Healthy Chicken Salad With No Mayo
Primal Edge Health participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs and therefore, may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This comes at no additional cost to you, and all the prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.
This healthy chicken salad skips the mayo but keeps all the creamy, crave-worthy goodness. This version isn’t your grandma’s potluck staple – it’s a modern take that’s light, crisp, and bursting with flavor, and the mix of avocado, tomatoes, yogurt, and lime makes it extra bright and refreshing. It’s a delicious, protein packed dish you can whip up in 15 minutes or less!
I’ve tasted quite a number of chicken salads in my life, including the classic deli-style version from a nearby local restaurant and the mayo-heavy one I grew up eating at family picnics. They all had their charm, but I always found myself wishing for something a little lighter and a little brighter, and this healthy chicken salad is exactly that. It comes together so easily and it has clean flavors and satisfying textures, just like another favorite, chopped chicken salad.
I love that it also fits into a variety of healthy lifestyles and can easily be customized to your preferred diet. Whether you’re packing a quick lunch, craving a wholesome snack, or need a light and easy dinner after a long day, this high-protein salad is the answer. Simple, smart, and so easy to love – this no-mayo wonder isn’t like any chicken salad you’ve had.
Table of Contents (click to view)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No cooking required: Just mix the ingredients together and enjoy – everything comes together in one bowl!
- No mayo, no problem: All the creamy goodness you crave, without the heaviness of mayo.
- Low-carb friendly: Great for keto or low-carb lifestyles – serve it in lettuce cups, on cucumber slices, or eat it straight from the bowl.
- Great for special diets: This chicken salad with no mayo is naturally gluten-free, low-oxalate, and easy to adapt for low-fiber diets.
- Versatile serving options: Wrap it, stuff it, scoop it, or spread it – this salad works with whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
- Meal prep gold: Make it once, and enjoy it all week. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for quick lunches or snacks.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Salad
You only need 6 main ingredients (plus spices and seasonings) and about 15 minutes to make this super delicious high-protein salad. Just shred or chop the cooked chicken, toss with the other ingredients, and it’s ready to serve or chill for later. This version keeps things creamy and tangy thanks to a clever no-mayo twist that doesn’t skimp on texture or richness!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Canned chicken: I use pre-cooked, chopped or shredded canned chicken for this recipe. Rotisserie, grilled, poached, or leftover baked chicken all work well, too. Just avoid any heavily seasoned or sauced chicken.
- Ripe avocado: I recommend using ripe Hass avocados for its creamy, buttery texture that’s perfect for this recipe.
- Cherry tomatoes: Go for ripe, uniform-sized tomatoes and use a mix of colors if you can to make the dish look even more vibrant and appetizing.
- Fresh cilantro
- Greek yogurt:
- Lime (juiced): Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled versions may taste slightly bitter and lack the same brightness.
- Spices and seasonings: I use garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and ground black pepper for this salad.
- Jalapeño: Optional for a spicy kick.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This healthy chicken salad is as easy as it gets. No cooking, no mess, no hassle – just a cool, vibrant side every time. While it’s optional, I recommend that you don’t skip the chill time – it’s essential for getting the best flavor and texture, plus your salad will stay fresher for longer!
Step 1: Mix
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients together. Gently fold everything together until well combined.
Step 2: Taste
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Step 3: Serve
Serve immediately or chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Substitutions
The ingredients for this recipe are as basic as it gets, and are very adaptable to your preferences or dietary needs. Substitute ingredients with what you love or have on hand! Here are my recommendations.
- Canned chicken: Substitute with turkey, or chickpeas for a plant-based option.
- Ripe avocado: Replace with mashed hummus, tahini, or cooked sweet potato.
- Cherry tomatoes: Swap out with ripe grape tomatoes, chopped Roma tomatoes, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Fresh cilantro: Use flat-leaf parsley or fresh basil instead.
- Greek yogurt: Regular plain yogurt or skyr are ideal substitutes. To make this salad dairy-free, replace Greek yogurt with mashed avocado or a dairy free yogurt alternative (coconut or almond-based).
- Lime juice: Replace with fresh lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar.
- Garlic powder: Swap in minced fresh garlic or onion powder.
- Smoked paprika: Substitute with regular paprika or chipotle powder.
- Cumin: Replace with coriander.
- Jalapeño: Use serrano peppers for more heat, or crushed red pepper flakes.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overmix: After adding tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings, stir just enough to combine. Overmixing can make the salad too runny.
- Add crunch: A little crunch goes a long way – try tossing in chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, or even toasted seeds or nuts.
- Get creative with mix-ins: Add crumbled cheese (like feta or cotija), black beans, or grilled corn to make your salad heartier.
- Serve creatively: Serve on whole grain toast, in a lettuce wrap or a sandwich, stuffed into pita, or served over greens for a light salad bowl.
- Use a chilled bowl: For summer gatherings or hot days, chill your serving bowl in advance to keep the salad crisp and cool longer.
- Make final adjustments: Tomatoes and avocados vary in sweetness and richness, so always do a final seasoning check before serving.
How to Store This Recipe
This healthy chicken salad with no mayo is best eaten fresh due to the avocado. If prepping in advance, add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The avocado may brown slightly but will still taste good.
What to Serve with Healthy Chicken Salad
Healthy chicken salad is super versatile and pairs well with all kinds of sides, whether you’re keeping things light or building a full meal. For a crisp, refreshing combo, serve it with cucumber slices or whole romaine leaves. It’s also delicious wrapped in cauliflower tortillas.
Want something heartier? Try it alongside roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, a slice of sourdough toast, or a warm bowl of soup like avocado bone broth soup and French onion soup.
More Easy Salad Recipes To Try
- Italian chopped salad
- Avocado tomato salad
- Sauteed beet green salad
- Spicy low carb tuna salad cucumber bites
15-Minute Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked canned chicken shredded or chopped
- 1 large ripe avocado mashed
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 medium lime juiced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium jalapeño chopped, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients together. Gently fold everything together until well combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Serve immediately or chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- After mixing everything together, stir just enough to combine. Overmixing can make the salad too runny.
- A little crunch goes a long way – try tossing in chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, or even toasted seeds or nuts.
- Add crumbled cheese (like feta or cotija), black beans, or grilled corn to make your salad heartier.
- Serve on whole grain toast, in a lettuce wrap or a sandwich, stuffed into pita, or served over greens for a light salad bowl.
- For summer gatherings or hot days, chill your serving bowl in advance to keep the salad crisp and cool longer.
- Tomatoes and avocados vary in sweetness and richness, so always do a final seasoning check before serving.
Nutrition & Macros
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.
