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    Home » Chicken

    Healthy Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Dill

    Published: Jul 23, 2019 · Modified: Aug 3, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    571 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Try a healthy chicken salad that's perfect for a light and easy lunch. This healthy chicken salad is made with a delicious Greek yogurt dressing. 

    Try a healthy chicken salad that's perfect for a light and easy lunch. This healthy chicken salad is made with a delicious Greek yogurt dressing. 

    I love having light salads for lunch because they're so simple and easy to make. Some of my favorite lunch salads are Mediterranean tuna salad, Greek salmon salad and coucous salad. This chicken salad recipe made with walnuts and dill is another good lunch recipe because it's quite flavorful and fresh.

    This post is sponsored by California Walnuts. All opinions are mine. 

    Table Of Contents:
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredients
    • Walnuts in chicken salad 
    • Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving suggestion
    • Notes and tips
    • More Chicken Recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    Why this recipe works

    This light chicken salad is the perfect option for a healthy and quick lunch. Iyt's made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo and is packed with fresh flavors. The addition of walnuts makes this a perfect lunch since walnuts are packed with nutrients and also add crunch to the salad. 

    I love this no mayo chicken salad because"

    • It takes only a few minutes to prepare (you can even take a shortcut).
    • You can add your favorite ingredients to it, it's easily customizable.
    • It's packed with fresh vegetables and is actually good for you.
    • It's light and healthy since it uses yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
    three slices of bread topped with chicken sandwich

    Ingredients

    • Chicken breast: You can either cook a chicken breast or use leftovers. If you're in a pinch, use a rotisserie chicken.
    • Red onion and celery: This combination adds a nice flavor to the salad. It's best to chop the onion finely and use crisp celery stalks.
    • Walnuts: For some crunch and health benefits.
    • Herbs: You need fresh dill, green onions and tarragon.
    • Raisins: For some sweetness and flavor balance.

    To make my favorite yogurt sauce for chicken salad, you need the following ingredients: 

    • Yogurt: Make sure the yogurt you're using is plain and not flavored. Try my instant pot yogurt recipe for a homemade version.
    • Dijon mustard: Just a little bit adds a lot of flavor.
    • Spices: I suggest using smoked paprika, cumin and salt.
    To make light chicken salad you need shredded chicken, walnuts, vegetables, celery and onion.

    Walnuts in chicken salad 

    Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which would make them a good addition to any lunch. What I love about walnuts is that they are incredibly versatile and you can use them in different recipes. You can grind them with spices to make plant-based meat or simply add them to smoothies or simply add them to any salad for a bit of crunch. Some of my favorite walnut recipes are marinated olives with walnuts, stuffed eggplants and Persian pomegranate walnut stew called fesenjan.   

    Instructions

    • Bake the chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat it with non stick spray. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper on both sides and place it on the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until it's fully cooked and the internal temperature registers at 165°F. Let the chicken cool completely and then shred it using two forks. Alternatively, you can make instant pot poached chicken.
    • Mix the chicken salad: Chop all the ingredients including red onion, walnuts, dill, green onions and celery. Mix all the ingredients together and set aside. 
    • Make the dressing: In a bowl or a measuring cup, mix yogurt, dijon mustard, paprika, cumin and salt. Add a little bit of lemon juice to balance the acidity and then mix the dressing with the chicken salad. Cool in the fridge for a few minutes before serving. 
    Mix chicken, walnuts, celery, raisin, dill and onion in a bowl and add the dressing.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make this salad in advance?

    Yes you can make this chicken salad ahead of time. However, I suggest you mix in the dressing right before serving to make sure it's absolutely creamy and delicious. It's best you prepare the chicken and chop the veggies beforehand and store them properly, mixing them right before serving would be easy and the salad will taste very fresh. 

    How long does this healthy chicken salad keep?

    Yogurt chicken salad can keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Since this chicken salad has fresh ingredients, I suggest you consume within 48 hours to avoid wilted raisins and veggies. After 48 hours, chicken salad is still edible but may not look as fresh as it does on the first day. 

    Can I use any other herbs in this salad?

    Yes, you can use parsley, cilantro or thyme to add more flavor to this salad.

    How to store the leftovers?

    Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This salad cannot be frozen since it would lose its texture and flavor.

    you can serve chicken salad on the lettuce leaves.

    Serving suggestion

    This salad is a complete meal on its own and there are a few ways you can serve it. Here are some ideas:

    • Serve it with romaine or butter lettuce and make a lettuce wrap. 
    • Top toasted French bread with cold Greek yogurt chicken salad to have an open faced sandwich. 
    • Make a sandwich using some whole wheat sandwich bread or ciabatta.
    • Serve with your favorite crackers or pita chips. 
    • Stuff a pita pocket and add some greens such as lettuce or arugula for a healthy chicken salad sandwich. You can also make a wrap using my homemade lavash.
    • Simply enjoy it on its own with a big spoon! 
    healthy chicken salad made with Greek yogurt served with a spoon

    Notes and tips

    • You can use rotisserie chicken instead of chicken breast to save time. Simply shred a rotisserie chicken and mix it with the other ingredients. If using more than one or two chicken breasts, you might need to increase the amount of the other ingredients and the yogurt dijon dressing. 
    • Tarragon is optional for this recipe, however, if you find it in your local supermarket, don't skip it since it makes the salad very aromatic. 
    • To make healthy chicken salad recipe with Greek yogurt, I usually use 1% yogurt but you can also use whole milk yogurt or non fat yogurt as well. 
    • You can add other vegetables to this salad such as chopped bell pepper or avocados. 

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Halal cart chicken and rice recipe.
      Halal Cart Chicken and Rice
    • Easy Balsamic Chicken Recipe
    • Pomegranate Chicken, Persian Style (Morgh Nardooni)
    • Chicken Stew Recipe - Turkish Style

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Healthy chicken salad with walnuts and dill

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    A healthy chicken salad that's perfect for a light and easy lunch. This healthy chicken salad is made with a delicious Greek yogurt dressing. 

    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 429 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb chicken breast see notes
    • ½ red onion chopped
    • 1 cup walnuts chopped
    • ½ cup fresh dill chopped
    • 1 cup green onions chopped
    • ¼ cup fresh tarragon chopped
    • 5 stalks celery chopped
    • ½ cup raisins optional

    Greek yogurt dijon dressing

    • ½ cup Greek yogurt
    • 2 tablespoon dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400F, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat it with non stick spray.
    • Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken breast and place it on the baking sheet.
    • Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until the internal temperature registers at 165F.
    • Let the chicken breast cook and then shred it using two forks.
    • Place the shredded chicken in a bowl and add in chopped red onion and walnuts.
    • Add in fresh dill, green onions, tarragon, celery and raisins (if using). Mix all the ingredients together.
    • To make the dressing, mix Greek yogurt, dijon mustard, paprika, cumin and salt in a bowl.
    • Mix the dressing with the chicken salad. Taste and add more salt if needed.

    Notes

    • Use red grapes instead of raisins if you're not a fan of raisins. 
    • For a sweeter sauce, use honey dijon instead of dijon. 
    • If you like your chicken salad creamier, double the dressing recipe. 
    • You can use rotisserie chicken instead of chicken breast to save time or make instant pot poached chicken.
    • Serve the salad as is, on lettuce or as a sandwich using pita or lavash bread.
    • To make healthy chicken salad recipe with Greek yogurt, I usually use 1% yogurt but you can also use whole milk yogurt or non fat yogurt as well. You can also make your own yogurt using my instant pot yogurt recipe. 
    • You can add other vegetables to this healthy chicken salad such as chopped bell pepper or avocados. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 429kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 34gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 573mgPotassium: 1102mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1218IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 161mgIron: 4mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
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    571 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandi G

      July 26, 2021 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      This chicken salad was so good at our picnic!

      Reply
    2. Hanna

      July 26, 2021 at 6:45 am

      5 stars
      I love this healthier version with yogurt instead of mayo. So yummy!

      Reply
    3. Beth

      August 10, 2019 at 3:26 pm

      5 stars
      Wonderful salad and great idea for taking some time to enjoy some 'me time'! I too, love salads for lunch and I too could use some time away from a screen - this salad is just what I need!

      Reply
    4. Krissy Allori

      August 10, 2019 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      Dill for the win in this dish!!

      Reply
    5. Andrea Metlika

      August 10, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      The Yogurt sauce in this flavorful chicken salad sounds delicious.

      Reply
    6. susan | the wimpy vegetarian

      August 10, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      I love all the herbs you used! The flavors of this chicken salad must really pop!! What a perfect quick lunch!

      Reply
    7. Dannii

      August 10, 2019 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      Anything with dill in is good with me! This looks lovely and light.

      Reply

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    571 shares