The ultimate prep-ahead filling for your sammies and snacks!
I can safely say I am a meal-prepping fiend. I love looking forward to my speedy lunch during the week, and I can’t stand the idea of just waiting til I’m hungry and figuring it out. Nowadays, there’s always a little pot of something in the fridge waiting for me to toast some sourdough to pile it onto, and more often than not, it’s this rotisserie chicken salad.
Rotisserie chickens are just the epitome of convenience for me. I love that they’re still warm when you buy them, and that smell. Unreal. The raw veggies provide a little crunch, and the dressing clings to the salad ingredients to strike the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and savory flavors.
When choosing your rotisserie chicken, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, try to find a free-range one so you know the meat is high-quality. Secondly, always read the ingredients for the marinade, as most rotisserie chickens are basted with a very salty wet marinade. Try to find one with minimal additives, sugars, and salt (if you’re watching your sodium).
Finally, always get whole rotisserie chickens. Load up a freezer-safe bag with all the bones and skin, and freeze until you have the time to chuck all that good stuff into a pot with some veggies. You’ll have a delicious homemade stock in no time!
Is This Rotisserie Chicken Salad Healthy?
You bet! Packed with lean protein from the rotisserie chicken, fiber from celery, and probiotics from the Greek yogurt, this salad is both filling and balanced. Plus, it skips heavy mayo in favor of lighter, tangier Greek yogurt, keeping the fat in check without sacrificing creaminess.
Want some ideas for making this rotisserie chicken salad even healthier? You can always opt to use a low-fat Greek yogurt, and I like to add more veggies like arugula, tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers for more nutrients. This recipe is a flexible base that lets you tweak it to fit your food preferences, and it’s naturally gluten-free!
Why Greek Yogurt Over Mayo?
For all you mayo haters out there (myself included), you can officially declare this the best chicken salad recipe you’ve ever discovered, thanks to its absence of mayonnaise!
Greek yogurt adds a creamy texture that rivals mayo, and its slightly tangy flavor enhances the dish’s freshness without overpowering it. It keeps the salad rich but still light, and it contains less fat than mayonnaise.
Greek yogurt isn’t just great in this rotisserie chicken salad; it’s a culinary chameleon! Use it to make creamy pasta sauces, substitute it for sour cream in baked potatoes, or whip up lighter dips for veggies in the place of cream cheese. Once you start experimenting, you’ll wonder how your kitchen survived without it!
How To Make Ahead And Store
Store the rotisserie chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also store all the ingredients separately and combine them on the day for a fresher flavor (I don’t do this, but my partner swears it tastes different). With how easy it is to pick up or order a rotisserie chicken, there’s no need to freeze some for later!
Serving Suggestions
Eat this salad on its own with a spoon, or enjoy it on top of your favorite crackers or bread! I always keep a sliced loaf of sourdough toast in my freezer and pop a few slices in my toaster from frozen on busy mornings.
I also love making my own crackers to dunk and slather in my chicken salad. Try out these Cheese Crackers, these Flax Seed Crackers, these Almond Flour Crackers, or these Gluten-Free Crackers. When I have the time, I love to stuff this chicken salad into a Caprese Sandwich or replace the chicken in this Chicken Pesto Sandwich.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken shredded or cubed
- 1 cup celery diced
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or wholegrain mustard
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine rotisserie chicken, celery, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken salad and toss until well coated. Stir in the chopped parsley and serve.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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