Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt

Chicken salad with Greek yogurt is a lower-fat, high-protein spin on traditional chicken salad. It’s packed with flavor and texture boosters such as fresh basil, zippy lemon juice, crunchy pecans and savory parmesan cheese.

You can serve it as humbly or elegantly as you want: on sandwich bread, a bed of lettuce leaves or a buttery croissant. Chicken salad is one of those versatile dishes that is an ideal afternoon meal for guests or a nourishing weekday lunch at your desk.

The Greek yogurt replaces mayonnaise for a tangy dressing that packs a lot of protein, but still tastes creamy and rich.

Ingredients for Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt

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• Chicken: Cube, chop or shred cooked chicken for the salad, depending on the texture you prefer.
• Greek yogurt: Plain fat-free Greek yogurt serves as the dressing for the chicken salad.
• Pecans: Chopped pecans add crunch to the salad, but you can skip the nuts or use your favorite, such as smoked almonds or toasted walnuts.
• Fresh basil: Chopped basil brings a fresh, herbal flavor. You can omit or substitute dried basil in half the amount.
• Parmesan cheese: Just a half cup of a hard grating cheese (pecorino would work too) adds some extra umami.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the salad—most dishes benefit from a dash of acidity to balance the flavors.
• Lemon-pepper seasoning: The lemon peel in this seasoning blend has an aromatic citrus peel that combines with the gentle heat of black pepper for an ideal complement to chicken.
• Sugar: If you prefer your chicken salad on the sweeter side, add a dash of sugar or a drizzle of honey. If not, leave it out.
• Fresh parsley: Sprinkling the salad with fresh parsley just before for some pretty green and a lively flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Mix up chicken salad

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Combine all of the ingredients except for the parsley. Mix well. Sprinkle with fresh parsley just before serving.

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Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt Variations

• Change the protein: This recipe works just as well with cooked turkey or canned tuna; whatever you have and enjoy the most.
• Add fruit: Chicken salad pairs well with sweet fruit, either served alongside or mixed right in. Try halved grapes, diced green apple, or a dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries.
• Fresh herbs: The recipe calls for basil and parsley, but it is flexible. Fresh herbs add a lot of dimension, but you can also try thyme, tarragon or dill.

How to Store Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt

This recipe calls for both chicken and dairy, so storing at the proper temperature is important. Keep covered in the refrigerator when not enjoying, and store for up to four days.

Can you make chicken salad ahead of time?

Chicken salad stores well in the refrigerator. If you’re making it a day or more before serving, consider mixing in fresh herbs and nuts just before for the freshest flavor and maximum crunch. An additional spritz of lemon juice can also reinvigorate a salad that’s been refrigerated for a few days.

Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt Tips

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What are the best ways to cook chicken for chicken salad?

How you cook the chicken is very flexible. You can even buy and cut up a rotisserie chicken. Otherwise, poached or roasted chicken both add slightly different flavors but make for an equally delicious salad.

Can I use full-fat Greek yogurt?

If you want a richer dressing, full-fat Greek yogurt works great. You can also substitute a portion of the yogurt for traditional mayonnaise or some olive oil.

How should I serve chicken salad?

Chicken salad is flexible. Eat it with a spoon right out of the bowl, or serve it with crackers and fruit. It can be scooped on to a bed of lettuce or spread on sandwich bread or a flaky croissant.