Name: Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups chicken; 2 Scallions; ⅓ cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp plain greek yogurt; ½ red pepper; ⅓ cup water chestnuts; 2 tbsp almonds; 1 tsp dijon mustard; ½ tsp lemon juice; salt and pepper

This easy chicken salad recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious meal. It's packed with flavor, combining the creaminess of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt with the crunchiness of red pepper, water chestnuts, and almonds. Ideal for lunch or a light dinner, this dish is both satisfying and nutritious.

Photos of Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in every household. Water chestnuts add a unique crunch, and they can be found in the canned vegetable section of the supermarket. Scallions provide a mild onion flavor and are usually located in the produce section. Dijon mustard offers a tangy taste and is typically found in the condiment aisle.

Ingredients for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken: Provides the main protein for the salad, offering a hearty and satisfying base.

Scallions: Adds a mild, fresh onion flavor that enhances the overall taste of the salad.

Mayonnaise: Contributes creaminess and richness, binding all the ingredients together.

Plain Greek yogurt: Adds tanginess and a creamy texture while keeping the salad lighter.

Red pepper: Offers a sweet and crunchy element, balancing the creamy components.

Water chestnuts: Adds a crisp texture and subtle sweetness, making the salad more interesting.

Almonds: Provides a nutty flavor and additional crunch, enhancing the salad's texture.

Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy note, elevating the overall flavor profile.

Lemon juice: Brings acidity and freshness, brightening up the dish.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.

Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the salad.

One reader, Gustie Yarbrough says:

This easy chicken salad recipe is fantastic! The blend of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt adds a creamy texture, while the water chestnuts and almonds give a delightful crunch. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal.

Gustie Yarbrough

Techniques for Making Easy Chicken Salad

How to cook chicken: Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly by boiling, grilling, or baking until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). How to chop scallions: Slice the scallions thinly, using both the white and green parts. How to dice red pepper: Cut the red pepper into small, even pieces. How to chop water chestnuts: Dice the water chestnuts into small pieces. How to toast almonds: Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant.

How To Make Easy Chicken Salad

Nothing beats this 10-minute chicken salad recipe! It’s made with a tasty blend of mayo, chicken, water chestnuts, and more for a filling meal.

Preparation: 10 minutes

Cooking:

Total: 10 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

2cupschicken,chopped, cooked
2scallions,finely diced
⅓cupmayonnaise
2tbspplain greek yogurt
½red pepper,finely diced
⅓cupwater chestnuts,chopped, or diced celery
2tbspalmonds,chopped, optional
1tspdijon mustard
½tsplemon juice
salt and pepper,to taste

Instructions

Stir together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, scallions, Dijon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Toss with the chicken, red pepper, water chestnuts, and almonds to combine.
Serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 336.37kcal
Fat: 28.20g
Saturated Fat: 5.72g
Trans Fat: 0.07g
Monounsaturated Fat: 9.53g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 11.74g
Carbohydrates: 5.56g
Fiber: 1.53g
Sugar: 1.82g
Protein: 15.14g
Cholesterol: 61.20mg
Sodium: 320.28mg
Calcium: 36.04mg
Potassium: 285.55mg
Iron: 1.04mg
Vitamin A: 55.98µg
Vitamin C: 22.19mg

Expert Tip for Perfecting Your Chicken Salad

For a more flavorful chicken salad, consider roasting the chicken with a light seasoning of salt, pepper, and a touch of olive oil before shredding it. This adds a depth of flavor that elevates the overall taste of the salad.

Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe

Pre-cook the chicken: Use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken to save time on cooking and shredding.

Chop ahead: Dice the red pepper, scallions, and water chestnuts in advance and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-sliced almonds: Buy pre-sliced almonds to avoid the hassle of chopping them yourself.

Mix the dressing first: Prepare the mayonnaise, greek yogurt, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper dressing ahead of time and store it in an airtight container.

Substitute Ingredients For Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

chicken - Substitute with turkey: Turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a great alternative in salads.
scallions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
mayonnaise - Substitute with avocado: Mashed avocado provides a creamy texture and healthy fats, making it a nutritious alternative.
plain greek yogurt - Substitute with sour cream: Sour cream has a similar tangy flavor and creamy consistency, suitable for mixing with mayonnaise.
red pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell peppers offer a similar sweetness and crunch, adding color and texture to the salad.
water chestnuts - Substitute with celery: Celery provides a similar crunch and fresh flavor, making it a good alternative for texture.
almonds - Substitute with walnuts: Walnuts offer a similar crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the salad's texture and taste.
dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard has a similar tangy flavor with added texture from the mustard seeds.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, brightening the salad.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can be used in small amounts to season the salad.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and spice, enhancing the overall flavor of the salad.

Presenting Your Easy Chicken Salad

Use a ring mold for plating: Place a ring mold in the center of the plate and fill it with the chicken salad mixture. This will give the dish a refined, professional look.
Garnish with microgreens: Top the chicken salad with a small handful of microgreens. They add a touch of elegance and a burst of fresh flavor.
Add a drizzle of balsamic reduction: Lightly drizzle a balsamic reduction around the chicken salad. This adds a sophisticated touch and a hint of sweetness.
Incorporate edible flowers: Place a few edible flowers around the plate. They provide a pop of color and elevate the visual appeal.
Serve with artisan bread: Accompany the chicken salad with thin slices of toasted artisan bread on the side. This adds texture and a rustic element to the dish.
Use a chilled plate: Serve the chicken salad on a chilled plate to keep it fresh and crisp. This also enhances the dining experience.
Add a lemon twist: Garnish the plate with a twist of lemon peel. It adds a zesty aroma and complements the flavors in the salad.
Sprinkle with toasted almonds: Lightly sprinkle additional toasted almonds on top of the chicken salad for added crunch and visual appeal.
Create a colorful vegetable medley: Arrange thin slices of red pepper and other colorful vegetables around the plate. This adds vibrancy and a fresh element to the dish.
Finish with a touch of sea salt: Just before serving, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the chicken salad. This enhances the flavors and adds a gourmet touch.

Essential Tools for Making Chicken Salad

Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the mayonnaise, greek yogurt, scallions, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Whisk: This will help you stir together the wet ingredients until they are well combined.
Cutting board: Essential for chopping the scallions, red pepper, and water chestnuts.
Chef's knife: Use this to finely chop the scallions, red pepper, and water chestnuts.
Measuring cups: These will help you measure out the chicken, mayonnaise, and water chestnuts accurately.
Measuring spoons: Use these to measure the greek yogurt, almonds, dijon mustard, and lemon juice.
Mixing spoon: This will help you toss the chicken, red pepper, water chestnuts, and almonds with the dressing.
Serving bowl: Use this to present your finished chicken salad.

Storing and Freezing Homemade Chicken Salad

To store the chicken salad, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together and intensify over time, making it even more delicious.
If you want to freeze the chicken salad, it's best to do so without the mayonnaise and greek yogurt. These ingredients can separate and become watery when thawed, affecting the texture of the salad.
To freeze, mix together the cooked and cooled chicken, red pepper, water chestnuts, and almonds. Place the mixture in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
Label the container or bag with the date and contents, and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to enjoy the frozen chicken salad, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
Once thawed, drain any excess liquid and mix in the mayonnaise, greek yogurt, scallions, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve as desired.

Interesting Trivia About Chicken Salad

A fun fact about this chicken salad recipe is that the inclusion of plain Greek yogurt not only adds a creamy texture but also provides a good source of protein and probiotics, making it a healthier alternative to using only mayonnaise.

Budget-Friendly Chicken Salad for Home Cooks

This easy chicken salad recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like chicken, scallions, mayonnaise, and red pepper are affordable and widely available. The use of plain Greek yogurt and water chestnuts adds a unique twist without breaking the bank. Overall, this recipe scores a solid 8 out of 10 in terms of cost-effectiveness. For a household of 4 people, the approximate cost would be around $12-$15 USD, making it a budget-friendly yet delicious option.

Is This Chicken Salad Recipe Healthy or Not?

This chicken salad recipe has some healthy elements, but there's room for improvement. Let's break it down:

Pros:

Chicken is a lean protein source
Greek yogurt adds protein and reduces the amount of mayonnaise needed
Red pepper provides vitamin C and other nutrients
Water chestnuts offer a low-calorie crunch
Almonds contribute healthy fats and protein
Dijon mustard and lemon juice add flavor without many calories

Cons:

Mayonnaise is high in calories and fat
The recipe lacks leafy greens or other vegetables
Almonds, while nutritious, are calorie-dense

To make this recipe even healthier, consider these suggestions:

Reduce the mayonnaise to 1/4 cup and increase the Greek yogurt to 1/4 cup to maintain creaminess while cutting calories and fat
Add 1-2 cups of chopped leafy greens like spinach or kale to boost the vegetable content and provide more fiber, vitamins, and minerals
Include 1/4 cup of diced celery for extra crunch and negligible calories
Opt for a low-fat or avocado-based mayonnaise to reduce saturated fat
Use unsalted almonds to control sodium levels, and consider reducing the amount to 1 tbsp if calorie intake is a concern
Serve the chicken salad over a bed of mixed greens or in a whole-grain wrap for a well-rounded meal

Our Editor's Take on This Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

This chicken salad recipe is a delightful blend of textures and flavors. The creamy mayonnaise and Greek yogurt base is perfectly balanced by the crunch of water chestnuts and almonds. The addition of scallions and red pepper adds a fresh, vibrant note, while the Dijon mustard and lemon juice provide a subtle tang. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own, in a sandwich, or over a bed of greens. Simple yet sophisticated, this recipe is both easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Enhance Your Easy Chicken Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus: Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus: Imagine the delightful crunch of asparagus spears, kissed by the oven's warmth, and adorned with a golden crust of parmesan cheese and fragrant garlic. This side dish brings a touch of elegance and a burst of flavor that perfectly complements the creamy textures of your chicken salad.

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad: Quinoa and Black Bean Salad: A vibrant medley of quinoa, black beans, and colorful bell peppers, tossed in a zesty lime vinaigrette. This side dish not only adds a pop of color to your plate but also a delightful contrast of textures and a hint of citrus freshness.

Sweet Potato Fries with Spicy Aioli: Sweet Potato Fries with Spicy Aioli: Crispy, golden sweet potato fries served with a creamy, spicy aioli dipping sauce. The natural sweetness of the fries pairs beautifully with the tangy, savory notes of the chicken salad, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

Caprese Salad Skewers: Caprese Salad Skewers: Skewers of juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves, drizzled with a balsamic glaze. These bite-sized delights offer a refreshing burst of flavor and a touch of Italian charm to your meal.

Lemon Herb Couscous: Lemon Herb Couscous: Fluffy couscous infused with the bright flavors of lemon and fresh herbs. This light and aromatic side dish provides a perfect counterpoint to the rich, creamy chicken salad, making each bite a delightful experience.

Similar Recipes to Try

Classic Tuna Salad: Dive into a creamy blend of tuna, celery, and red onions mixed with a tangy mayonnaise and dijon mustard dressing. Perfect for sandwiches or a light meal.

Turkey Avocado Wrap: Wrap up your day with a delightful combination of sliced turkey, ripe avocado, tomatoes, and spinach all snugly wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. A healthy and satisfying option.

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: Enjoy a burst of flavors with chickpeas, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and feta cheese tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette. A refreshing and nutritious choice.

Shrimp Caesar Salad: Elevate your salad game with succulent grilled shrimp, crisp romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons all drizzled with a classic Caesar dressing. A seafood twist on a timeless favorite.

Appetizer and Dessert Ideas to Complement Chicken Salad

Appetizers:

Stuffed Mushrooms: Transform your next gathering with these delectable stuffed mushrooms. Imagine plump mushroom caps filled with a savory mixture of cream cheese, garlic, and finely chopped herbs. The breadcrumbs on top add a delightful crunch, while a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese brings a rich, nutty flavor. These bite-sized delights are perfect for any occasion, offering a burst of flavor in every mouthful.

Bruschetta: Elevate your appetizer game with a classic bruschetta. Start with slices of toasted baguette, rubbed with a hint of garlic. Top each slice with a vibrant mix of diced tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The combination of the crunchy bread and the juicy, flavorful topping creates a perfect harmony that will leave your guests craving more.

Desserts:

Chocolate Mousse: Indulge in a rich and creamy chocolate mousse that melts in your mouth. This decadent treat is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. The velvety texture combined with the intense chocolate flavor creates a luxurious experience. Garnish with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of elegance.

Lemon Tart: Delight in a zesty lemon tart that offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The buttery crust complements the smooth, citrusy filling, making it a refreshing end to any meal. Top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few lemon zest curls to enhance its visual appeal and flavor.

Why trust this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe:

This recipe is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it a delightful choice for any meal. The combination of chicken, scallions, and red pepper provides a fresh and vibrant taste, while the mayonnaise and greek yogurt create a creamy base. The addition of water chestnuts and almonds adds a satisfying crunch. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe is both accessible and delicious, ensuring a reliable and enjoyable dish every time.

Share your thoughts on this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe in the Recipe Sharing forum and let us know if you have any tips or variations to make it even better!

FAQ:

How can I make this chicken salad healthier?

You can make this chicken salad healthier by using a low-fat or light mayonnaise and reducing the amount of almonds. You could also add more veggies like celery or cucumber for extra crunch and nutrients.

Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie chicken works great in this recipe. Just shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces before mixing it with the other ingredients.

How long will this chicken salad last in the fridge?

This chicken salad should last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. Just give it a good stir before serving again.

Can I substitute the water chestnuts with something else?

Yes, you can substitute the water chestnuts with chopped celery or even apples for a different texture and flavor. Both options will still give you that nice crunch.

Is there a dairy-free option for this recipe?

To make this recipe dairy-free, you can skip the Greek yogurt and use a dairy-free mayonnaise. There are plenty of good dairy-free mayo options available in stores.