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A classic chicken salad is such a delight for lunch. I created this Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans for the days I wanted to feel really good about my lunch. This dish has tons of flavors and textures all at the same time. I use red seedless grapes, raw pecans, Greek yogurt and chicken breasts; and it makes the most delicious chicken salad ever! Serve in lettuce wraps, eat with low-fat crackers, or have open-faced on whole wheat bread. If you want to indulge, put it over a buttery croissant and enjoy! My recipe for Healthy Chicken Salad is even great on its own, with a spoon.
Recipes Similar to Healthy Chicken Salad:
Low Calorie Asian Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
Healthy BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe
Healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ready to Grill Barbecue Chicken Kebabs
What are the Health Benefits of this Chicken Salad?
I love to use lean chicken breast in so many dishes for its high protein and low fat content. I use mayonnaise and Greek yogurt for the sauce (Skinny swap with light mayo and non-fat yogurt), while adding lemon juice too. While mayonnaise typically gets a bad rap, it really is just olive oil and eggs. Grapes, pecans, and celery are whole ingredients that are added for crunch and freshness. Overall, this chicken salad is made from simple, farm-fresh ingredients that everyone can pronounce. This is a protein-rich dish full of delicious flavor!
Chicken salad is an awesome lunch option, or light dinner option. Keep it healthy by eating it in bibb lettuce cups or endive leaves. Like lettuce wrap recipes? Try my Asian Turkey Wraps! If you’re looking for a something a bit heartier, top the chicken salad on a sliced croissant and it will not disappoint.
Ingredients for Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans:
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- chicken broth (Skinny Swap low-sodium)
- bay leaves
- plain Greek yogurt (Skinny Swap non-fat)
- mayonnaise (Skinny Swap light)
- lemon juice
- salt
- black pepper
- red seedless grapes
- raw pecans
- celery
How to Make Healthy Chicken Salad
If using a shredded, store-bought rotisserie chicken, skip the following step:
To cook the chicken: Place the pieces in a large pot and fill it with enough chicken broth to cover the chicken by about 1-2 inches. Add bay leaves, and if desired, fresh parsley stems and whole peppercorns to flavor the cooking liquid. Then, bring to a boil over high heat. When the cooking liquid comes to a boil, cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the chicken for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 165℉. Using tongs, remove the chicken and reserve on a plate. When it is cool enough to touch, shred it and set aside.
While the chicken is cooling, prepare the dressing in a large mixing bowl by whisking together the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
Add the grapes, pecans, celery, and cooled chicken to the bowl, and gently toss all of the ingredients together. Chill before serving.
Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper adjust to taste
- 1 1/2 cups red seedless grapes, cut in half lengthwise
- 1 cup coarsely chopped unsalted, raw pecans
- 1 cup diced celery (about 3 stalks)
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a pot large and fill with enough chicken broth to cover the chicken by about 1-2 inches. Add bay leaves, and if desired, fresh parsley stems and whole peppercorns to flavor the cooking liquid, then bring to a boil over high heat. (Skip this step if using rotisserie chicken)
- When the cooking liquid comes to a boil, cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the chicken for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 165℉. (Skip this step if using rotisserie chicken)
- Using tongs, remove the chicken and reserve on a plate. When it is cool enough to touch, shred it and set aside. (Skip this step if using rotisserie chicken)
- While the chicken is cooling, prepare the dressing in a large mixing bowl by whisking together the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the grapes, pecans, celery, and cooled chicken to the bowl, and gently toss all of the ingredients together.
- Chill before serving.
did you make this recipe?
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