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:
- 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
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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!
Miranda
Monday 22nd of May 2023
These sound really yummy! Was wondering... because i have a big can of canned chicken..how much canned chicken would be needed to equal the 2 cups of fresh? Would I use 2 cups still?
Julie Menghini
Monday 22nd of May 2023
Yes, you would still use 2 cups. Once you open the canned chicken just put family-sized portions in freezer containers for quick and easy recipes.
Jennifer A Stewart
Tuesday 2nd of July 2019
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
Friday 5th of July 2019
Thank you, Jennifer!
Deb Clark
Tuesday 2nd of July 2019
Love using dill in this recipe, it gives it such a unique flavor. One of our favorite recipes!!
Julie Menghini
Friday 5th of July 2019
Thank you, Deb!
Nikki
Tuesday 2nd of July 2019
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
Friday 5th of July 2019
Thank you, Nikki! Glad you enjoyed it.
Kathy
Sunday 30th of June 2019
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
Friday 5th of July 2019
Thank you!