Healthy Chicken Salad

4.4
(105)

This healthy chicken salad recipe is made with a mixture of Greek yogurt and cottage cheese instead of regular mayonnaise, resulting in a healthier version that's still creamy and delicious but higher in protein. Apples and dried cranberries add a sweet-tart flavor, while chopped pecans provide textural interest in every bite. Serve it on crackers, on a croissant, in a pita, or grab a fork and just dig in!

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Overhead view on a large bowl of healthy chicken salad
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
4

This healthy chicken salad starts with a surprising ingredient: fat-free Greek yogurt! The lighter take on a classic potluck dish will become a staple in your recipe box.

Healthy Chicken Salad Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this healthy chicken salad:

· Yogurt: This chicken salad starts with a container of fat-free Greek yogurt.
· Cottage cheese: Low-fat cottage cheese adds richness and creaminess. Some reviewers like to substitute ricotta.
· Vegetables: You'll need chopped celery and onion.
· Fruit: Chopped apples and dried cranberries deliver bursts of sweet, fruity flavor.
· Pecans: Chopped pecans add welcome crunch and nutty flavor.
· Seasonings: This healthy chicken salad is flavored with Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
· Chicken: Of course, you'll need chicken. This is a great way to use leftover cooked chicken.

How to Make Healthy Chicken Salad

It couldn't be easier to make healthy chicken salad: Simply stir all the ingredients until they're well-combined. That's it! You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below.

How to Store Healthy Chicken Salad

Store your leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. We don't recommend freezing this chicken salad, as yogurt has a tendency to separate during the freezing and thawing processes.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I added more onion, apple, cranberries, pecans and Dijon than was suggested," according to sabina Ephraim. "You could probably put grapes in as well. It was the best chicken salad than I have ever had."

"Amazing," raves Andrea Muniz. "I just sort of eyeballed it so it wasn't exact but I think it's a personal preference on texture. The flavor was great! I am on a high-protein diet so this was perfect."

"Yogurt and cottage cheese … who would have thought," says Debbie. "It was tasty. Kids liked it, but I also kept our own spin on chicken salad sandwiches by adding a diced Granny Smith apple, candied pecans, and halved red grapes!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 (6 ounce) container fat-free Greek yogurt (such as Fage®)

  • ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese

  • ½ cup chopped celery

  • ½ cup diced apple

  • ¼ cup sweetened dried cranberries (such as Craisins®)

  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion

  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans

  • ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 ¼ cups cubed, cooked chicken

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    All ingredients gathered to make healthy chicken salad.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Stir Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, celery, apple, cranberries, onion, pecans, and Dijon mustard in a bowl until well combined.

    Mix most of the ingredients together until well combined.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Mix in chicken. Season with salt and pepper.

    Mix chicken in with the other ingredients.

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    Season everything with salt and pepper.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Enjoy!

    Overhead view on a large bowl of healthy chicken salad

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

Recipe Tip

You can use raisins instead of dried cranberries if preferred.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

168 Calories
6g Fat
13g Carbs
15g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 168
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 29mg 10%
Sodium 248mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 15g 29%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 159mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.