Herbed Chicken Salad: A Vibrant, Versatile Meal for Every Occasion

Herbed Chicken Salad

Introduction

Herbed Chicken Salad delivers a burst of fresh, vibrant flavors in every bite. Its combination of juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken with a medley of fresh herbs and crisp vegetables creates a light yet satisfying dish. Whether served as a classic sandwich, atop a bed of greens, or tucked inside lettuce wraps, this recipe is a reliable crowd pleaser that’s as versatile as it is delicious.

Fresh and Flavorful Herbed Chicken Salad

This recipe stands out for its harmony of flavors—fragrant herbs like parsley and dill partner with a zesty dressing and tender, seasoned chicken. The result is a salad that’s rich in taste but refreshingly light, making it perfect for picnics, meal prep, or a quick, healthy lunch any day of the week.

How to Prep the Best Herbed Chicken

For the ultimate herbed chicken, start with boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. After roasting or grilling until juicy, let the chicken rest before chopping or shredding. This resting time ensures maximum juiciness and allows the chicken to soak in the herbal flavors added during assembly.

Simple Assembly with Vibrant Accents

After chopping your cooled chicken, combine it with a mix of fresh herbs, crisp celery, and red onions. The dressing—a blend of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard—brings everything together with a tangy, creamy finish. Mix gently to coat without breaking down the chunks of chicken or bruising the herbs, keeping everything fresh and vibrant.

Serving Suggestions for Herbed Chicken Salad

Enjoy this salad as a sandwich on hearty multigrain bread, spooned into pita pockets, or tossed with chopped lettuce for a light entree salad. For an elegant touch, serve in halved avocados or as lettuce wraps. A sprinkle of extra herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving truly brightens up the dish.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 servings. Each serving generally contains around 280–320 calories, depending on your choice of dressing and the amount added. It’s protein packed, low in carbohydrates, and adaptable for gluten-free or keto meal plans.

Fresh and Flavorful Herbed Chicken Salad (Recap)

The perfect blend of tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and tangy dressing makes this salad a must try. Its flexible serving options and bright, fresh flavor make it an easy favorite for meals all week long.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast or thighs, chopped or shredded
1/3 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 stalk celery, diced
1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or more to taste)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon or basil, chopped
Optional garnish: sliced almonds, extra herbs, lemon wedges

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Combine Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  2. Add chopped or shredded chicken, celery, red onion, parsley, dill, and any optional herbs.
  3. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing.
  4. For extra flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Serve on bread, in lettuce wraps, or over salad greens. Garnish with extra herbs, sliced almonds, or a squeeze of lemon, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Herbed Chicken Salad is perfect for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal planner to automatically generate shopping lists and allocate prep times for effortless weekday lunches.

Planning Benefits:

  • Consolidates and totals overlapping ingredients from all your planned recipes
  • Sorts shopping lists by grocery store sections for faster errands
  • Avoids duplicate purchases and ensures nothing is left off your list
  • Simplifies weekly meal prep with organized, actionable lists

Pro tip: Schedule your week’s meals and the app will combine quantities—so if you’re using celery or herbs in multiple dishes, you’ll know exactly how much to buy, reducing waste and saving time.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes (if cooking chicken fresh; skip if using pre-cooked)
Total Time: 30 minutes (plus 30 minutes rest, optional for flavor melding)

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