Chicken Salad with Yogurt is a lighter chicken salad. It’s also a low-carb meal in a lettuce wrap or makes a great sandwich too.
Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt is the perfect recipe for a warm summer day, a healthier lunch, or a fresh delicious way to use up leftovers.
Up until now, I haven’t shared a lot of salad recipes like this light chicken salad recipe. The reason is that John has a major aversion to mayonnaise.
I grew up eating chicken salad sandwiches, ham salad, and egg salad, but once I married “his highness” I thought those days were over.
I bought a large package of boneless-skinless chicken breasts when they were on sale. Usually, I’ll do this and put them in smaller packages before freezing them but didn’t get that done this time. So, when I thawed them we grilled up the entire package with just a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
We had a delicious chicken dinner but I had to get strategic using the rest of the leftovers. This Chicken salad no mayo recipe was a great choice!
Chicken Salad Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Yogurt
- Celery
- Craisins
- Walnuts
- Parmesan cheese
- thyme
- green onion
- garlic powder
- lemon juice
- S&P
I’m really picky about chicken salad for some reason. It has to have distinct flavors and maybe that’s why I like Chicken Salad with Yogurt. The thyme is a great contrast to the sweetness of the Craisins (dried cranberries).
The texture is a thing with me too. Some salads are really kind of mushy. This no mayo chicken salad uses diced chicken, crunchy celery, walnuts, and fresh green onion and just enough yogurt to tie it all together. Not bathe in it.
Can you substitute yogurt for mayo?
Lastly, I want my food to taste good and even though I don’t prescribe to a particular kind of diet, health is important to me. I know how easy that darned extra 5 pounds you’d like to lose turns into 10. Yogurt can be substituted for mayonnaise one to one as in this lighter chicken salad. It’s delicious and helps keep the calories down. We really don’t miss the mayo.
No bread keeps it low-carb too. Use lettuce as a wrap or cut celery and use them as scoops. Your body will thank you for the extra fiber.
Rolling this salad in a tortilla or stuffing it in a pita is perfect for lunch. Make them the night before and just grab them on the way to work. Kiddos love wraps, and who doesn’t love a picnic? Does wine go with this no mayo wrap? Definitely, a nice chilled white is what I’d choose.
What should I serve with chicken salad?
I would serve a very minimal side, a simple dessert or just a cool beverage. Here are a few ideas:
Don’t forget to pin this delicious recipe to your favorite board!
Variation ideas:
- Replace thyme with dill or other herbs
- Exchange Parmesan with Asiago cheese
- Use Rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own
- I use Greek yogurt in this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite variety
- Cut sandwich bread and cut into quarters for finger sandwiches
- Serve with a pita, tortilla, bread or with pieces of celery
You may need some of my favorite gadgets to make this Chicken Salad with Yogurt:
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- Cutting Boards – I use these cutting boards when I want to put my cutting board into the dishwasher, such as when cutting cooked meat.
- Wooden cutting boards are better on your knives. I’ll use this cutting board for fresh veggies and making salads.
No fibbing, I love this recipe using leftover chicken. Here are a few more that we really like!
- Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip
- Chicken Pasta Salad
- Chicken Pear Salad with Goat Cheese
- Julienned Zucchini Noodles with Chicken Meatballs
You’ll be glad to know that “his highness” loves this Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt recipe.
Chicken Salad with Yogurt
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced chicken I used leftover grilled chicken
- 1/4 cup celery thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Craisins
- 1 green onion sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup walnuts chopped
- 1 cup Greek yogurt I used 2% but any is fine
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp thyme I used dried but fresh is great too
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix the chicken, celery, craisins, green onion, and walnuts together.
- In a separate bowl mix the greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together.
- Combine the ingredients of the two bowls together.
- Store covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
What is your favorite salad recipe? I hope you’ll give this easy Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt a try and let me know what you think. If you make changes, please share! Our community loves ideas and I love your inspiration!
This Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad is a light meal. Here are a couple more recipes that will keep it light!
- Apple Pear Salad with Lemon Poppyseed
- Mexican Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad with Honey Jalapeno Dressing
- Country Captain Chicken Recipe
- Healthy Cream of Roasted Vegetable Soup
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for spending some time with me today!
Jennifer A Stewart says
Chicken salad is so amazing and I love the fact that yogurt is used. I love the creaminess and not all those extra calories from the mayo!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Jennifer!
Deb Clark says
Love using dill in this recipe, it gives it such a unique flavor. One of our favorite recipes!!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Deb!
Nikki says
My daughter and I had these for lunch yesterday! We loved it! I had it over a bed of lettuce and she enjoyed it in a spinach wrap! So delicious!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Nikki! Glad you enjoyed it.
Kathy says
I made this chicken salad for a ladies luncheon yesterday and it was a huge hit! I am so glad I triple the recipe because my husband could not have enough of it! This is a winner for sure!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you!
debi at Life Currents says
I love that you’ve lightened up the classic chicken salad. My husband loves this for a lunch, so I’ll be making your version soon.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Debi! It makes a great lunch!
Healing Tomato says
It looks so inviting and delicious. I don’t normally use mayo in my sandwiches, but, your recipe is making me rethink it. Must try it now.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Rini! We don’t use mayo either and love the tang of the yogurt!
Lisa Hitzeman says
I absolutely LOVE creamy chicken salad! I could east the whole batch myself!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you!
Sandra Shaffer says
I just started adding a little mayo to my foods, but I still prefer yogurt in its place. This is a great salad to take on a picnic and I love the variations you show. I eat chicken salad over lettuce or in half an avocado. My husband like his sandwich style!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you! I thought about the avocado too and that sounds amazing!
Judith Graber says
I enjoy chicken salad and I use to serve it in small carved melon halves. Need to make it again and your recipe is a good place to start. I too have been replacing mayo/sour cream with Fage 2% (Ina’s favorite). I like Greek yogurt a lot; the added thickness, tangy taste and healthy aspects of it.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Judi! Serving it in a melon would be an amazing idea for a shower or just a little sweetness and additional melon flavor. I hope you’re having an amazing summer. I’ve been thinking of you and need to go over and see the amazing things you’re dishing up!
Lola Osinkolu says
Love the fact that it’s healthy yet so amazing!
Lola Osinkolu says
and yet*
Julie Menghini says
I’m with you. Healthy can be yummy right?