This healthy chicken salad recipe has all of the nostalgia of the classic with NO MAYO and a Mediterranean-style twist. Use rotisserie chicken and it’s ready to go in 10 minutes. No one will be the wiser! Make yourself a big batch to eat all week long.
This healthy chicken salad recipe is hearty, flavorful, and packs a nice fresh crunch. Thanks to rotisserie chicken it's so easy to make and just as easy to enjoy no matter what the day holds. Eat this healthy chicken salad straight out of the bowl, spoon it over a Lettuce Salad, or stuff it into Pitas for sandwiches on the go. When it comes to chicken salad that’s good and good for you, this one is my go to!
I'll be the first to admit that a rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver for busy moms, and I’m not ashamed to say I regularly put it to good use in recipes like Avgolemono Soup and this healthy chicken salad. Just like my sexy cabbage rebrand, I’m pushing for a new take on the rotisserie chicken! In truth, it’s a charcoal-grilled, spit-roasted, slow-roasted chicken that you can buy at the store. How sexy is that?!
To make this salad, I simply combine fresh herbs, sun dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts with a zippy Dijon dressing to pull it all together. This is not a shy chicken salad, it’s a chicken salad with Mediterranean flair and that’s what I like about it!
It’s on my table in 10 minutes, and leftovers turn into a healthy meal waiting for me and my family in my fridge. Is that a shortcut, or is that winning at life? This is a work smarter not harder situation, which is what everyone needs when it comes to putting a nutritious dinner on the table.
Table of Contents
Healthy Chicken Salad Ingredients
You’re well aware of rotisserie chicken’s starring role in this no-mayo recipe, but what other surprises are in store? A handful of pantry staples that are all easy to source! Here’s what you’ll need to make this Mediterranean-style healthy chicken salad:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Used to dress the salad. Go for an olive oil that’s flavorful and smooth, like our buttery and delicious Italian Nocellara.
- Lemon: Both the zest and juice add acidity to lighten the rich chicken salad.
- Garlic: Minced garlic flavors the dressing, adding a kick. I use 1-2 cloves, but if you’re a garlic lover my hat goes off to you. Add garlic to your heart’s desire.
- Dijon mustard: The star of the dressing, Dijon adds a velvety quality and punchiness.
- Sumac: A household spice in the Mediterranean that adds a brightness. The flavor is similar to citrus zest but with no bitterness. Order sumac from our shop, find it at select grocery stores, or substitute with lemon zest.
- Paprika: Sweet or smoked paprika both give a very subtle kick and depth of flavor. Use sweet for a milder flavor.
- Cooked chicken: Boil and shred chicken breast, or save some time with a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
- Shallot: Adds a mild, sweet onion flavor. You can substitute with green onions or red onions.
- Crunchy things: Celery and walnuts add crunch and flavor.
- Mediterranean flavor-makers: Canned artichoke hearts and sundried tomatoes add bursts of distinctly Mediterranean flavor.
- Parsley: Adds freshness. Look for flat-leaf Italian parsley, as it tends to be less bitter and more flavorful than its curly cousin.
- Salt and pepper: Add all the bold seasonings in the world and this healthy chicken salad would be flat without salt and pepper. They make the other ingredients shine and stand out. Season to taste to enhance the flavors.
How to Make this Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
Though the flavors start to come out after 30 minutes of resting, 10 minutes and a couple of bowls is all you need to make this easy chicken salad recipe. Start with the dressing:
- Make the dressing. In a medium mixing bowl, add ⅓ cup olive oil, 1-2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of Dijon, 1 teaspoon sumac, and ½ teaspoon paprika. Zest in 1 lemon, then juice in 2 lemons. Whisk well to combine.
- Combine the salad ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add 12 ounces of cooked and shredded chicken. Add 1-2 chopped shallots and 2 chopped celery stalks. Drain and chop 1 (15 ounce) can of marinated artichoke hearts and add, along with 1-2 ounces of chopped sundried tomatoes. Add a packed cup of chopped parsley and ⅓ cup of chopped walnuts. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper.
- Dress the salad. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or 1 hour for the best flavor, or serve right away if you’re hungry!
How Long Will Chicken Salad Last in the Fridge?
Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for 2 to 3 nights. If you are meal prepping and want it to last a day or two longer, you can prepare the chicken salad but hold the dressing. Store the dressing in the fridge separately until you are ready to serve.
Ways to Mix it Up
You can also change up this Mediterranean chicken salad recipe and make it your own. Here are a few ideas:
- Wrap it up. Make chicken salad sandwiches with your favorite bread. Or, serve as chicken salad lettuce wraps! This is a great low-carb option, using lettuce leaves to hold the chicken. Small lettuce cups, like little gems or endive spears, can also make for a great appetizer.
- Use olives in place of artichoke hearts. Or in addition to, to add an extra layer of briny goodness.
- Get herby. Swap, add, or combine basil, dill, and/or cilantro in place of parsley.
- Add healthy buttery sweetness. Use roasted garlic instead of or in addition to fresh garlic.
- Give it a Sicilian twist. Throw in a handful of raisins for a hint of sweetness.
- Make it even tangier and creamier. Add a spoon or two of Greek yogurt to the salad dressing.
What to Serve with Healthy Chicken Salad
Packed with protein, texture, and flavor, this salad stands on its own. It’s an especially packable and delicious lunch recipe. For dinner, you may want to add a few sides. Italian Oven Roasted Vegetables are comforting and won’t try to compete with the chicken salad’s big flavor. Or, for a lighter dinner, go for a crunchy and bright Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad.
If you’re packing for a festive picnic party, throw the ingredients for a refreshing pitcher cocktail like Agua De València in a big tote bag. Grab some ice and mix it up at the park. Serve alongside this healthy chicken salad and more reimagined picnic fare, like Mediterranean Cucumber Sandwiches and Greek Salad Skewers.
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Healthy Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the Dijon Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lemons
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Chicken Salad
- ¾ lb (12 oz.) cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 to 2 shallots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 (15 oz.) can marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 to 2 ounces sundried tomatoes, chopped
- Handful (about 1 cup packed) fresh Italian parsley, chopped
- ⅓ cup shelled walnuts, chopped
- Salt
- Back pepper
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Into a small mixing bowl, add the olive oil, zest and juice of one lemon, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, sumac and paprika. Whisk to combine and taste. Add the juice from the second lemon, if desired.
- Mix the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shallots, celery, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, parsley, and walnuts. Season with a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper.
- Dress the salad: Pour dressing over the chicken salad, toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately. Or, for best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
Video
Notes
- Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for 2 to 3 nights.
- If you are meal prepping and want it to last a day or two longer, hold the dressing. Store the dressing in the fridge separately until you are ready to serve.
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
Nutrition
*This post first appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2019 and has been recently updated with new information and media for readers' benefit.
What could you substitute in place of the sumac?
Hi, Lillian. There really is no good substitute for sumac as it is very unique. However, if you omit the sumac and kinda compensate with adding a touch more of the other spices, this recipe will still be tasty. By the way, we have sumac available right here in our online shop :).
I would recommend having a big bowl of this in the fridge all summer long! Without a doubt the best chicken salad I have ever made or tasted. I subbed olives for artichokes because I had them and followed the recipe. Try it!
Absolutely delicious and so easy to make!!
This was soooooo good! Perfect combo of tang from the lemon and sweetness from the sundried tomatoes. I did add some crumbled feta because...well, as you say- feta makes everything betta. Will def make again!
Yes! Feta definitely takes this to another level :). So glad you enjoyed it!
Where do you add the olive oil?
Hi, Tucker! You add the olive with the other salad dressing ingredients and mix it together.
Your recipes are real taste to the buds and straight to the point and so many tips you shared genuinely on Mediterranean dishes🙏🏻 thank you.
The perfect anytime meal! Easy to make, delicious and you’ll have most ingredients on hand.
This was amazing … I like it served on crackers. But straight of the fork works too 🙂
Delicious & different, had left over smoked chicken legs, due to lack of ingredients substituted white vinegar for sumac & spicy brown whole seed mustard for dijon. Everyone that tasted had complimentary comments!
Will make again
Wonderful! Thanks so much for taking the time to review!
The nutrition info seems incomplete. Total fat?
Hi, Karen. We calculate the nutritional information by inputting all the ingredients/amounts in a special computer program. These are all the numbers we got when we first entered this recipe, but we'll take another look.
Just made this with some extra chicken breasts I had. My family & I loved it and
every last bit was eaten, even though I was concerned I had made too much!
Love the clean, light, bright flavors of this chicken salad compared to those made with Mayo. Will definitely make this again and again!
Just made your chicken salad without mayo...and it made a lot! We really
L enjoyed the slightly lemony taste and fresh flavors. Suzy, you're fantastic!
I prepared this salad minus the sumac, as I wasn't home but at my sister's, and we both thouroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely make it again with the complete list of ingredients!
Haven’t tried this yet, I’m going to …. Suggestion for this website: It would be nice as I’m glancing through these recipes to somehow mark the recipes as “Want to Try” & “Make Again!”
Hi, Donna! Thanks so much for that suggestion! We'll look into it. In the meantime, you are able to "favorite" recipes by hitting the heart that pops up on the right side of the screen when viewing them.
Suzy! I made this for first time for a potluck with friends and the result was amazing!!!! This recipe is a 5 star!!! The combination of flavors is fantastic !!! Thanks for sharing!!
My pleasure, Lucia! So glad you enjoyed it!
Do you know if this will freeze well? I am going to be going on a trip and would love to make this and freeze individual serving sizes that I can just thaw and eat. What do you think?
Hi, Nikki. We've never tried freezing this one, so I'm not sure. I'd worry that it might affect the taste/texture in a not so great way.