Save Pin
This creamy Greek yogurt chicken salad has revolutionized my lunchtime routine with its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The tangy yogurt dressing coats tender chicken pieces, sweet grapes, and crunchy celery for a healthier twist on the classic that never sacrifices taste.
I first created this recipe when trying to find lighter lunch options that still satisfied my craving for creamy chicken salad. Now it's become my go to meal prep solution that disappears quickly whenever I serve it at family gatherings.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts provide the protein foundation and absorb all the flavors of the dressing. Look for organic or free range when possible for best flavor.
- Red grapes add natural sweetness and juicy bursts in each bite. Choose firm ones with vibrant color.
- Celery delivers essential crunch and freshness. Select crisp stalks with bright green color.
- Green onions contribute mild onion flavor without overpowering. The fresh green tops add nice color.
- Sliced almonds bring healthy fats and another texture dimension. Toasting them enhances their nutty flavor significantly.
- Plain nonfat Greek yogurt creates the creamy base with protein boost and tangy flavor. Use full fat version if preferred.
- Nonfat milk helps thin the dressing to perfect consistency. Any milk works here.
- Honey balances the tang of yogurt with subtle sweetness. Local honey offers additional flavor nuances.
- Kosher salt enhances all flavors. The coarser texture dissolves perfectly into the dressing.
- Black pepper adds gentle heat and complexity. Freshly ground makes a noticeable difference.
- Fresh dill provides that distinctive herbal brightness. Always use fresh rather than dried for this recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the chicken mixture.
- Combine your diced chicken, halved grapes, diced celery, sliced green onions, and toasted almonds in a large bowl. Each component should be cut to similar size for the perfect bite every time. The colorful mixture already looks appetizing before adding any dressing.
- Create the dressing.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, milk, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully incorporated. Take time to taste and adjust seasonings as this forms the flavor foundation of your salad. The consistency should be pourable but still thick enough to coat the ingredients.
- Combine and marry flavors.
- Pour the Greek yogurt dressing over the chicken mixture and gently fold everything together until each piece is evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix which can break down the textures. At this point taste again and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Chill for flavor development.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight if possible. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and develop complexity. The texture also improves as the dressing slightly firms up in the refrigerator.
- Finish with fresh herbs.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the fresh chopped dill over the chicken salad and gently fold it in. The bright green color and aromatic flavor add the perfect finishing touch to your creation.
- Serve in your preferred style.
- Enjoy as a sandwich filling, over salad greens, with crackers for scooping, or simply by itself. Each serving method highlights different aspects of the salad.
Save Pin
My personal favorite ingredient is the fresh dill which adds an herbal brightness that transforms the entire dish. I discovered this addition when my garden produced an abundance of dill one summer, and now I cannot imagine this salad without it. Even my dill skeptical husband admits it makes all the difference.
Storage Solutions
This chicken salad keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, making it perfect for meal planning. Store it in an airtight container to preserve freshness and prevent it from absorbing other refrigerator odors. I find glass containers work best as they dont retain any flavors from previous uses. As the salad sits, the flavors continue to develop and meld together, often tasting even better on day two. Give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute any moisture that may have separated.
Serving Suggestions
The versatility of this chicken salad makes it a meal planner's dream. For a light lunch, serve it over a bed of mixed greens with extra vegetables for added nutrition. Create elegant tea sandwiches by spreading it between thinly sliced cucumber rounds for a low carb option. For a heartier meal, stuff it into whole grain pita pockets with fresh spinach leaves. My personal favorite way to enjoy it is on toasted multigrain bread with sliced avocado and sprouts. For entertaining, hollow out small dinner rolls and fill them with the chicken salad for adorable slider style appetizers.
Healthy Adaptations
This recipe already represents a nutritious upgrade to traditional chicken salad, but you can customize it further to suit dietary needs. For extra protein, add chopped hard boiled eggs or a scoop of quinoa. Boost the vegetable content by mixing in diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or chopped cucumber. For those avoiding nuts, sunflower seeds or pepitas make excellent crunchy alternatives while adding healthy fats. The honey can be replaced with a touch of maple syrup or omitted entirely if you prefer less sweetness. For a dairy free version, substitute the Greek yogurt with a plant based alternative made from almond or coconut, though the flavor profile will change slightly.
Save Pin
Commonly Asked Questions
- → How long does Greek yogurt chicken salad keep in the refrigerator?
This Greek yogurt chicken salad will keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually develop and improve after a few hours of chilling.
- → Can I substitute the Greek yogurt with something else?
Yes, you can substitute the Greek yogurt with plain regular yogurt (though it will be less creamy), dairy-free yogurt alternatives, or even a mix of yogurt and mayonnaise if you want a richer flavor while still keeping it lighter than traditional chicken salad.
- → What are different ways to serve this chicken salad?
This versatile chicken salad can be served in multiple ways: as a sandwich filling on whole-grain bread or croissants, wrapped in lettuce leaves for a low-carb option, spooned over mixed greens for a protein-packed salad, used as a dip with crackers or cucumber slices, or simply enjoyed on its own.
- → Can I add other ingredients to this chicken salad?
Absolutely! This chicken salad is adaptable to many additions. Consider mixing in diced apples, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, pecans, avocado, cucumber, red onion instead of green onions, or even curry powder for a different flavor profile.
- → What's the best way to cook the chicken for this salad?
For the most flavorful chicken, you can poach boneless skinless chicken breasts in seasoned water or broth until cooked through (about 15 minutes), then cool and dice. Alternatively, you can use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or grill, bake, or steam the chicken before dicing it into half-inch cubes.
- → Is this chicken salad healthy?
Yes, this chicken salad is a healthier alternative to traditional versions. By using nonfat Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, it significantly reduces the fat content while boosting protein. The addition of grapes provides natural sweetness, celery adds fiber, and almonds contribute healthy fats and additional protein.