Creamy Keto Chicken Salad
Tender chicken folded into a creamy, herby mayo dressing with celery and green onion. A make-ahead lunch that works in lettuce cups or on its own at 2 grams of net carbs.
The make-ahead lunch that never gets old
Chicken salad is the quiet workhorse of keto lunches. Cooked chicken, mayo, crunchy celery, and a few herbs come together into something creamy and satisfying that keeps for days. Eat it in lettuce cups, over greens, or straight from the bowl.
Rotisserie chicken makes this a five-minute job, but any cooked chicken works. The celery and green onion add crunch and freshness so the salad does not feel heavy, and a squeeze of lemon keeps it bright.
- Use a mix of white and dark meat for the best flavor
- Dice the celery small so every bite has crunch
- Let it chill so the dressing sets and the flavors meld
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Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (about 1 pound) (net carbs →)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (net carbs →)
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced (net carbs →)
- 2 green onions, sliced (net carbs →)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (net carbs →)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (net carbs →)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill (net carbs →)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (net carbs →)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1Place the cooked chicken in a large bowl.
- 2Add the mayonnaise, celery, green onions, lemon juice, and Dijon.
- 3Stir in the parsley and garlic powder, then fold everything together until evenly coated.
- 4Season with salt and pepper and taste, adjusting the lemon or mustard as you like.
- 5Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes so the flavors come together, then serve in lettuce cups or over greens.
Nutrition (per serving)
Recipe FAQ
How long does keto chicken salad last in the fridge?
In an airtight container, it keeps for three to four days, which makes it a great meal-prep option. Give it a stir before serving, and if it looks dry after a day or two, fold in a spoonful of extra mayo to bring back the creaminess.
What is the best way to serve it without bread?
Scoop it into lettuce cups, pile it onto cucumber slices, stuff it into an avocado half, or serve it over a bed of greens. Each keeps the carbs low while giving you something to hold or a fresh base to eat it from.
Can I add nuts or fruit and stay keto?
Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch and healthy fat with very few carbs, so they are a great addition. Grapes and dried cranberries, on the other hand, add a lot of sugar. If you miss that sweet note, a few diced strawberries in a small portion is a lower-carb compromise.
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