When you have cooked chicken or turkey on hand and need a quick lunch, try this easy 5-Ingredient Chicken Salad that is paleo, dairy-free, and Whole30. This healthy and tasty recipe can be made in just about 10 minutes. Serve it in a variety of ways.

5-ingredient chicken salad in a wooden bowl.

I think you are going to love the tangy and bright flavors of this clean eating chicken salad.

It’s perfect in the wintertime when you want something fresh and light, or you can serve it in warmer weather when it’s nice to eat cold foods.

I love it as an alternative to my Copycat Costco Chicken Salad recipe.

Why You Need to Make This Recipe

  • This healthy Chicken Salad is full of flavor, with only five simple ingredients.  If you have cooked chicken on hand, you can literally make this salad in 10 minutes or less. Try my Costco Copycat Air Fryer Whole Chicken or Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Breast for easy ways to cook chicken.
  • You can also use leftover turkey for this recipe (see how I make Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin).
  • If you want to make this salad for a party, then you’ll need to double or triple the recipe.

Key Ingredients

photo with ingredients for healthy chicken salad.
  • Cooked and shredded chicken or turkey makes the base of this healthy protein salad. You’ll need about a cup of chicken for two servings.
  • Mayonnaise adds creaminess with no dairy. Just look for a Whole30-certified brand to avoid any sugars or other unwanted ingredients.
  • Grapes add a touch of sweetness to the salad. You can use green or red grapes.
  • Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and a fresh flavor.
  • Dill is always a welcome addition to any salad. In this chicken salad, I think it’s just divine. You can use dried dill if you don’t have fresh dill on hand (or see my list of Substitutes for Dill). If you don’t like dill, then check out my recipe for Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad. Or, for a spicy version try my Southwestern Chicken Salad!

Please see the full recipe card at the end of this post for the exact measurements.

Recipe Steps

collage with how to make healthy chicken salad.

Step One

Prep your salad by slicing your grapes in half.

Step Two

Juice your lemon.

Step Three

Next, combine everything in a medium mixing bowl or large bowl, including the shredded or cubed chicken or turkey, mayo, and dill.

You can also cut your chicken into small pieces if you don’t want to shred it.

Step Four

Mix your ingredients well and serve immediately.

Or, cover the bowl and chill the salad to serve later.

I hope you agree that this is the ultimate chicken salad recipe with just a few ingredients.

chicken salad all mixed up in bowl.

Recipe Tips

  • You can easily double or triple this recipe for additional servings.
  • Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chopped celery. If you like spicy flavors, you can also add 1/4 teaspoon of dijon mustard (see my favorite celery substitute or Dijon mustard replacement).
  • You can also substitute sliced apple for the grapes, if you prefer.
  • Don’t worry if you don’t have the exact ingredients that I used. You can always leave out the grapes or the dill, and or substitute a chopped apple and fresh parsley. I also like adding red onion or green onions. Or, try other fresh herbs like cilantro.
  • If you are really short on time, you can buy an already-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Just shred the chicken and use it in this clean eating chicken salad. Try to avoid using canned chicken as the flavor won’t be as fresh.

Recipe FAQs

How do you serve chicken salad?

There are so many ways to enjoy chicken salad. You can serve it on a bed of greens or fresh lettuce leaves (butter and romaine work great), with crackers or gluten-free toast, on cucumber slices or sweet potato toast for grain-free options, or just plain eaten with a fork or a spoon.

How long does chicken salad last?

Depending on how long it’s been since the chicken was cooked, chicken salad will last about 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Try to use chicken breasts cooked from scratch for your leftover chicken salad.

Is chicken salad good for meal prep?

Yes! It’s one of my favorite recipes to serve in different ays throughout the week.

What can I use instead of mayo in a classic chicken salad recipe?

You could always use Greek yogurt or sour cream but then the recipe won’t be dairy-free.

chicken salad with dill and grapes in a pretty white bowl with scalloped edges.

More Healthy Salad Recipes You Might Like

Or, check out my entire index of clean eating salads.

Don’t Miss These Yummy Salad Recipes

Costco Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad (High Protein, Low Carb)

Whole Foods Curry Chicken Salad (Copycat)

Avocado Mango Shrimp Salad Recipe (High-Protein)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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healthy chicken salad in bowl

5-Ingredient Healthy Chicken Salad (Dairy-Free)

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5 from 5 reviews

Print Recipe

When you have cooked chicken or turkey on hand and need a quick lunch, try this easy 5-Ingredient Chicken Salad that is paleo, dairy-free, and Whole30. This healthy and tasty recipe can be made in just about 10 minutes. Serve it plain, with greens, or in a wrap.

  • Total Time: 11 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken, from about 1 large cooked chicken breasts or 2 medium chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup red or green grapes, sliced in half
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon prepared mayonnaise (I like the Primal Kitchen brand)

Instructions

  1. Combine the chicken, grapes, dill, lemon juice, and mayonnaise in a medium glass bowl.
  2. Use a spatula to gently mix the ingredients together, until the chicken is coated with the mayonnaise.
  3. Serve cold or at room temperature. 

Notes

  1. You can easily double or triple this recipe for additional servings.
  2. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  3. Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chopped celery. If you like spicy flavors, you can also add 1/4 teaspoon of dijon mustard.
  4. You can also substitute sliced apple for the grapes, if you prefer.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe
  • Calories: 213
  • Sugar: 3.2 g
  • Sodium: 110.6 mg
  • Fat: 8.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5.7 g
  • Fiber: 0.6 g
  • Protein: 28.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 76 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.