A light and flavorful chicken salad without mayo, made with Greek yogurt, rotisserie chicken, walnuts, and cranberries for a quick, protein-packed meal. Ready in 10 minutes and perfect for meal prep!
Chicken salad is a classic, but so many recipes depend on piles of mayo for a creamy texture. If you’re looking for a chicken salad without mayo that’s just as satisfying, my version swaps mayo for protein-packed Greek yogurt and a touch of poppy seed dressing for a slightly sweet flavor that I absolutely love.
It’s light, creamy, and packed with texture from crunchy walnuts and sweet dried cranberries, making it a delicious and wholesome option for lunch or meal prep. Add it to your list of quick and healthy lunches, right along with my open face tuna melt and turkey and cheese roll ups!
This healthy chicken salad (no mayo) is also incredibly easy to make, especially when using rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a rotisserie chicken salad recipe ready in just 10 minutes. Enjoy it in a wrap, on whole-grain crackers, or alongside fresh veggies for a balanced, no-fuss meal.
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Jump to:
- Why you'll love this healthy chicken salad without mayo
- What you need for this chicken salad recipe
- How to make this easy chicken salad with rotisserie chicken
- How to make this recipe even easier
- Variations
- Make ahead, freezing, and storage instructions
- Recipe for Quick and Healthy Chicken Salad
- 📖 Recipe
Why you'll love this healthy chicken salad without mayo
- Lighter & protein-packed: Greek yogurt replaces mayo for a creamy and nutrient-rich alternative that’s low in fat and high in protein. One serving of this chicken salad has 18 grams of protein.
- Quick & easy: A rotisserie chicken salad recipe means minimal prep time.
- Full of flavor: The mix of walnuts, cranberries, and Dijon mustard gives it a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and tangy with a little crunch.
- Great for meal prep: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days and works for multiple meals.
What you need for this chicken salad recipe
- Cooked chicken: Shredded or diced pre-cooked chicken.Leftover or rotisserie chicken is a great option.
- Greek yogurt: A creamy, high protein mayo alternative. Choose 0% or 2% for a lower fat and lower calorie option. Fage 0% is a really good option for a super thick and creamy texture without saturated fat.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a bit of tang and depth of flavor.
- Red onion: Finely chopped for a bit of crunch and mild bite.
- Dried cranberries: Adds adds sweet flavor and a little chewy texture that’s so good when paired with the crunchy walnuts and creamy yogurt.
- Walnuts: For a bit of crunch and heart-healthy fats. You can sub slivered almonds for walnuts if you’d prefer or leave them out altogether.
- Poppy seed dressing: Enhances the flavor and creaminess.
- Garlic powder, salt, and pepper: Simple seasonings to bring it all together with a little depth of flavor.
How to make this easy chicken salad with rotisserie chicken
- Prepare the chicken salad: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, red onion, cranberries, walnuts, poppy seed dressing, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper as needed to bring out the flavors.
- Serve and enjoy: Pair with a whole grain tortilla and fresh greens, fresh fruit, raw veggies, or whole-grain crackers for a balanced lunch.
How to make this recipe even easier
Want to make this recipe but need it to be even easier? I got you! Here are some easy ways to shave down time and effort:
- Use pre-shredded rotisserie chicken from the store to skip the chopping.
- Swap fresh red onion for pre-diced onion to save on prep time.
- Mix everything in a storage container to cut down on dishes.
Variations
- Make it dairy-free: Swap Greek yogurt for mashed avocado or a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
- Add more crunch: If you like extra texture, add diced apples or chopped celery.
- Increase the protein: Add chickpeas or a sprinkle of hemp seeds for extra protein and fiber.
- Swap the nuts: Use pecans or sunflower seeds if you prefer a different crunch.
- Lower the sugar: Use unsweetened dried fruit or skip the cranberries for a more savory version.
Make ahead, freezing, and storage instructions
This mayo-free chicken salad is amazing for meal prepping. You can combine everything and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days, depending on how long your leftover chicken has been in the refrigerator.
Because this recipe has Greek yogurt, it’s not a good recipe for freezing!
Recipe for Quick and Healthy Chicken Salad
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked chicken shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt full-fat or 2% for creaminess
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons poppy seed dressing
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Salad:In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, red onion, cranberries, walnuts, poppyseed dressing, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serving Suggestion:Pair with a whole grain tortilla and fresh greens, fresh fruit, raw veggies, or whole-grain crackers for a balanced lunch.
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