3 EASY CHICKEN SALAD RECIPES FOR MACRO-FRIENDLY MEAL PREP
Chicken salad is hands down one of the easiest ways I add protein to my day and prep lunches that offer variety while also staying simple. It’s perfect for meal prep, packs well for on-the-go days, and can be eaten in so many ways - on toast, with crackers, in a wrap, or as part of an adult lunchable. It’s high in protein, super versatile, and endlessly customizable based on what you’ve got in the fridge.
The base for these 3 simple chicken salad recipes is shredded chicken. You can use:
Store-bought rotisserie chicken (hello, convenience)
Or our go-to: KLN Crockpot Shredded Chicken
This crockpot chicken is a weekly staple in our house. I like the slow cooker version because it turns out juicier and easier to shred, but you can totally use a pressure cooker if you’re short on time. Either way, it gives you a protein-packed base that makes putting together lunches (or last-minute dinners) ridiculously easy.
Note: the prep time in the recipes below does not count cooking the chicken.
QUICK PICKLE CHICKEN SALAD
PREP TIME: 10 minutes || Makes 5 servings
WHAT YOU NEED:
400g shredded chicken
200g chopped dill pickles
100g plain nonfat greek yogurt
40g light mayonnaise
40g dijon mustard
¼ red onion, diced
Fresh dill and parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
NOTES:
Enjoy this dill pickle chicken salad with a side of salty chips or on top of a bed of greens and quinoa.
If you don’t have fresh dill and/or parsley, some ranch seasoning can serve to add some good flavor! If using ranch seasoning, you most likely don’t need any more added salt.
The nutrition data below uses crock-pot shredded chicken breast. If using rotisserie chicken, fat intake would be just a bit higher.
WHAT TO DO:
Chop dill pickles and dice red onions
Add your shredded chicken to a large bowl. Mix in the yogurt, mayo, dijon, and chopped pickles and red onions until evenly distributed. Chop fresh herbs and mix in, then season to taste.
MACROS PER SERVING: 27P/5.5F/5C
You can find the recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching “KLN Recipe Quick Pickle Chicken Salad ”.
GREEN CHICKEN SALAD
PREP TIME: 10 minutes || Makes 5 servings
WHAT YOU NEED:
400g shredded chicken
100g plain nonfat greek yogurt
20g light mayonnaise
50g basil pesto
1 TB of lemon juice
Optional: 1TB olive juice
Salt and pepper to taste
NOTES:
I love this chicken salad served in a wrap or on a pita with some arugula.
This is the base, but it needs a bit of extra add-ins for some added flavor and texture! I like adding sundried tomatoes, chopped celery, green onions, crushed pistachios, or olives (or some combo of all of those!)
The nutrition data below uses crock-pot shredded chicken breast. If using rotisserie chicken, fat intake would be just a bit higher.
WHAT TO DO:
Add your shredded chicken to a large bowl. Mix in the yogurt, mayo, acid, and pesto until evenly distributed, then season to taste (I like a lot of pepper and just a pinch of salt!). Mix in any add-ins.
MACROS PER SERVING: 27P/7F/2C
You can find the recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching “KLN Recipe Green Chicken Salad”
CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD
PREP TIME: 10 minutes || Makes 4 servings
*NOTE: this recipe makes 4 larger servings
WHAT YOU NEED:
400 g Shredded chicken
200 g Plain 2% Greek yogurt
40 g Lime juice
15 g Curry powder
20 g Honey
40 g Green onions, diced
200 g Celery, diced
120 g Carrot, shredded
60 g Dried cranberries
Salt
NOTES:
The nutrition data below uses crock-pot shredded chicken breast. If using rotisserie chicken, fat intake would be just a bit higher.
Please note that this recipe makes four larger servings, as it’s a recipe from our macro-friendly salad cookbook, Going Green.
This recipe is one we love to enjoy as a wrap in butter lettuce but could also be the delicious filling for a sandwich or wrap.
WHAT TO DO:
Whisk together greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, and curry powder in a bowl.
Fold in the shredded chicken, green onions, celery, carrots, and cranberries.
Season with salt to taste and chill before serving in lettuce wraps.
MACROS PER SERVING: 38P/4F/29C
You can find the recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching “KLN Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad”.
Our KLN Blog recently won the distinction of one of the 25 Best Macro-Friendly Food Websites and we’re proud to be among other great macro-friendly sites that we love!
Find more macro-friendly recipes here or grab our free cookbook Everyday Macros here for simple and streamlined meal prep recipes and ideas.