Chicken Mayo Salad Recipe

Chicken Mayo Salad Recipe with step-by-step photos and a recipe video. Classic Chicken salad made with diced chicken tossed in creamy mayonnaise and Greek yogurt dressing. It is loaded with lots of fresh flavors, celery, onions, tomatoes, toasted almonds, and grapes!  The addition of Greek yogurt is a twist to make it a healthy chicken salad.

You can use this easy chicken salad recipe as a filling for making Chicken Mayo Sandwich. Or serve it over a bun or wrap it in a tortilla. It is the best summer salad recipe.

This chicken and mayonnaise salad is packed up with all the addictive flavors. Lemon juice gives refreshing flavors; red pepper flakes add a spicy kick, and honey balances both the tangy and spicy flavors.

About this recipe

The addition of Greek yogurt adds a healthy twist to this recipe. I have replaced half of the mayonnaise with Greek Yogurt to make this salad healthier. Greek Yogurt adds perfect creaminess and flavor to the salad.

• Quick & easy to make - Just toss the diced chicken with other salad ingredients. You can make this chicken salad within 15 minutes.
• Healthy - The salad is packed up with all the healthy ingredients. There is chicken (protein), fresh vegetables (fiber), almonds (healthy fats), and Greek Yogurt (calcium).
• Easy to customize – see the ingredient list below for alternative ingredients. This recipe is so versatile that you can add or skip the ingredients as per taste.
• Meal prep - You can cut the veggies ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stays good for a week. Additionally, cook chicken; let it cool down completely, and dice it. Transfer it to an airtight container and freeze it. The chicken stays good for a month.

Chicken Mayo Salad Ingredients

• Chicken - I have used boneless skinless chicken breast. You can also use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe. Here, I poached the chicken and then diced it. If you have leftover grilled chicken then dice it and use.
• Mayonnaise - It adds creaminess and flavor to the salad.
• Greek Yogurt - The addition of Greek Yogurt is completely optional. It makes the salad healthy. You can substitute it with the same quantity of mayonnaise.
• Vegetables - I have used onions, celery, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. They add fresh flavors, crunch & beautiful colors to the salad. You can add any summer vegetables of your choice.
• Grapes - You can substitute them with any other fruit like diced apples or avocados.
• Almonds - It adds a crunch to the salad and makes it healthy. You can add any other nuts like walnuts or skip it completely.
• Honey - The sweetness of honey balances the tangy flavor of lemon juice and the spiciness of red pepper flakes. To substitute it you can add brown sugar or maple syrup.
• Olive oil - This is the best choice for any salad dressing. Olive oil has great flavor & health benefits.
• Fresh Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice gives a refreshing tangy flavor to the taste buds. To substitute, you can add rice wine vinegar or fresh lime juice.
• Herbs - I have added fresh cilantro. You can skip it. Or add dill leaves or parsley.
• Italian seasoning - It adds a nice flavor to the salad. However, if you do not have it, skip it. You can make this chicken salad without it.
• Flavoring - Add salt, red pepper flakes, & black pepper powder as per taste. If you do not prefer a spicy salad or are making it for kids then skip red pepper flakes.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

How to make Chicken Salad with Mayo

Preparations

1. In a deep bottom pan, add 6-8 cups of water, salt, crushed black pepper, and chicken breast.
2. Cover and cook it on medium heat for 15 minutes or until the chicken breast is cooked.
3. Remove it to a plate. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
4. Dice the chicken and set it aside.

For salad dressing

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, black pepper powder, salt, mayonnaise, and Greek yogurt. Chicken mayo salad dressing is ready.

Making the chicken salad

1. Combine all the salad ingredients into the mixing bowl. Toss it well with the dressing.
2. Taste & adjust the seasoning. Add more salt, lemon juice & pepper as per taste.
3. Let it rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. It tastes best when served chilled.

Tips to Make the Best Chicken Salad

• You can use leftover grilled chicken instead of poached chicken for this recipe.
• While cooking chicken, make sure the quantity of water should be enough to cover the chicken breast.
• Lightly toast the almonds before adding them to the chicken salad.
• You can cut all the veggies in advance for meal prep. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays good for a week.
• Cook the chicken in advance for meal prep. Transfer it to an airtight container and freeze it. Stays good for a month.
• Adjust the seasoning as per taste.
• You can skip Italian seasoning if you do not have it.
• The addition of Greek Yogurt is completely optional. I have replaced a small quantity of mayonnaise with Greek Yogurt to make this salad healthier. You can skip the addition of Greek Yogurt and add the same quantity of mayonnaise to replace it.

Serving Suggestion

1. This chicken and mayo salad tastes best when served chilled.
2. You can make a sandwich by stuffing it inside bread or bun.
3. Make tacos.
4. Wrap it in a tortilla.

Storage suggestion

1. To refrigerate - Refrigerate the chicken salad immediately after making it. Stays good for 24 hours in the refrigerator.
2. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
3. To freeze - It is not a freezer-friendly dish. Mayo disintegrates once you thaw it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Variations that you can try

• Healthy chicken salad - Skip mayonnaise and make this chicken salad with Greek yogurt. Simply substitute the quantity of mayonnaise with Greek Yogurt. For this recipe, you need 1 cup of Greek yogurt.
• Add more greens - You can add some blanched broccoli to the salad.

More Chicken Salad Recipes

• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad
• Grilled Chicken Salad

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