Feeling sluggish? Rev up your engines with this satisfying clean eating chicken salad!
I’m sure we’ve all had more than a few versions of chicken salad. So many of them are mayonnaise-laden and heavy, filling us up with more unhealthy fats than we need. It shouldn’t have to be that way, though. This dish has so much potential – it’s a convenient topping for a healthy lunch or dinner, and it’s a protein-packed powerhouse. So, we came up with a clean eating chicken salad recipe that will nourish your body and please your palate.
It’s not just about tasting great and feeling light, either. Our clean eating chicken salad recipe is super easy to make and works well for meal prepping options for weekday lunches. Or, you can eat it on the weekend in the great outdoors as a picnic! Your whole family will love it, especially when they learn how this recipe goes one step further in helping you meet your weight loss goals.
Clean Eating Chicken Salad
This clean eating chicken salad recipe is specifically designed to help you win the fight against toxins. If you’re feeling a bit more sluggish than usual lately, you might be losing this battle. Toxins are everywhere – they’re in the air we breathe and the food we eat. These unhealthy toxins want to keep your body from being at peak performance.
The best way to ensure that your body stays healthy and strong? Avoid unnatural processed foods. Incorporating a diet that’s high in nutrition and low in processed ingredients will help you achieve that goal. This clean eating chicken salad is filled with simple but healthy ingredients, making it perfect for those on a clean-eating diet or those just looking to focus more on nutrition.
That’s why we skip the mayonnaise (which, in addition to being full of saturated fats, sometimes has MSG and other chemical additions). We swapped in healthy Greek yogurt to give your body a boost of much-needed probiotics. Combine that with the protein-packed chicken and nutrient-dense celery, onions, and grapes to create the perfect filling for those whole-wheat pitas.
There you have it – the only chicken salad recipe you’ll ever need! If you’re trying to cut back on carbs, serve this tasty, clean eating chicken salad on a bed of lettuce. It’s also great rolled up in chard leaves, which make a great gluten-free tortilla replacement.
Watch this video to see how to make Clean Eating Chicken Salad:
Clean Eating Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts cooked, cut into cubes
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1/4 red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup red seedless grapes quartered
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt non-fat
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- sea salt to taste
- 2 whole-wheat pita pockets halved
- 4 romaine lettuce leaves large
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix all of the salad ingredients. Chicken salad can be eaten as is or eat as a pita sandwich. Recipe serves 4.
Nutrition Information
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Last Updated: June 08, 2018
I tried this with quorn chicken pieces to make a vegetarian option and it was super yummy! Separated it in to four tubs for lunch and just add it to a pitta at lunch time for work. Great recipe! Thanks 🙂
We’re happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Can this be frozen for future use, say a week at the most?
Hi Natakie,
I would not recommend freezing the chicken salad. The yogurt won’t freeze well and the salad will end up runny once thawed. You can prepare this a few days ahead, about 4, and refrigerate.
Do you save the liquid for future recipes?
Criss, You certainly can save the liquid, even freeze it for later. 🙂
My chicken breasts are a full pound each. How many ounces total should I use for this recipe?
Michelle, One breast should be plenty.
I feel kind of stupid needing to ask this, but are the romaine lettuce leaves considered “salad ingredients” to be mixed with everything else, or do they go on a sandwich separately?
btw, I like to buy bone in chicken breasts and simmer them for the broth. The chicken can then be cooled and pulled off the bone to freeze and have on hand for things like this.
Liz, Mix the Romaine in with the chicken salad. 🙂
Do you think using tuna in place of the chicken will work, too?
Jessica, Yes, you can sub with tuna. Here’s a popular tuna recipe as well, https://skinnyms.com/mediterranean-tuna-salad/
Romaine lettuce hearts as wraps instead of the pita was wonderful!
This is my family’s favorite! I have to run away from my step son when I take the last of it beacause he wants it! I use rotisserie chicken breasts with this. It’s just so delicious!
Ally, Thank you so much for the feedback. 🙂
I want to make my own pita pockets. I have a recipe, but the pockets turn out, though tasty, more like bread rounds. How can I make a pita pocket that turns out like the one in the picture for this chicken salad pita?
Hi Anne, making pita pockets is not an easy technique. It’s best to use a recipe with minimal ingredients. You will need to carefully slice through the center of the bread once it’s cooked which is very difficult as the pitas will be thin. I would recommend using the pitas you have made since you enjoy the recipe and preparing pita pocket sandwiches more like a taco or wrap.
I don’t see mayo listed as an ingredient. Your comment above makes it seem like it should be in there. Is it supposed to have mayo and how much? Thanks.
Kelly, We used Greek yogurt instead of mayo. I corrected my comment.
Would u cut the chicken first before put in the oven or…?
Lily, That would make it easier.
Thank You For Sharing ♥️I WILL TRY!! My Husband Will eat If He doesn’t see Its Yogurt? He eats it, But it’s “ mind over matter! He didn’t Like almond milk , but he was Eating it in Food for a while and Didn’t even notice!And He’s very Health conscious And Works Out and Eats Healthy SO he SHOULD Like it. G-d♥️Bless
Cheri, Understand. Enjoy!
Made this today and it was yummy! My family didn’t even know there was no mayonnaise. Highly recommend!
Looks good