Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe with Avocado and Lemon Vinaigrette

Enjoy a creamy, fresh, protein-packed Healthy Chicken Salad made with tender cooked chicken, Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and sliced almonds. It’s a simple, satisfying lunch or meal-prep option you’ll return to again and again.

Everyone needs a reliable chicken salad recipe, and this Healthy Chicken Salad delivers bright flavor and satisfying texture without being heavy. Tender shredded or diced chicken mixes with crisp celery, juicy red grapes, sliced almonds, green onions, and fresh parsley. The dressing uses plain Greek yogurt with Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, celery seed and seasonings to keep the salad light while boosting protein content. It’s ideal for quick lunches, easy meal prep, potlucks, or a no-fuss dinner.

Why You’ll Love This

• Lighter and higher in protein – Greek yogurt replaces mayonnaise for a creamy texture with more protein and fewer calories.
• Fast to make – ready in minutes when you use pre-cooked chicken like rotisserie or leftover chicken breasts.
• Perfect for meal prep – holds up well in the refrigerator for several days, making lunches effortless throughout the week.
• Customizable – easy to adapt with your preferred mix-ins, nuts, herbs, or a swap of protein.

Chicken Salad Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked chicken – shredded or chopped. Rotisserie chicken is ideal for convenience and flavor.
• 2 stalks celery – diced, for crunch.
• 1 cup red grapes – halved; they add a pleasant burst of sweetness. Alternatives: diced apples, dried cranberries or cherries.
• 3 green onions – sliced; or substitute red or white onion for a stronger bite.
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced almonds – toasted if desired for extra flavor. Other options: pecans, walnuts, or cashews.
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley – finely chopped. Fresh dill, tarragon, basil or cilantro also work well.
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt – the creamy base that replaces mayonnaise and adds protein.
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard – adds tang and depth.
• 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice – brightens the dressing; optional lemon zest for extra aroma.
• 1/2 tsp celery seed – a key flavor note for classic chicken salad taste.
• 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper – to season.

How to Make Healthy Chicken Salad

• Prepare the chicken. Shred or dice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Use two forks, a stand mixer paddle, or pre-shredded rotisserie chicken.
• Make the dressing. In a bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, celery seed, salt and pepper until smooth.
• Combine the salad. In a large bowl, stir together the chicken, diced celery, halved grapes, sliced almonds, green onions and parsley. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.
• Chill before serving. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30–60 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled.

How to Serve Chicken Salad

• Sandwiches – layer on whole grain bread, sourdough, or croissants with lettuce and tomato.
• Wraps or pitas – great for portable lunches.
• Lettuce wraps – serve in butter lettuce or romaine for a low-carb option.
• Over greens – add to a bed of spinach, arugula or mixed salad greens for a protein-packed meal.
• As a dip – pair with crackers, pita chips or raw vegetables for snacking.
• Right from the bowl – a simple, satisfying spoonful makes a great high-protein snack.

Substitutions and Variations

• Protein swap – substitute canned tuna for a healthy tuna salad variation.
• Extra vegetables – add cucumber, shredded carrots, bell pepper, or additional herbs.
• Pasta salad – stir in cooked elbow macaroni to turn this into a creamy pasta salad.
• Use mayo if preferred – replace the Greek yogurt with mayonnaise or sour cream for a richer dressing.
• Add cheese – crumbled feta or goat cheese brings a salty, tangy contrast.

How to Store Chicken Salad

Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–5 days. It tastes best chilled, so refrigerate for at least 30–60 minutes before serving. Keep it covered to preserve freshness and texture.

Recipe: Quick Reference

• Servings: 6
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 10 minutes (plus chilling)

Ingredients (concise list)

• 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 cup red grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced almonds
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp celery seed
• 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

Instructions (concise)

1. Combine chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, green onions and parsley in a large bowl.
2. Whisk Greek yogurt, Dijon, lemon juice, celery seed, salt and pepper in a separate bowl. Pour over chicken mixture and stir to combine.
3. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Enjoy on bread, in a wrap, on greens, or with crackers and fresh vegetables.

Nutrition (per serving)

Serving: 1/6 of recipe | Calories: 227 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.9 g | Protein: 41.4 g | Fat: 5.1 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 1,357 mg | Fiber: 0.7 g | Sugar: 7.2 g

Notes

This salad holds well in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3–5 days and is best served cold. Adjust mix-ins and seasonings to suit your taste preferences.

Related Recipes

• Chicken Cobb Salad
• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad
• Southwest Chicken Salad
• Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad
• Harvest Chopped Chicken Salad

Enjoy this healthy, flavorful chicken salad—perfect for meal prep, quick lunches, or a simple, nutritious dinner. If you recreate it, note any changes you make to tailor it to your taste.