Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

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If hot summer nights are keeping you out of the kitchen, a simple rotisserie chicken and a little chopping will get you this simple, easy lemon chicken salad without turning on the stove.

While everybody has their own idea of what a “classic chicken salad recipe” consists of, I like to keep things interesting by switching out flavors on what most people consider to be “classic”.

Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (1)

Don’t get me wrong, classic recipes are staples in my kitchen too. But I like to keep things interesting, and when it comes to yet another chicken recipe, I find it’s best to not get stuck in a rut with the same ol’, same ol’.

I find that fresh flavors are the best. Using fresh lemon juice from fresh lemons, a newly roasted chicken and fresh, vibrant produce will always get you the best flavors and textures possible.

Best Type Of Chicken For Chicken Salad Recipes

All of these types of chicken are perfect for making chicken salad.

  • Rotisserie Chicken – Using a rotisserie chicken for this recipe is the perfect way to enjoy a cooked meal without warming up your kitchen. Just be sure to read ingredients before you check out at the grocery store. It’s kinda crazy what some places add to a chicken.
  • Skinless Chicken Breasts – These are always a great option, but will require some form of cooking. On a hot summer day, I recommend an air fryer or Instant Pot.
  • Chicken Thighs – Like chicken breasts, these can easily be used for a chicken salad. I recommend removing a good majority of the fat that is on them, and the air frying them. Air fried chicken thighs are wonderful!
  • Grilled Chicken – It’s summer, so many people have their grills going constantly. This is also a great way to cook your chicken without heating up your kitchen.

Chicken Marinade

While marinating the chicken first is not a requirement for this salad, some folks will find the added flavor to be quite good. I have made it both ways and enjoyed both equally. The choice is yours.

If you choose to marinate your chicken, here are a couple suggestions:

  • Chicken Marinade
  • Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette (makes a great marinade!)
Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (2)

Chicken Salad Without Mayonnaise

Traditionally, chicken salad is made with mayonnaise. Some folks even add sour cream or Greek yogurt. But I have found that a dressing made with a healthy oil (such as extra virgin olive oil), still gives you the moisture you are looking for in a chicken salad, without adding all those unhealthy fats of mayonnaise, or the tang of sour cream or yogurt.

Another benefit of chicken salad without mayo is that it makes for easy lunches. You don’t have to worry about the mayo being refrigerated because there isn’t any!

Adding Mayo

If you prefer to use mayonnaise, you can absolutely add that here. I recommend starting with a 1/4 cup mayonnaise for this salad. You can always add more, but you can’t take any out. So start small and add for taste and texture.

If you do add mayo, you will obviously want to go much lighter on the dressing.

Or, you could simply take the salad dressing ingredients and replace the oil called for with mayonnaise. It’s the best of both worlds!

How Much Lemon Juice In Chicken Salad?

As you can probably tell by the title, the lemon juice really makes the flavor here. But that doesn’t mean you have to put a ton of it in. An average for chicken salad is about:

1 tbsp. lemon juice = 1 lb. of chicken

This will give you a good, strong lemon flavor without it being overpowering. I pulled back from this a bit because the dressing I used (listed below) also has lemon in it.

Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (3)

Ingredient Checklist

5cupscooked, shredded chicken– You can roast a chicken yourself, or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store. Whole Foods sells clean rotisserie chicken, and that’s where I get mine. For other stores, you’ll want to read the ingredient list. It’s nuts what some places put on a chicken!) Shred or chop the chicken into bite size pieces.

1tsp.garlic granules – Garlic powder will work too. If all you have is garlic salt, use sparingly to taste so it doesn’t get overly salty.

½cupfinely chopped red onion – You can also use yellow onion, but red onion is sweeter and tastes better in a salad like this.

½cupfinely chopped celery – Chop this as fine as you can get it for the best texture in your salad.

1 lemon

  • 1tbsp.lemon zest– This is an approximate measure. I simply zested one lemon and used what I got from that.
  • 1tbsp.lemon juice– This is an approximate measure. I simply juiced the lemon I zested and used what I got from that.

4mediumgreen onions– Slice these as thin as you can slice them. You’ll be using the entire green onions. Whites and greens together.

Basil dressing – Make this ahead of time for convenience. Use as much as you like, to taste. You can find that recipe here.

1/2 tsp. salt – I used pink Himalayan salt, but use whatever salt you normally use for seasoning food.

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper – I find that a course grind is great if you want the added texture, but a fine grind is best overall, since you already have crunch from the celery.

What Else Could You Add To This Salad?

While I didn’t add anything else, there are a few ingredients that could be really delicious to add to this salad.

  • Fresh, chopped heirloom tomatoes
  • Feta cheese – Try a little with the dressing to see if you like the combo first
  • Sliced olives
  • Chopped, raw zucchini
  • Parmesan
  • Fresh dill
  • Chopped avocado

How To Make Lemon Chicken Salad

Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (4)

Chop the chicken into small, bite-size pieces. The smaller you chop, the better the overall texture of the salad will be.

Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (5)

Finely chop the red onion, green onions and celery.

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Add in the garlic, zested lemon peel and juice. Combine chicken and all ingredients (except dressing) by mixing well.

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Serve with dressing.

What Goes With Chicken Salad

If you want to serve this either as a side dish or as a main course with other side dishes, here are some suggestions for what to serve this with.

  • Crusty Garlic Bread
  • On a bed of lettuce or other greens for extra veggies and more “salad” in your salad.
  • A side of brown rice.
  • Mix this into cooked pasta for a great pasta salad!
  • A side of veggies

How To Store Chicken Salad

This will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?

While chicken salad in general can vary greatly, whether you can freeze it or not depends on the ingredients you have in it.

In this particular case, this recipe will freeze well with two conditions or exceptions.

  • Freeze without any added dressing or mayo.
  • Freeze without green onions. You can sprinkle them on fresh at serving.

Recipe Supplies

You’ll want to be sure you have a few things on hand to make this recipe quickly and easily.

  • A good cutting board – I like bamboo cutting boards because they are durable, lightweight, and in most cases, sustainable.
  • Measuring cups – A good set is important in any kitchen. I find stainless steel to be the most durable and lasting.
  • A sharp knife appropriate for chopped meat and veggies – I find a chef’s knife is usually the best option. Kept sharp and in good condition, it’s also the safest knife you can use in your home kitchen.
  • Large Bowl – While you could get away with a medium bowl, I find that for salads like this (as well as other types of salads), a big salad bowl is best. Avoid using a small bowl for this recipe. You need to be able to properly mix your ingredients as well as toss them with dressing.

More Healthy Recipes For Chicken Salad

  • Mexican Chicken Salad
  • Chinese Chicken Salad
  • Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad

Recipes Used

  • Lemon Basil Dressing

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Lemon Chicken Salad Recipe

Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (12)

Lemon Chicken Salad Recipe With Basil Dressing

A delicious, refreshing summer chicken salad you can enjoy as a main course or a side dish. Great for potlucks!

3 from 1 vote

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 7 servings

Calories: 428kcal

CLICK TO WATCH THIS RECIPE IN ACTION!

Ingredients

  • 5 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great here! Chop or shred)
  • 1 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 4 medium green onions (white and green parts, sliced thin)
  • 1 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1 tsp. garlic granules
  • 1 tbsp. lemon zest (approximately the zest of 1 lemon)
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice (approximately the juice of 1 lemon)
  • basil dressing (to taste)

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Chop the chicken into small, bite-size pieces. The smaller you chop, the better the overall texture of the salad will be.

    Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (13)

  • Finely chop the red onion, green onions and celery.

    Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (14)

  • Add in the garlic, lemon zest and juice. Combine chicken and all ingredients (except dressing) by mixing well.

    Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (15)

  • Serve with dressing.

    Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (16)

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 878mg | Potassium: 510mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 5425IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 4mg

Recipe originally posted 5/8/13 and updated on 6/19/21.

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Clean Eating Lemon Almond Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I lose weight by eating chicken and salad? ›

Although chicken and salad are healthy nutrients, you can gain weight due to the way the chicken is prepared, or the salad is made with high-calorie sauces. Moreover, you can't shed weight with only one food in your diet. Salad with chicken supports your diet in this way, but it isn't enough on its own.

Can you eat chicken salad everyday? ›

Absolutely — chicken salad can be healthy. Just how healthy comes down to the ingredients used, the portion eaten, and the other foods it's paired with to make a meal.

Is chicken salad actually healthy? ›

Chicken salad is high in nutrients

It also contains a variety of valuable micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Chicken salad is high in nutrients, as well as vitamins and minerals. One 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of roasted chicken contains a high concentration of: 51% of the DV for niacin.

Why does my chicken salad taste so bland? ›

There could be several reasons why your chicken salad is bland. Here are some common factors to consider: Lack of Seasoning: One of the most common reasons for bland chicken salad is insufficient seasoning. Make sure to add enough salt, pepper, and other seasonings like herbs and spices to enhance the flavor.

Can you lose belly fat by eating chicken? ›

Chicken helps lose overall body weight if consumed as a healthy and balanced diet. In the process, one can also lose belly fat. While eating chicken, remember to opt for lean chicken breast; it is a good source of protein with fewer calories.

What happens if I eat salad for 30 days? ›

Eating salad for 30 days can lead to a variety of health benefits, as long as the salad includes a balanced and varied mix of nutritious ingredients. A daily salad that includes greens, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein sources can provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support overall health.

What to avoid in salad for weight loss? ›

Crunchy Noodles, Wontons, and Tortilla Strips

“Crunchy noodles are like eating chips,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D.N., creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It. All they add to your salad are calories (around 120 per half cup) and fat (half of those calories, at around 60 grams).

Is mayonnaise good or bad for you? ›

Mayonnaise's nutritional profile is a mix of both healthy and not-so-healthy aspects. While it contains healthy fats from oil and essential nutrients from egg yolks, it can also be high in calories and saturated fats. Moderation is key when consuming mayonnaise to avoid negative health impacts.

What is the best time to eat salad for weight loss? ›

Don't overdo salads before a meal.

You should always eat your salad first to fill up on healthy nutrients and let fibres do their work before moving on to the main course. While this may work for some people, it can also lead to overeating if you are not mindful of portion sizes.

Are rotisserie chickens healthy? ›

A rotisserie chicken is better than some of the other alternatives. Even with additives, a rotisserie chicken is a far healthier choice than a fast food run, says Allers. “It's still lower in fat and calories than fast food. It's serving its purpose – it's fast, but it can still help you create a balanced meal.

Is Chick Fil A junk food? ›

As a lean-meat protein, Chick-Fil-A's nutrition profile can offer great choices for a healthy meal-all depending on the cooking method. Breading and deep frying both add unnecessary fats and calories to the meal, taking away from some of its nutritional value.

Is chicken salad healthier than tuna salad? ›

If your iron levels are solid but you could use some more zinc, potassium, or phosphorus, then chicken is a better choice. In the end, the choice between tuna and chicken boils down to what you need. Whichever you choose, you're guaranteed lots of lean, low-calorie protein, with vitamins and minerals galore.

Why am I still hungry after eating chicken salad? ›

Your lunch choice may lack sufficient protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Consider adding sources of lean protein, healthy fats (like avocado or nuts), and high-fiber vegetables to your meal to increase satiety.

What not to do when preparing chicken salad? ›

Overcooked or dry chicken

To ensure that your chicken salad tastes the way that it should, you should avoid using overcooked or dry chicken in your recipe. Unfortunately, as we cook chicken, the moisture of the bird slowly evaporates.

What to do if you put too much mayo in chicken salad? ›

To offset the creaminess (and potentially wetness) of too much mayo, try adding in more of whatever crunchy element you were using. Celery and red onion are some of the most common ones, but you can also try chopped red peppers, bacon bits, carrots, cabbage, apples, chopped nuts, and more.

Will I lose weight if all I eat is chicken? ›

Does the chicken-only diet help with weight loss? Scientists have not found any evidence for the whole chicken diet and its effects on weight loss. To lose weight, you need to maintain a consistent calorie deficit, which means you consume fewer calories than you burn.

Can I eat as much salad as I want and still lose weight? ›

Can you lose weight by eating a salad every day? "Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

Will I lose weight eating meat and salad? ›

Absolutely. Just make sure the amount of meat and salad you eat contains less calories than you burn on that day. For instance, if you eat 1250 calories of meat and salad, you will lose wait as long as you burn more than 1250 calories by walking, running, etc.

Can I eat chicken and still lose weight? ›

When creating a healthy diet plan, grilled chicken is almost always a staple. This is because grilled chicken is lean and contains far less fat and calories than other types of meat. Eating it regularly can help you lose weight, especially when you swap it out for fattier meats like beef or pork.

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