Keto Chicken Salad

Name: Keto Chicken Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded); 1/2 cup celery (diced); 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped); 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste

By Anna AlleeAug 26, 2024Jump to Recipe

Deliciously creamy, slightly sweet and savory in every bite.

Table of Contents

Sometimes, a chicken salad sandwich is so good that you have to leave behind the bread and grab a spoon. Seriously, the main event is the chicken salad, so why bother with the extra carbs? And that’s exactly why I have put together this creamy, crunchy, and sweet keto chicken salad. It’s the perfect fuss-free lunch or dinner that will have you coming back for seconds (or thirds!). So whether you’re following a keto lifestyle or simply looking for a new filling and healthy meal, you’re in for a treat with keto chicken salad.

The great thing about this recipe is how creative you can be with your serving options. You can roll it in a wrap, place it in some lettuce leaves, or simply grab a spoon or fork and dig in! The cooked chicken brings your taste buds an abundance of juicy goodness. The Dijon mustard has a bold and tangy profile. The mayonnaise is creamy and rich, and the lemon juice has the perfect amount of acidity needed to balance it all out.

Is Keto Chicken Salad Healthy?

Keto chicken salad is a perfect low-carb, high protein meal. It’s a good meal choice for anyone on the keto diet or looking to improve muscle maintenance. As someone who likes to exercise a few times a week, I think this delicious recipe really helps me reach my protein goals. However, keto chicken salad is rather high in fat. Depending on dietary preferences, keto chicken salad may not be a great dish for everyone.

What type of chicken should you use for keto chicken salad?

If you want to make the healthiest version of keto chicken salad, look no further than using chicken breasts as your protein. Compared to other chicken options, chicken breast is lean and has the most protein by weight. If retaining juiciness is your main worry, chicken thighs are a great option, as they are more forgiving when overcooked. However, chicken thighs are higher in fat content. You could also grab a plain rotisserie chicken from your grocery store if you don’t wish to cook your chicken yourself, or even explore the canned chicken options available. And hey, don’t judge canned chicken! I often use it for buffalo chicken dip, and it’s always delicious.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix

Prepare the dressing and combine with chicken and veggies.

Season

Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

Enjoy immediately or chill for enhanced flavor.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

Keto chicken salad is a great meal to make ahead, so meal-preppers rejoice! Store it in an airtight container (or multiple if meal prepping) and leave it in your fridge for up to 1 week.

Chill the Salad

Whether you’re eating the chicken salad now or later, I recommend chilling the dish in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This allows the ingredients to settle and thicken and the flavors to mesh and improve. Plus, some even say the ultimate texture for keto chicken salad is after allowing it to chill.

Boil your chicken

When cooking your chicken ahead of time, I recommend using chicken breasts and boiling them on the stove. This is an easy cooking method when the plan is to shred the chicken. Boil a pot of water, gently drop your chicken breasts in, and allow them to cook for about 10 minutes. Or until the internal temperature of your chicken breasts is 165 degrees F.

Serving Suggestions

Keto chicken salad makes a mean dip! Serve it with gluten-free crackers, firecrackers, or veggie sticks would be incredible. If you’re not following a keto diet, you can always create a hearty sandwich with two slices of your favorite bread. Or spread some inside a gluten-free sun-dried tomato tortilla. If you’re more of a salad person, I think a little bit of keto chicken salad would be yummy on top of this cranberry kale salad. However you choose to serve it, I hope you enjoy this delectable keto chicken salad.

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