Whether you have leftover chicken from a previous recipe or dinner or are in the mood and ready to make a fresh chicken dish, chicken salad is a great meal to put together. It’s full of protein and healthy fats, requires little work, and uses your leftovers when you have them!
Of course, the best chicken salad recipes utilize healthy ingredients, and this version certainly meets that criteria.
What Is Chicken Salad?
Chicken salad is a savory dish typically consisting of chopped or shredded cooked chicken, mixed with a binding agent, such as mayonnaise, salad dressing or cream cheese. It often includes other ingredients, like chopped vegetables, herbs, spices, and sometimes fruit or nuts.
Chicken salad can be enjoyed in various ways:
- Sandwiches: Spread on bread, croissants or pita bread for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.
- Salad topping: Add a scoop to a bed of lettuce or mixed greens for a protein-packed salad.
- Wraps: Layer your favorite fillings with chicken salad in a whole wheat wrap for a portable and healthy meal.
- Appetizer: Serve on crackers, cucumber slices or mini toasts for a delightful party appetizer.
Chicken salad is a versatile, easy-to-make dish perfect for various occasions, and its specific ingredients and flavor profile can be adjusted to individual preferences.
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Key Ingredients
This chicken salad recipe is a simple, classic version. For a variation that has a slightly different flavor, you can try a Fall Chicken Salad recipe.
As for this traditional version, here are the key players:
- Chicken: You can’t make chicken salad without chicken, and it’s always best to opt for organic, free-range chicken for highest quality and healthiest choice. It’s high in protein, free from the hormones used on many farmed birds and often makes for a tastier cut.
- Celery: Often overlooked, the benefits of celery may surprise you. This low-calorie, hydrating food is also high in vitamin K and can help manage blood sugar and cholesterol, lower inflammation, protect the heart and liver, and so much more.
- Red grapes: If you’re looking for a fruit to add both flavor and potentially years to your life, grapes are it. Commonly added to chicken salad recipes, grapes provide vitamins K and C and support longevity thanks to their high antioxidant content.
- Walnuts: These walnuts are a great source of healthy fats, and that’s not all walnuts nutrition provides. Thanks to the omega-3s and array of minerals and B vitamins walnuts contain, they’re considered brain foods that are also good for the heart, immune system and reproductive health.
This recipe also calls for lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper for enhanced flavor and is bound together with mayo. If you like avocado, however, you can replace the mayo with mashed avocado for an even healthier nutrition boost.
How to Make Chicken Salad
First shred the cooked chicken and dice the celery, grapes and walnuts.
Then, simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl until it’s all combined. That’s it!
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Then, spread your chicken salad on some bread or a wrap, toss it on top of leafy greens, or enjoy it on its own!
Similar Recipes
If you like chicken salad and want some similar dishes, here are some recipes to try:
- Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Tuna Pasta Salad with Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
- Traditional Egg Salad
- Taco Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Italian-Inspired Macaroni Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
Chicken Salad Recipe
(40)
- Author: Dr. Josh Axe
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
When you have leftover chicken, try this chicken salad recipe. It’s full of protein and healthy fats, requires little work, and uses your leftovers.
INGREDIENTS
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- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 3 cups diced celery
- 1 cup sliced red grapes
- ⅔ cup Paleo mayonnaise
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
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INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined.
NOTES
- You can customize this chicken salad recipe with different herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables. Add whatever you like and/or whatever tastes good!
- You can use mashed avocado in place of the mayo for a boost in nutrition.
