Looking for a delicious and hassle-free recipe that will satisfy your cravings? Look no further than this Whole 30 Chicken Salad recipe! Packed with fresh and wholesome ingredients, this vibrant salad is a perfect combination of flavors and textures.
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Succulent chicken, crisp veggies, and a zesty dressing come together to create a delightful dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch or a satisfying dinner that is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
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I have always loved finding ways to use up extra chicken that I have on hand in my kitchen. You know what I mean, right?
You throw the chicken on the grill or buy a rotisserie chicken, or I make chicken soup and don't use the chicken from the stock, and I have all this amazing chicken leftover and I want to use it up.
So, what do I do? I make chicken salad that is healthy and gluten-free and it's in my refrigerator for the rest of the week. Serve it in lettuce cups, on a lettuce salad, or straight from the container, lol.
I typically make chicken by making Grilled Chicken Kabobs, Middle Eastern Marinade For Chicken, Keto Lemon Chicken, Dijon Mustard Chicken. Then I have leftover chicken that I use for this recipe.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy - Six basic ingredients are in this recipe.
- Uses up leftovers - Use up your leftover chicken from dinner or a rotisserie chicken bought at the store.
- Versatile - There are many ways to change up the taste.
Ingredients
For this recipe, I chose ingredients that we fairly common for chicken salad recipes. Why? I wanted to create a base recipe that would be easy for you to "riff" off of.
Ingredient Notes:
- I use avocado oil mayonnaise. This brand is my favorite! Just make sure it is Whole 30 compliant.
- For the chicken in this recipe, I used the Whole Foods Organic Rotisserie Chicken. It's my go-to chicken as it does not have a lot of added ingredients.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Variations
If you're looking to enhance the flavor of your Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Salad, here are a couple of simple ideas:
- Add fresh grapes: Seedless grapes, especially green grapes, can add a burst of sweetness and a nice texture to the salad.
- Add dried fruit: Dried Cranberries will create texture and flavor.
- Use a variety of fresh herbs: A bit of tarragon adds a unique anise-like flavor, while parsley adds a bright and herbaceous flavor.
- Add spice: Try mixing curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon zest into the dressing for a bit of heat and tang or add a splash of lemon juice!
- Use a variety of vegetables: Try adding 2-3 Persian cucumbers, or sliced cherry tomatoes to the salad for a refreshing summer crunch.
- Drizzle with olive oil: Finish the salad with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil for added richness and flavor.
- Add nuts for crunch: Add almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds for a nutty crunch factor in your salad.
Incorporating these or other simple ingredients into your salad, you can take your chicken salad to the next level and create a dish that is bursting with fresh and vibrant flavors.
How To Make Whole 30 Chicken Salad: Step-By-Step
Step 1. Take any chicken you are using off of any bones it may have. Rough chop the chicken or shred the chicken, if you desire.
Step 2. Clean the celery and the scallion (green onion). Roughly chop the celery and the scallion to your liking. I prefer slightly larger chunks as it adds more texture.
Step 3. For the dill weed, take the dill off of any large stems so you are only using the herb itself and not the stem. You can throw away the stem or save them for soups. Roughly chop the dill weed. You do not want to pieces to be too small.
Step 4. Combine all of the ingredients, including the mustard and mayonnaise into a bowl. Stir until completely blended. Taste the mixture and salt and pepper as needed.
Serving Suggestions
Here are a couple of other simple serving suggestions for your chicken salad:
- Serve on a bed of lettuce: For a light and refreshing option, serve the chicken salad over a bed of fresh greens. My favorite lettuce is arugula but butter lettuce or romaine works nicely.
- Make chicken salad sandwiches: Use your favorite bread (gluten-free if you would like) and spread a generous portion of chicken salad in between for a delicious sandwich.
- Make chicken salad pita sandwiches: Pita is a routine bread favorite in our home! Add lettuce and tomatoes for more deliciousness.
- Serve with crackers: Pair the chicken salad with your favorite crackers for a light and easy snack.
- Use as a dip: Dice your chicken into small bites or shred your chicken to make a dip. I have even thrown my chicken into my Cuisinart and blended the ingredients to make them small and dippable. Serve the chicken salad as a dip with cut-up veggies, such as carrots and cucumbers.
I would love to hear how you serve your chicken salad! So let me know!
Storage
To store your chicken salad, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Avoid leaving the chicken salad at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
If you have rotisserie chicken on hand and don't want to make this chicken salad, you can easily make a Million Dollar Chicken Casserole or try this Barbecue Chicken Grilled Cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken salad can be a healthy choice, depending on the ingredients used and the dressing or mayonnaise used in the recipe. I have subbed out the mayonnaise dressing for the Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette on occasion. Opting for lean chicken breast, plenty of fresh vegetables, and a light dressing or vinaigrette can make for a nutritious and balanced meal.
To make a gluten-free chicken salad, ensure that all the ingredients you use, such as the chicken, vegetables, and seasonings, are gluten-free. Be cautious with the dressing or mayonnaise you choose, as some may contain gluten or gluten-derived ingredients. Always check the labels or consider making your own gluten-free dressing using safe ingredients or substitutes.
Yes, chicken salad is a great make-ahead dish. You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the taste.
Yes! You can use any part of the chicken as long as it is cooked ahead of time. I actually like using the thigh, I'm a dark meat gal, as it adds some moisture.
Other Light Dinner Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you try this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section and leave a ⭐️ rating and review. Share it on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
xoxoxo
Gwen
Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Salad Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts cooked and chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill weed chopped
- 1 green onion chopped
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop the cooked chicken and place in a mixing bowl.
- Chop the celery, dill weed, and the green onion and place in the mixing bowl with the chicken.
- Add the dijon mustard, and the mayonnaise.
- Mix and then add salt and pepper to taste.
Gwen says
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