I have an inner desire to be a Southern belle. This calling has come up a few times here, always when I’m sharing a recipe that reminds me of the South and my college girlfriends from the region. Today’s Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad is one of those recipes.
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I never tire of eating this healthy chicken salad for lunch.
It’s nutritious, creamy, ultra filling, and perfect for salads and sandwiches.
It also would likely horrify my friend from Alabama.
This Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad does not have mayo (just like this Avocado Egg Salad and Crab Salad). I can hear my sweet Alabama gal pal, who is an aficionado of all things chicken salad, gasping in horror.
Actually, she’s far too genteel for such a gesture.
I’m sure she has a very polite, socially appropriate sound effect for a chicken salad recipe made without mayo, which she considers an essential condiment for creamy salads of all kinds.
Although I pride myself on not being a picky eater, mayo is one food I’ve never enjoyed.
When I was little, my mom couldn’t even spread it on my sister’s sandwich then use the same knife to cut mine in half without my detecting the perpetration.
Fortunately, Greek yogurt has given me the opportunity to enjoy recipes that traditionally call for mayo, such as chicken salad, in a delicious and even healthy way.
- Greek yogurt is creamy and thick like mayo but with a rich, tangy flavor I find that mayo lacks.
- In most recipes, chicken salad included, Greek yogurt behaves exactly like mayo, making it a perfect one-to-one substitute.
As an added bonus, Greek yogurt is also incredibly healthy.
We’re talking high protein, calcium, and vitamins, all with little or no fat. Clearly I am a fan.
And I am also a major fan of Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad.
Chicken salad is one of those recipes that I sometimes forget about, then once I make it again, wonder why I don’t add it to my menu every single week.
It’s easy, healthy, and ripe for adaptation.
I’ve experimented with many different healthy chicken salad flavor profiles (Curry Chicken Salad; Greek yogurt chicken salad with mustard; Greek yogurt chicken salad without fruit and with fruit), and I can conclusively say that, while each has its place, today’s chicken salad with Greek yogurt and dill, along with some other tasty mix-ins, is my absolute favorite.
Have leftover turkey on hand? Try this delicious Turkey Salad instead.
About This Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
This chicken salad has it all.
- The Creamy: Hello, Greek yogurt.
- The Crunchy: Almonds and celery.
- The Sweet: Grapes, plus a touch of honey.
- The Fresh: Dill and green onion.
- The Juicy: Plump chunks of tender (never dry!) chicken.
This chicken salad recipe is also incredibly easy.
Once the ingredients are prepped, all you need to do is stir them together and ta-da!
A whole bowl of filling, healthy chicken salad goodness. Fruit, veggies, protein, and dairy: the food group gang is all here.
Make Ahead Tips
This salad tastes even better a few hours after it is made, so it’s perfect for parties.
- You can make a big bowl in the morning, then set it out at lunch, along with bread or croissants for guests to serve themselves sandwiches, which Ben’s family does often on long summer days at the lake.
- I also love prepping a bowl of chicken salad for myself to eat for lunch throughout the week. I keep it in the fridge and enjoy either on top of salad greens or piled high on a slice of toasted multigrain bread for fast, healthy lunches.
For a fast, easy way to cook your chicken for this salad, don’t miss this video tutorial for how to cook shredded chicken (you can use the same method to dice). Or you can try this Crock Pot Shredded Chicken or Baked Chicken Breast instead.
More Chicken Salad Recipes
- Curry Chicken Salad
- Whole30 Chicken Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Balsamic Chicken Salad with Avocado, Feta, and Blackberry
Do you have any favorite ways of making chicken salad or must-have additions that I missed?
I’d love to hear about them! Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
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Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 pounds or 3 small/medium breasts), 1/2-inch-diced
- 2 cups seedless red grapes halved
- 3 medium stalks celery diced (scant 1 1/2 cups)
- 2 large green onions or 3 small/medium green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
- ½ cup sliced almonds or slivered almonds, toasted
- 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons nonfat milk
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus additional to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper plus additional to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- Serving suggestions: whole-grain bread croissants, lettuce leaves, crackers
Instructions
- Place the diced chicken, grapes, celery, green onions, and almonds in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, milk, honey, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken mixture and toss to coat. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as desired. If time allows, refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, sprinkle with fresh dill. Serve as a filling for sandwiches, atop salad greens, as a dip with crackers, or simply enjoy it directly out of the bowl.
Notes
- Leftover chicken salad will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition
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Hi Erin,
Love yogurt as a repacement for [the dreaded] mayo. I’m making this tonight & will use fennel instead of celery…..I love fennel too.Thanks for all your great recipes. Nancy Visconti
I hope you love the recipe, Nancy!
I wanted to love this, I really did. But, to me, the Greek yogurt was absolutely gross in it, and I love PLAIN Greek yogurt. I couldn’t waste all those ingredients, so I kept eating it and even went into it fresh the next day. Alas, I just had to toss it.
I’m sorry this recipe wasn’t to your tastes, Merry. I (and many other readers) have truly enjoyed it, so I wish you would’ve too!
I subbed blueberries for grapes, vegan mayo for yogurt, threw in some pecans with the almonds slivers and chopped baby spinach for color. (Also a dash of curry). Omgoodness it was delish. Of course one cd sub tuna for chicken.
Hi Ron! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
This recipe is easy and delicious! Comes together quickly and works with substitutions! I’ll definitely be making again!
Hi Michele! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
As a southerner who truly abhors mayonnaise, I thank you for this recipe!
You’re welcome Blair!
I made this for 4 people for dinner and served with soup. I used the Costco pre cooked and shredded chicken for flavor and simplicity. It was outstanding!
Hi Debbie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Had some poached chicken breasts to use up, so tried this. Super-easy, with nicely-balanced flavors. I cut the chicken smaller: closer to 1/4″ dice. Had to use green grapes instead of red, and quartered them because they were large! Also discovered (shocker!) that the only Greek yogurt in the house is vanilla flavored. Oops! So (please don’t faint) I had to sub in low-fat mayo. But used less of it!! Thinking some aleppo pepper might be tasty in here. And/or so might some freshly-crushed coriander seed. And maybe increase the chicken and include some chopped red bell pepper, especially if subbing green grapes. Trader Joe’s Norwegian flatbreads are the perfect carrier. Dinner was tasty!
Glad it worked out for you Karen! Thank you for this kind review!
Good. A lot less calories than with Mayonnaise. But to me there was too much pepper and I added some dried cranberries.
Hi Linda! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for the feedback! You can definitely adjust the seasonings to your liking!
I made this but omitted the honey & milk and also the dill & green onions. I added a couple of chopped eggs. It was delicious. Will definitely make again.
Hi RC! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This is one of the best healthy chicken salads I’ve ever made. So quick too with leftover rotisserie chicken! This will be making its way into my lunch rotation!
Thanks!
Hi Mary! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I really liked this version of healthier chicken salad. The milk in the yogurt thins the dressing out nicely. To me, the honey took out the sharp tang of yogurt. I think the fresh dill really MADE the dressing. I will make this again and again. So wonderful to save some calories and fat from the mayo. Thanks for another wonderful recipe. BTW, I ordered yesterday your cookbook for my sister for her birthday!
Thank you so much Amy! Really appreciate the support!
Super tasty. A great way to incorporate more protein. Added chopped pecans too. I prefer this over the mayo version.
Thank you Dee!
So delicious! The crunch is all perfect & the flavors are so fresh for a nice! Greek yogurt is my go-to & this was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!
Thank you Jess!
Love this lighter version of traditional chicken salad!
Thank you Emily!
This was so fresh and delicious! I used the store rotisserie chicken which simplified things (and adds a little more flavor). Forgot to buy fresh dill, so had to use dried – can only imagine it will be even better with fresh herbs!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Jeremy! Thank you!
Thank you for this recipe it was absolutely delicious. I made a few alterations.
I had to cut the recipe and half since I only had about one and a half cups of shredded chicken. I substituted a pickled red onions for the green onions. I omitted the almonds, And I used seedless green grapes. I used an orange blossom honey as it has some beautiful citrus notes.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Melanie! Thank you!
Lovely recipe! I add apples and pecans for added sweetness and crunch! So good!
Yum! Thanks Ashley!
Just made this today for lunch, exactly as written except I subbed 1 tsp dried dill for the fresh because that’s what I had on hand. Both my husband and I loved it! So delicious, and much more savory than you’d expect with the grapes and the honey. I didn’t detect any yogurt taste–if you’d told me it was mayo (which I avoid using), I would have believed you, as it’s just neutral here. Fabulous–thanks for a terrific lunch recipe!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Dawn! Thank you!