Easy Lemon Basil Chicken Salad Recipe
This Easy Lemon Basil Chicken Salad is a refreshing and light dish perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy snack. Combining shredded chicken with fresh basil, zesty lemon, and a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, this salad offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. It’s simple to prepare and can be served immediately or chilled for later use, making it a versatile and delicious option.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Chicken Salad
- 2 cups shredded chicken (store bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1–2 celery stalks, finely diced
Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Prep the salad. Add the shredded chicken, finely diced red onion, and celery to a large bowl. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the dressing.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, chopped fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Toss. Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetables in the large bowl. Mix gently but thoroughly until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing. Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve. Serve the chicken salad immediately with your favorite crackers or use it as a sandwich filling with your preferred bread. Alternatively, cover and refrigerate the salad until ready to serve.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly shredded chicken, either from a rotisserie chicken or homemade boiled chicken breasts.
- You can adjust the amount of lemon juice and zest based on your preferred level of citrus flavor.
- Chilling the salad for 30 minutes before serving enhances the flavors.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, you may reduce the mayonnaise or replace it entirely with Greek yogurt.
- Add-ins such as chopped walnuts or sliced grapes make delicious variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken salad, lemon basil chicken salad, easy chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, quick lunch recipe, basil chicken salad, low carb salad