Healthy Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
This Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad is a healthier twist on the classic chicken salad! Made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo, it’s perfect for a light lunch or as a filling snack.
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Using Greek Yogurt in Chicken Salad
Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad is a light take on the classic chicken salad, replacing mayonnaise with protein-rich Greek yogurt. The dish starts with cooked chicken breasts that are either shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces, forming the base of the salad.
The dressing is simple, made by blending plain Greek yogurt with a touch of mustard (Dijon works better), lime juice, and zest to brighten the dish.
This combination gives the salad a creamy texture without the heaviness of the mayo-based version.
I add crunch with finely chopped celery and fresh onion, along with fresh parsley and mint. For a touch of sweetness, I love to toss in a few chopped apples, peaches, or grapes.
If I have them, I like to add a few chopped nuts (whatever is available in my pantry), for instance, walnuts, pine nuts, or almonds. But you can skip them if you don’t love nuts.
Once everything is mixed, I season with the Greek yogurt-based seasoning made with olive oil, dried oregano, sweet paprika, salt, pepper, and -of course- yogurt.
This is a super-easy salad for summer, even tastier if chilled for a little while before serving. I like to add a good quantity of mixed greens, but you can even skip the lettuce and serve the salad in a sandwich or wrap it in a tortilla for a quick meal.
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Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cooked chicken breasts (or thighs) shredded or chopped
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (0 % or 2% fat for a lighter version)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (or any mustard type you have at home).
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 stalk celery finely chopped
- ½ fresh onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- mint a few leaves
- lettuce or mixed greens
- ¼ cup green apples (or grapes, or peaches) chopped (optional, for sweetness)
- ¼ cup walnuts or almonds (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano to taste
- 1 tsp sweet paprika (or smoked paprika)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss in the fresh mixed greens.
- In a different bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, Dijon mustard, lime juice and zest, oregano, and paprika
- Add the chopped celery, onion, mint and parsley. Mix to combine evenly.
- And the apples (or other fruit you're using) and combine the chicken, Stir until the chicken is well coated.
- Season with more dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve as a salad, use it in a sandwich, or wrap it in a tortilla.
Nutrition
Tips and Alternatives
- Chicken options
You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or even grilled chicken for added flavor and convenience.
- Yogurt variations
If you prefer a creamier salad, use full-fat Greek yogurt. For a lighter version, use low-fat or fat-free yogurt.
- Add more veggies
For extra crunch, you can include ingredients like chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, or carrots.
- Herb variations
Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, basil, or chives for different flavor profiles. Basil and mint are my favorite!
- Sweet variations
If you don’t have grapes or apples, raisins or dried cranberries can be used for a sweet touch. But you can get even more creative and use watermelon, figs, or strawberries.
- Nuts
If you don’t like walnuts or almonds, feel free to use sunflower seeds or any other nuts you enjoy for crunch.
This Greek yogurt chicken salad is a fantastic, lighter alternative to the classic mayo chicken salad. It’s also perfect for meal prep, and it can be served in so many ways, like a sandwich, a wrap, as a side dish, or in a bowl as a whole meal
Looking for more Greek Yogurt recipes? Check these:
- Peanut Butter and Greek Yogurt Cheesecake
- Greek Yogurt Chocotorta Remix
- Greek Yogurt Tiramisu
- Banana Bread with Greek Yogurt, Chocolate Chips, and Walnuts
- Greek Style Avocado Spread
- Super Easy Greek Yogurt Dip for Veggies
- Greek Yogurt Oatmeal
- Greek Yogurt Parfait
- Greek Yogurt Ice Cream
- Greek Yogurt Vanilla Cake
- Gluten-Free Cake with Greek Yogurt and Almonds
- Greek Yogurt and Lemon Cake
- Fluffy Greek Yogurt Pancakes
- Greek Yogurt Marinade for Perfectly Grilled Meats
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Chocolate Mousse
- Greek Yogurt Muffins
- Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Recipe
- Greek Yogurt Popsicles
- 10 Delicious Greek Yogurt Recipes for a Fresh, Healthy Twist
- Delicious Greek Salad Dressing That You Must Have in Your Fridge (+ 7 Tasty Variations)
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Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Recipe
Gabi Ancarola
Gabi is a travel writer who has lived in Crete for over a decade. Through her blog, Crete Insider, she has helped travelers uncover local experiences. Passionate about food and Cretan cuisine, she now attends Greek cooking lessons to bring the island’s flavors straight to your kitchen!
>> Interested in learning to cook in Crete, or discovering all of the top spots to eat in Chania and around the island? Book a food tour or plan your trip with me.
