The Best Chicken Salad Recipes that are quick to make and good for you, too! Life’s too short for boring salads – check out this delicious collection of chicken salads that will make you want to eat salad for every meal!
Easy, Feel Good Chicken Salad Recipes
Tis the season! Salad season, that is. As the days of comfort food come to a close and the warmer weather makes its grand entrance, it’s time for fresh recipes!
As I was putting this fun and delicious roundup together, naturally I found myself reminiscing about all the many salads on my site. One thing stuck out: I have an overwhelming amount of chicken salad recipes up in here.
Don’t get me wrong. I have a good amount of green salad, steak salad, and even salmon salads, too. But chicken is the winner, by far and large!
So without further adieu, here they are. All of my favorite light and easy chicken salad recipes in one spot for your pinning, printing and making pleasure. Even if you go through each and every one of these recipes (which I highly recommend), I guarantee you still won’t be bored of salads. In fact, you’ll be begging for more!
Is Chicken Salad Healthy?
Like most “healthy” recipes, salads and otherwise, the heath factor is all in the preparation! Yes, many salads are generally healthy. But the real nutritional benefits always lie in the ingredients.
Chicken is packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy choice for most meat-friendly diets. Chicken salad can be just as good for you, as long as you stick to healthy, nourishing ingredients (and don’t go overboard on things like mayo!).
What Goes With Chicken Salad?
Whether it’s a classic chicken salad or chicken tossed over greens, a chicken salad is a delicious and easy addition to tons of summer meals! Here are some ideas and sides to serve it with:
- Pickles
- Green Salad
- Roasted Potatoes
- Grilled Sweet Potatoes
- Grilled Vegetables
- Potato Salad
- Corn on the Cob
I can’t wait for you to try some or all of the recipes from the round-up below! And be sure to check out the end of this post for tips on how to store or freeze your leftovers. Bon appétit, friends!
Easy Chicken Salad Recipes to Try
Embrace all sorts of delicious worldly flavors just by changing up your chicken salads! From Buffalo chicken, Mexican chicken, and Asian-inspired salads, just wait – you’re going to want to make these chicken salads for every meal, I guarantee it.
Classic Chicken Salad Recipes
Try these tasty variations of classic chicken salads made with diced or shredded chicken mixed up with creamy dressing!
The Ultimate Paleo Avocado Chicken Salad
This is the ultimate mayo-free chicken salad recipe! Made with avocado, crispy onions and celery, herbs, and spices. The perfect creamy low-carb chicken salad to enjoy over whole wheat toast, or tossed over greens!
Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad
A meal done in 15 minutes? Yes, please! This light and easy cranberry chicken salad recipe is high in protein and gluten free, and ready in minutes. Made with yogurt, dijon mustard, herbs, and fresh lemon then tossed with pecans and cranberries.
Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
The BEST classic chicken salad recipe, made with fresh and tangy Greek yogurt, mustard, spices and fresh lemon juice, then tossed with grapes and pecans. Perfect for a quick lunch!
Chicken Salads with Greens
Prepare to serve perfectly seasoned chicken over a bed of lush greens and wholesome ingredients with these easy recipes.
Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado
For a healthy and flavorful chicken salad to toss together any day of the week, this easy recipe with avocado and chopped honey mustard-marinated chicken breast has your name on it! Topped with what's left of the sweet and zesty honey mustard vinaigrette.
Blackberry Kiwi Balsamic Chicken Salad Recipe
How cool is this combination of flavors? This blackberry and kiwi balsamic chicken salad is light and easy, and naturally gluten free. This baby is filled with fresh fruit, feta cheese, and tender chicken, then covered in homemade balsamic dressing!
Chicken Fajita Salad with Chimmichurri Dressing
Watch out, Taco Tuesday! This 30-minute chicken fajita salad is sure to be a new favorite. Filled with chipotle chicken, sautéd peppers and onions, creamy avocado and drizzled with a zesty chimichurri dressing.
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad
Any Buffalo wings lovers out there? You can have your wings guilt-free with this Buffalo chicken salad recipe. This fresh and easy salad is smothered in spicy Buffalo sauce and filled with grilled vegetables for one delicious bite!
Asian Chicken Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
Take-out just got a makeover! An easy Asian chicken salad packed with vegetables, sweet oranges, grilled chicken and drizzled with a killer sesame ginger dressing!
Mexican Chopped Salad with Poblano Dressing
Up your Salad game and your dinner table with this Mexican chopped salad filled with kale, grilled vegetables, avocado and grilled chipotle chicken, drizzled with a zingy poblano dressing. It’s perfection, trust me!
Mason Jar Southwest Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
If you haven’t made a mason jar salad yet, now’s your chance! This Southwest chicken salad recipe has a zesty cilantro lime dressing and is filled with veggies and protein from top to bottom – plus it only takes 30 minutes!
Asian Chicken Mason Jar Salad
This Asian-inspired mason jar salad will be the envy of the lunch room! Loaded with veggies, Napa cabbage, hearty rotisserie chicken, cashews and topped with a savory sesame dressing – done in 30 minutes!
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
If you haven’t grilled lettuce yet, you’re in for a treat! This grilled chicken Caesar salad recipe is the definition of epic – and the light Caesar dressing is egg- and anchovy-free!
Best Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken
A light salad made with minimal ingredients! This strawberry avocado chicken salad is filled with fresh berries, feta cheese, creamy avocado, and tender grilled chicken.
Harissa Lime Grilled Chicken Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
A Moroccan-inspired salad recipe that’s bursting with flavor! Made with grilled pineapple, roasted pepper, avocado and perfectly marinated harissa chicken breast. Topped off with a zesty cilantro lime vinaigrette!
Avocado Mango Chicken Salad
You can’t get fresher or easier than this fruit-forward grilled avocado and mango chicken salad, a refreshing 30-minute recipe perfect for the summer!
Tropical Coconut Chicken Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing
Have your bikinis at the ready for this tropical coconut chicken salad loaded with fresh exotic fruits and crispy, homemade almond coconut-crusted chicken tenders.
15 Minute Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Dinner for two coming right up, although you may not want to share! This avocado caprese chicken salad is topped with a light balsamic vinaigrette, and only takes 15 minutes to make!
Thai Chicken Zucchini Noodle Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette
One of my favorites, you’re gonna love the zucchini noodles as the base instead of lettuce! Thai chicken zucchini noodle salad topped with a low cal sesame vinaigrette – done in 15 minutes!
Farro Arugula Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe
Ever put grains in your salad? Well you’ll start after you try this farro arugula strawberry chicken salad – a delicious salad filled with juicy strawberries, farro grains, goat cheese, chicken and covered in balsamic dressing!
How to Store Leftovers
When it comes to storing salads, not all recipes are created equal! Some salads, like classic chicken salads made with shredded chicken, will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days when stored airtight.
Meanwhile, salads made with greens, or salads that already have dressing are best to enjoy the day they’re made. The best way to store leftover salad in a pinch is to leave the dressing off, or prep and store the chicken and individual ingredients separately. This way the leaves won’t go wilted and soggy in the fridge!
Can I Freeze Extras?
As a general rule, most salads are not fit for freezing. Classic chicken salad recipes, however, can be frozen in airtight freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw the chicken salad in the fridge and drain any excess liquid before serving (you may also want to stir in some extra mayo or Greek yogurt to revive the texture a bit!).
You can also always prepare and then freeze the cooked chicken separately, for easy thawing and slicing into salads!
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