all your ingredients. Chop and weigh out everything you need.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the dressing first, then toss the rest in a mix.
3. Chill and serve. It’s great in sandwiches – but only once it’s chilled.
Tips and Variations
Whipping up this salad is a breeze – you just toss everything together and enjoy. But here are some fun tips and variations you can try!
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt for a thick, creamy dressing.
- Chop the ingredients uniformly. This step will ensure that each bite has a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
- Season well. Use plenty of herbs, spices, and other seasonings to add flavor to your chicken salad.
- Let it chill for at least an hour before serving. This step will allow the flavors to meld together.
- Taste the chicken salad as you go. Adjust seasoning and add ingredients as necessary until you achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
- Add feta. It’ll bring a tangy and savory element.
- Try mayo and yogurt. Greek yogurt is healthy and tangy. But if you want a richer flavor, try 1/2 full-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 light mayo.
- Swap out the grapes. Dried cranberries work really well, and they’re better if you make this ahead since they have less moisture.
How to Serve Chicken Salad
Looking for a way to elevate your chicken salad game? Here are some creative ideas that you should try:
Sandwiches – Use a variety of breads, from a crusty baguette, buttery croissant, or whole grain bread.
Lettuce Wraps – For a low-carb, gluten-free option, serve your chicken salad in lettuce wraps. Use large lettuce leaves such as iceberg, butter lettuce, or romaine.
Stuffed Veggies – Hollow out tomatoes, bell peppers, or avocados and stuff them with your chicken salad.
Stuffed Pita Pockets – For a Mediterranean flair, stuff your chicken salad into a pita pocket. Add sliced red onions for added crunch.
Chicken Salad Crostini – For a chic appetizer or finger food, toast thin slices of bread and top with a spoonful of chicken salad. Yum!
How to Store
To keep your chicken salad fresh and safe to eat, it’s important to store it properly.
So, if you have leftovers or chose to make it ahead, here’s what you need to know:
To Store: Transfer chicken salad leftovers into an airtight container. Place it in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Do not freeze: The Greek yogurt, grapes, and celery will not thaw well.
Note: if the cooked chicken is more than a day or two old, you should only store it in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Also, don’t leave it at room temperature for over 2 hours. Otherwise, you run the risk of bacterial growth and spoilage.
More Chicken Salad Recipes You’ll Love
Hot Chicken Salad
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Ina Garten Chicken Salad
Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
4
servings20
minutes274
kcalThis healthy Greek yogurt chicken salad offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. And it’s perfect for those seeking a satisfying yet light meal.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds cooked chicken breast, cut into cubes
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup toasted pecans
1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons honey
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the Greek yogurt with the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and honey. Mix until smooth.
- Taste the dressing and season with salt and pepper (to taste).
- Add the chopped chicken, seedless grapes, chopped celery, sliced green onions, and toasted pecans.
- Mix well until everything is fully coated.
- Cover the bowl and chill the salad for 1-2 hours.
- Stir well, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
- This salad lasts about 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Use nonfat Greek yogurt to make it light. But full-fat is more flavorful. Or try 1/2 mayo and 1/2 yogurt for a richer taste.
- Dried cranberries can be substituted for grapes.
Nutrition
- Calories: 274kcal
- Carbohydrates: 23.6g
- Protein: 16.6g
- Fat: 13.9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8g
- Cholesterol: 34mg
- Sodium: 370mg
- Potassium: 596mg
- Fiber: 4.5g
- Sugar: 15.8g
- Calcium: 147mg
- Iron: 2mg
