Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (No Mayo, Easy to Make)

This fresh and healthy Chicken Salad without Mayo comes together in no time and offers a lighter twist on the classic chicken salad you know and love! Use rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken you have handy to make it even easier. 😊

This no-mayo chicken salad is fantastic for meal prep. Use it for a quick lunch in wraps or sandwiches, or a protein-packed dinner any night of the week. Sometimes I even enjoy it as a snack with crunchy veggies or crackers when I’m on the go.

Take a peek at the video below where I walk you through this Rotisserie Chicken Salad recipe step by step! And don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card for all the details.

If you want a lighter, protein-packed twist on regular chicken salad, this no-mayo recipe is just the thing. Greek yogurt replaces the mayo, giving you that creamy texture without the extra fat. Then I add crunchy celery and walnuts, juicy grapes for a touch of sweetness, and a splash of bright lemon juice along with tangy Dijon mustard for a flavor boost. Plus, it comes together super fast when you use rotisserie or leftover chicken. Perfect for lunch on the run, sandwiches, wraps, or even meal prep.

Keep scrolling for a quick how-to video, easy-to-follow ingredient tips and substitutions, step-by-step photos, serving suggestions, tasty variations, storage and meal prep advice, nutrition facts, and some FAQs so you can tweak this recipe to fit your family’s tastes.

What Makes It Great

This chicken salad is a lifesaver if you want something light, quick, and full of protein. Greek yogurt swaps out traditional mayo, giving it a creamy bite but lighter and healthier for you. Plus, it’s ready in minutes if you grab rotisserie or leftover chicken from your fridge.

• Light yet creamy: Greek yogurt adds tangy creaminess with less saturated fat than mayo.
• Packed with protein and nutrients: Chicken provides lean protein and B vitamins; Greek yogurt brings protein, calcium, and vitamin D; walnuts add omega-3s for heart and brain health.
• Fast and simple meal prep: Chop what you need, whisk the dressing, toss it all together — done! Ideal for power lunches, sandwiches, wraps, or salad toppers.
• Flexible and easy to customize: Swap grapes for apples, dried cranberries, or dates. Add avocado for richness or swap dairy yogurt for plant-based options if you prefer. Craving a bolder, briny twist? Try our Dill Pickle Chicken Salad.
• Family and diet friendly: Naturally gluten-free, and you can tweak it for low-carb, dairy-free, or a bit of heat to please the whole family. For a fully plant-based lunch with the same bright flavors, see this Quick Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 cups shredded chicken (280g), I use store-bought rotisserie chicken
• 2 stalks celery, chopped (60g), about ½ cup chopped
• ¼ cup red onion, chopped (30g), or ¼ red onion
• ½ cup grapes, quartered
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (5g), about 2 tablespoon chopped
• 2 tablespoon walnuts, chopped (15g), or nut of choice
• ½ cup Greek yogurt (~120g), I use nonfat but use any you prefer
• 1-2 Tbsp Dijon mustard (15-30g), start with 1 and add to taste up to 2
• 1 large lemon, juiced (30ml), about 3.5 Tbsp
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (more to taste)

How to Make It

1. Shred or chop the chicken, celery, red onion, grapes, walnuts, and parsley.
2. If desired, pulse the chicken a few times in a food processor to shred it faster.
3. Whisk Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper in the bottom of a large bowl to make the dressing.

4. Add the shredded chicken and chopped celery, red onion, grapes, walnuts, and parsley to the bowl and toss until everything is well coated.

5. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, extra Dijon, or additional Greek yogurt to reach desired flavor and creaminess.

   

Serving Ideas & Pro Tips

• Chicken Salad Sandwich – Load up your favorite sandwich bread with a couple of big scoops of this chicken salad along with some romaine lettuce and sliced tomatoes for a classic combo.
• Chicken Salad Wrap – Wrap it up in a whole wheat tortilla with some fresh arugula or baby spinach, add a few spoonfuls of chicken salad, and roll it tight. Perfect for lunches on the go.
• With Your Favorite Crackers or Chips – This mayo-free chicken salad pairs wonderfully with crunchy seed crackers or crispbread as a quick snack.
• Lettuce Wrap or on a Bed of Greens – For an easy low-carb option, serve the chicken salad wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves or spooned over mixed greens.
• With Your Favorite Sides – Pair it with a simple green salad and some roasted sweet potato cubes for a well-rounded meal.

• Again, use chicken you really like the flavor of! I often rely on pre-cooked rotisserie chicken because it saves so much time.
• Make sure to taste and season with salt as you go. If you want a creamier chicken salad, just add more Greek yogurt and extra Dijon mustard to your liking.
• Serve it with crunchy crackers or layer it inside your favorite bread for a comforting sandwich experience.

Dietitian tip

It might sound simple, but I can’t stress enough how helpful it is to have quick, protein-packed lunches prepped and waiting for you, especially on those busy days — options like Chickpea, Beet & Feta Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette hold up well for make-ahead meals. When you swap out mayo, which is high in saturated fat, for Greek yogurt, you’re not just making the salad healthier — you’re adding fresh, tangy flavor and creamy texture that makes mealtime something to look forward to. Using rotisserie chicken here keeps it super easy and fuss-free — it’s also perfect in Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup for another quick meal. Trust me, it’s a game changer!

It sounds simple, but it’s amazing how much having easy, healthy lunches prepped makes sticking with your nutrition goals way easier — especially when the schedule is packed. Plus, recipes that taste wonderful keep mealtime joyful! Swapping mayo for nutrient-packed Greek yogurt isn’t just a health move—it makes this salad fresh and creamy too. Using rotisserie chicken saves extra time and keeps things simple!

It might sound simple, but I can’t stress enough how helpful it is to have quick, protein-packed lunches prepped and waiting for you, especially on those busy days. When you swap out mayo, which is high in saturated fat, for Greek yogurt, you’re not just making the salad healthier — you’re adding fresh, tangy flavor and creamy texture that makes mealtime something to look forward to. Using rotisserie chicken here keeps it super easy and fuss-free. Trust me, it’s a game changer!

Flavor Twists & Add-Ins

The best part about this chicken salad? It’s super easy to make it your own. Here are some fun twists to try—or, for a richer, mix-in–loaded version, see our Million Dollar Chicken Salad—and go ahead and get creative with what you like in your kitchen!

• Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad – Mash in half an avocado for extra creaminess, fiber, and potassium. A ripe avocado really amps up the flavor and makes this even more satisfying.
• Fancy – Brighten things up with a splash of apple cider vinegar and a drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil. Top with green onions or fresh dill for a fresh, herby finish.
• Dairy Free – Swap Greek yogurt for your favorite plant-based alternative like coconut, cashew, or almond milk yogurt to keep it creamy but dairy-free.
• Spicy – Like a little heat? Stir in some chili flakes or a touch of sriracha to give this chicken salad a spicy kick.
• Salty/Briny – Add chopped dill pickles (try these spicy garlic dill pickles) or olives for a briny punch. I love green manzanilla olives here, but kalamata or black olives work just as well.

Storage, Make-Ahead, and Leftovers

• Meal Prep – Chop your chicken and veggies ahead of time and mix up the dressing so lunchtime assembling is a breeze! For crunch that keeps well, prep a batch of easy homemade croutons and add them right before serving.
• Refrigerator – Keep any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge where it will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. Turn chilled leftovers into quick wraps by rolling them in warm homemade corn tortillas.

Common Questions Answered

Is this Chicken Salad without Mayo healthy?

“Healthy” means different things to everyone, but this chicken salad is loaded with nutrients. It offers lean protein from the chicken and protein plus calcium from the Greek yogurt, along with antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and magnesium from the extra ingredients. Walnuts contribute omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health. Overall, it’s a nutrient-rich, satisfying option. If you enjoy using Greek yogurt for higher-protein swaps, try these Greek yogurt blueberry protein muffins.

Do I have to use rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely not! Rotisserie chicken is just my go-to for convenience and flavor. You can use any cooked chicken that you like, whether it’s leftover from the night before or chicken you’ve cooked yourself.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those avoiding gluten. For a gluten-free side, serve it with Brazilian Cheese Bread.