15 Chicken Salad Recipes for Delicious Meals

A simple yet effective chicken salad recipe should be part of everyone’s collection of tried-and-true recipes.

With only a few common ingredients, homemade chicken salads may be prepared quickly and effortlessly, making them ideal for light meals, potlucks, gatherings, and lunches in the warm weather.

These versatile recipes offer countless options, from the classic appeal of celery and onions to the surprising delight of strawberries and walnuts.

Also, these salad recipes are a great way to use leftover chicken along with various toppings that suit your tastes.

Along the process, I’ll provide you with lots of advice and recipe ideas for delicious chicken salads.

15 Chicken Salad Recipes

1- Cranberry Chicken Salad

This festive version of chicken salad includes juicy cranberries, which give a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory chicken.

This chicken salad features toasted walnuts, sour cranberries, and a zesty vinegar dressing.

For a light and nutritious lunch, try our cranberry chicken salad on top of a bed of leafy greens, a baguette or croissant, or a lettuce wrap. It’s quite tasty.

• Calories: 357kcal
• Carbs: 23g 
• Protein: 22g 
• Fat: 20g

2- GUACAMOLE CHICKEN SALAD

This yummy Guacamole Chicken Salad is ready in minutes and has the fresh, powerful tastes of lime, jalapeno, and avocado, as well as the crisp texture of chopped celery and red onion.

This recipe for healthy guacamole chicken salad puts a Mexican spin on a traditional chicken salad, making it bursting with flavor.

This meal is suitable for many different dietary requirements because it is low-carb, gluten-free, grain-free, and keto-friendly.

• Calories: 338kcal
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Protein: 19g
• Fat: 26g

3- California Chicken Salad Recipe

With mayo and yogurt, poppy seed dressing, soft shredded chicken, chopped nuts, and red grapes are all packed into this dish for California chicken salad.

It is crisp, flavorful, and precisely the right amount of crunchy, creamy, and sweet. Finally, we’ve made it dairy- and gluten-free.

It takes twenty minutes to prepare and tastes great alone or as part of a quick lunch wrap or sandwich.

4- Old Fashioned Chicken Salad

This classic dish is a definition of comfort food. Imagine tender shredded chicken combined with finely chopped onion and celery for a delicious crunch and a rich mayonnaise sauce.

This is the healthiest recipe for classic chicken salad, perfect for a midday meal. This simple homemade dish is low-carb and keto-friendly.

This is an ideal meal to prepare in advance and serve with a salad or sandwich.

• Calories: 423kcal
• Carbohydrates: 1.8g
• Protein: 31.5g
• Fat: 31.2g

5- Ensalada de Gallina 

This easy, creamy, and delicious cold salad is the centerpiece of festivals or December celebrations.

A chilled salad with a creamy base that includes shredded chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, apples, and a creamy sauce is called an Ensalada de gallina.

This is a true Venezuelan dish; the finest flavor depends on using real mayonnaise. For a lighter dressing, try sour cream, Greek yogurt, or a mix with Mayo.

• Calories: 336kcal
• Fat: 29 g
• Carbohydrates: 15.2 g
• Protein: 3.3 g

6- Strawberry Chicken Salad

This surprising blend adds a sophisticated and refreshing touch. This light and tasty strawberry chicken salad is tossed in a flavorful strawberry honey dressing and loaded with healthy components.

This salad comes together quickly and can be made in various ways, with minimal preparation and cooking needed.

This salad is ideal for a light supper or summertime lunchtime.

• Calories: 352kcal
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Protein: 23g
• Fat: 23g

7- Chicken Salad Recipe with Grapes 

This Grape and Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe is a family favorite and a great choice for a variety of occasions.

As a well-balanced dinner, serve this traditional chicken salad in party sandwiches, bagels, croissants, fresh bread rolls, or crackers.

Serve a portion of this salad over a bed of lettuce leaves to make tasty lettuce wraps for a low-carb alternative.

• Calories: 335kcal
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Protein: 18g
• Fat: 27g

8- Curried Chicken Salad

Indian food inspired this aromatic salad. Curry powder, cumin, and other spicy spices are combined with a creamy dressing to create a dish called curried chicken salad.

The chicken is shredded and tender. Crunchy almonds, sauteed onions, celery, and sweet grapes abound in this salad.

You will be preparing this chicken salad again and again after just one mouthful. It is that wonderful!

9- HUMMUS CHICKEN SALAD

This creative recipe incorporates hummus’s rich, nutty taste. Instead of mayonnaise, mashed chickpeas provide a nutritious, high-protein base.

It naturally makes the salad dairy- and gluten-free and adds a distinct taste and creaminess. This chicken salad with hummus is full of vegetables and protein.

Additionally, it is readily customizable and comes in various taste and combination options.

This salad is so simple to prepare that it can be assembled in just ten minutes. It’s a fantastic alternative for lunch or dinner.

• Calories: 332kcal
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Protein: 37g
• Fat: 14g

10- SMOKED CHICKEN SALAD

The smoked chicken adds a rich, flavorful depth to this salad. The smokey flavor tastes great when combined with chopped grapes or dried cranberries for a hint of sweetness.

The chicken, which is softly smoked without being overbearing, pairs well with the walnuts and grapes for lunch or supper. I would be happy to have it any day.

• Calories: 468kcal
• Fat: 29g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Protein: 37g

11- Salpicón de Pollo

Salpicón de Pollo is a famous salad made with shredded chicken, radish, and mint enjoyed across Latin America, especially in Mexico and Guatemala.

This colorful salad consists of chopped red onion, jalapeño, red daikon, and shredded chicken mixed with a zesty mayonnaise dressing.

Savor it as a game day snack, picnic fare, or party starter on crispy tostadas or soft tacos.

• Calories: 301kcal 
• Carbohydrates: 32g 
• Protein: 24g 
• Fat: 10g 

12- Asian Chicken Salad

Asian cuisine is the source of inspiration for this tasty salad. A light and zesty vinaigrette made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and fresh ginger is combined with shredded chicken.

Asian chicken salad is the ideal last-minute dinner dish because it’s crunchy, light, and simple to prepare!

Shredded chicken and crisp cabbage are combined in this salad, and the flavors are enhanced with a delicious dressing! It’s ideal for a potluck dish for a large group or a business lunch!

• Calories: 436
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Protein: 14g
• Fat: 34g

13- Grilled Chicken Salad

This salad of grilled chicken is bursting with flavors tangy and smokey!

This nutritious choice makes use of the delicious smokey flavor of grilled chicken.

For added flavor, marinate your chicken in herbs and spices before grilling.

Any time of year, a fresh dinner consisting of crisp romaine, colorful vegetables, cheese topped with grilled BBQ chicken pieces, and a zesty dressing is served.

This is the finest summer salad dish!

• Calories: 521
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 33g
• Fat: 30

14- California chicken salad

This flavor-filled California chicken salad is ideal for any kind of event. Toasted nuts and luscious red grapes come together to create a delicious blend of crunchy, savory, sweet, and salty sensations.

Perfect for preparing in large quantities and having on hand for fast salads, wraps, and sandwiches.

• Calories: 2416kcal
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Protein: 137g
• Fat: 186g

15- Chicken and Quinoa Salad

The whole family will love this salad made with chicken and quinoa. Tossed in a dish with chicken, quinoa, avocado, crunchy celery, and spring onions is a creamy, nutritious salad dressing made with plain yogurt.

This is a perfectly good meal for either lunch or dinner.

• Calories: 786kcal
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Protein: 68g
• Fat: 37g