Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Flavorful and Easy Recipe

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Looking for a tasty yet simple dish? Try my Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad! This recipe is packed with fresh flavors, healthy ingredients, and is super easy to make. With just a few key components like cooked chicken, Greek yogurt, and seasonal veggies, you can whip up a satisfying meal in no time. Let’s dive into the ingredients and get cooking so you can enjoy this delightful dish today!

Why I Love This Recipe

  1. Healthy and Creamy: The use of Greek yogurt makes this salad a healthier alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based chicken salads, while still providing a creamy texture.
  2. Quick to Prepare: With just 15 minutes of prep time, this salad is perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunch options.
  3. Versatile Ingredients: You can easily customize this salad by adding your favorite nuts, fruits, or even swapping out the chicken for turkey or tofu.
  4. Refreshing Flavor: The combination of fresh ingredients like grapes and lemon juice creates a refreshing flavor that’s perfect for any season.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

– 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

– 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

– 1/2 cup red grapes, halved

– 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

– 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

The main ingredients in my Greek yogurt chicken salad are simple and tasty. I start with cooked chicken breast, which I shred into bite-sized pieces. This chicken gives the salad its protein. I use plain Greek yogurt as a creamy base. It makes the salad rich without being heavy. Next, I add fresh vegetables. Finely chopped celery adds crunch. Halved red grapes bring sweetness. Diced red onion gives a bit of bite. Lastly, I toss in chopped walnuts for added texture and flavor.

Flavor Enhancers

– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

– 1 tablespoon honey

– 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For flavor, I mix in Dijon mustard, honey, and fresh lemon juice. The mustard adds a nice tang. Honey brings a touch of sweetness to balance it. Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish, making every bite refreshing. These flavor enhancers tie all the ingredients together, lifting the overall taste.

Optional Garnishes

– Fresh dill

– Fresh parsley

– Walnuts

I love to finish my salad with optional garnishes. Fresh dill or parsley adds a pop of color. They also give a fresh herb taste. I sometimes sprinkle extra walnuts on top. They not only look nice but add a bit more crunch. These garnishes make the Greek yogurt chicken salad even more appealing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Chicken

First, shred the cooked chicken breast. You can use a fork or your hands. Make sure the pieces are small and even. Next, combine the shredded chicken with plain Greek yogurt in a large mixing bowl. Stir until the chicken is well-coated with the yogurt. This gives your salad a creamy texture.

Mixing Ingredients

Now, add the chopped vegetables and walnuts to the bowl. Use 1/2 cup of finely chopped celery, 1/2 cup of halved red grapes, and 1/4 cup of finely diced red onion. Then, sprinkle in 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts for a nice crunch. Gently mix these ingredients together. Be careful not to break the grapes.

Next, prepare the dressing. In a smaller bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth.

Combining the Salad

Pour the dressing over the chicken salad mixture. Stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with fresh dill or parsley.

Tips & Tricks

Ensuring Flavor Balance

Adjusting the seasoning in your Greek yogurt chicken salad is key. Taste the salad before serving. Add more salt or pepper if needed. If you want more depth, try fresh herbs. Dill and parsley are great options. They brighten up the dish and add freshness.

Texture Considerations

To keep the grapes intact, be gentle when mixing. If you smash the grapes, it changes the salad’s look. For the veggies, use fresh celery and onion. This keeps their crunch. You want every bite to have a nice mix of textures.

Optimal Serving Suggestions

Pair this salad with light sides. It goes well with whole grain bread or a simple green salad. For a nice touch, serve it in a bowl with a sprinkle of herbs on top. This makes it visually appealing. A colorful presentation can make your meal even more inviting.

Pro Tips

  1. Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quicker option, use store-bought rotisserie chicken; it’s flavorful and saves time on cooking.
  2. Chill Before Serving: Allowing the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavors, making it more delicious.
  3. Experiment with Nuts: Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different texture and flavor in your salad.
  4. Add More Veggies: Incorporate additional veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch and nutrition.

Variations

Protein Alternatives

You can swap chicken for turkey in this salad. Turkey keeps it tasty and light. For a vegetarian twist, try using chickpeas. Just mash them slightly and mix them in. Chickpeas add a nice texture and protein.

Flavor Variations

Want to change up the taste? Add spices like curry powder for a warm kick. You can also toss in different fruits and nuts. Try diced apples or dried cranberries. Adding almonds or pecans gives a nice crunch.

Dietary Considerations

For those avoiding gluten, this salad is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure all your add-ins are also gluten-free. If you’re dairy-free, use a plant-based yogurt. Coconut yogurt works well and adds a hint of sweetness.

Storage Info

Refrigeration Guidelines

Store your Greek yogurt chicken salad in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and tasty. It can last in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want the best flavor, eat it sooner.

Freezing Recommendations

You can freeze Greek yogurt chicken salad, but it might change texture. If you try this, use a freezer-safe container. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight. This helps keep it safe and tasty.

Reviving Leftovers

If your salad looks a bit wilted, don’t worry! You can refresh it easily. Add a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Toss in some extra chopped celery or grapes for crunch. This makes your salad lively again before serving.

FAQs

Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?

Yes, you can use leftover rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds flavor. Just shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This makes the salad quick and easy to prepare. Leftover chicken works great for this dish.

How long does it take to prepare?

It takes about 15 minutes to prepare. After mixing, let it chill for 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend well. You can serve it right after, but chilling makes a big difference.

Is Greek yogurt healthier than mayonnaise?

Yes, Greek yogurt is healthier than mayonnaise.

Nutritional comparisons

Greek yogurt has less fat. It also has more protein than mayonnaise. A serving of Greek yogurt has about 10 grams of protein. Mayonnaise, on the other hand, has about 1 gram of protein per serving.

Health benefits of Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt supports gut health due to probiotics. It helps with digestion and boosts your immune system. It also keeps you feeling full longer, which helps with weight control.

In this article, we explored how to make a tasty Greek yogurt chicken salad. We covered the key ingredients, such as cooked chicken and fresh veggies. We shared simple steps to prepare and mix everything together for great flavor. We also discussed tips for perfect texture and storage advice to keep it fresh.

In closing, this salad is easy to customize and great for healthy meals. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and ingredients to make it your ow

- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped - 1/2 cup red grapes, halved - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced - 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped The main ingredients in my Greek yogurt chicken salad are simple and tasty. I start with cooked chicken breast, which I shred into bite-sized pieces. This chicken gives the salad its protein. I use plain Greek yogurt as a creamy base. It makes the salad rich without being heavy. Next, I add fresh vegetables. Finely chopped celery adds crunch. Halved red grapes bring sweetness. Diced red onion gives a bit of bite. Lastly, I toss in chopped walnuts for added texture and flavor. - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - 1 tablespoon honey - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice For flavor, I mix in Dijon mustard, honey, and fresh lemon juice. The mustard adds a nice tang. Honey brings a touch of sweetness to balance it. Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish, making every bite refreshing. These flavor enhancers tie all the ingredients together, lifting the overall taste. - Fresh dill - Fresh parsley - Walnuts I love to finish my salad with optional garnishes. Fresh dill or parsley adds a pop of color. They also give a fresh herb taste. I sometimes sprinkle extra walnuts on top. They not only look nice but add a bit more crunch. These garnishes make the Greek yogurt chicken salad even more appealing. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, shred the cooked chicken breast. You can use a fork or your hands. Make sure the pieces are small and even. Next, combine the shredded chicken with plain Greek yogurt in a large mixing bowl. Stir until the chicken is well-coated with the yogurt. This gives your salad a creamy texture. Now, add the chopped vegetables and walnuts to the bowl. Use 1/2 cup of finely chopped celery, 1/2 cup of halved red grapes, and 1/4 cup of finely diced red onion. Then, sprinkle in 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts for a nice crunch. Gently mix these ingredients together. Be careful not to break the grapes. Next, prepare the dressing. In a smaller bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth. Pour the dressing over the chicken salad mixture. Stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with fresh dill or parsley. Adjusting the seasoning in your Greek yogurt chicken salad is key. Taste the salad before serving. Add more salt or pepper if needed. If you want more depth, try fresh herbs. Dill and parsley are great options. They brighten up the dish and add freshness. To keep the grapes intact, be gentle when mixing. If you smash the grapes, it changes the salad's look. For the veggies, use fresh celery and onion. This keeps their crunch. You want every bite to have a nice mix of textures. Pair this salad with light sides. It goes well with whole grain bread or a simple green salad. For a nice touch, serve it in a bowl with a sprinkle of herbs on top. This makes it visually appealing. A colorful presentation can make your meal even more inviting. Pro Tips Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quicker option, use store-bought rotisserie chicken; it’s flavorful and saves time on cooking. Chill Before Serving: Allowing the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavors, making it more delicious. Experiment with Nuts: Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different texture and flavor in your salad. Add More Veggies: Incorporate additional veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch and nutrition. {{image_2}} You can swap chicken for turkey in this salad. Turkey keeps it tasty and light. For a vegetarian twist, try using chickpeas. Just mash them slightly and mix them in. Chickpeas add a nice texture and protein. Want to change up the taste? Add spices like curry powder for a warm kick. You can also toss in different fruits and nuts. Try diced apples or dried cranberries. Adding almonds or pecans gives a nice crunch. For those avoiding gluten, this salad is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure all your add-ins are also gluten-free. If you're dairy-free, use a plant-based yogurt. Coconut yogurt works well and adds a hint of sweetness. Store your Greek yogurt chicken salad in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and tasty. It can last in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want the best flavor, eat it sooner. You can freeze Greek yogurt chicken salad, but it might change texture. If you try this, use a freezer-safe container. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight. This helps keep it safe and tasty. If your salad looks a bit wilted, don’t worry! You can refresh it easily. Add a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Toss in some extra chopped celery or grapes for crunch. This makes your salad lively again before serving. Yes, you can use leftover rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds flavor. Just shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This makes the salad quick and easy to prepare. Leftover chicken works great for this dish. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare. After mixing, let it chill for 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend well. You can serve it right after, but chilling makes a big difference. Yes, Greek yogurt is healthier than mayonnaise. - Nutritional comparisons Greek yogurt has less fat. It also has more protein than mayonnaise. A serving of Greek yogurt has about 10 grams of protein. Mayonnaise, on the other hand, has about 1 gram of protein per serving. - Health benefits of Greek yogurt Greek yogurt supports gut health due to probiotics. It helps with digestion and boosts your immune system. It also keeps you feeling full longer, which helps with weight control. In this article, we explored how to make a tasty Greek yogurt chicken salad. We covered the key ingredients, such as cooked chicken and fresh veggies. We shared simple steps to prepare and mix everything together for great flavor. We also discussed tips for perfect texture and storage advice to keep it fresh. In closing, this salad is easy to customize and great for healthy meals. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and ingredients to make it your own!

Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

A refreshing and healthy chicken salad made with Greek yogurt, perfect for a light meal or as a side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 0.5 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup red grapes, halved
  • 0.25 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 0.25 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh dill or parsley

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken with the Greek yogurt. Stir until the chicken is well-coated with the yogurt.
  • Add in the diced celery, halved grapes, red onion, and chopped walnuts. Mix gently to combine the ingredients without breaking up the grapes.
  • In a smaller bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Pour the dressing over the chicken salad mixture and stir well until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with fresh dill or parsley.

Notes

Allowing the salad to chill enhances the flavors.
Keyword chicken salad, Greek yogurt, healthy recipe

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