Keto Chicken Salad
This Keto Chicken Salad is creamy, savory, and ready in about 10 minutes with tender chicken, feta, red onion, and a simple Dijon mayo dressing. It’s an easy low-carb lunch that comes together with just a handful of ingredients.
What I like most about this chicken salad is how well it works for make-ahead lunches. The creamy dressing holds everything together, while the feta and red onion add enough flavor that the salad still tastes fresh and satisfying after chilling.
If you love simple sides like this, you can find more cozy potatoes, rice, salads, and easy dinner sides in my Side Dish Recipes collection.
What You’ll Need for Keto Chicken Salad
You only need a few simple ingredients for this creamy chicken salad. The combination of chicken, feta, red onion, and Dijon dressing gives it plenty of flavor without making the recipe complicated.
- Chicken breast: Tender cooked chicken keeps the salad light and easy to mix. Chicken thighs also work if you prefer a richer flavor.
- Feta cheese: Adds salty, tangy flavor and a creamy texture throughout the salad.
- Mayonnaise: Creates the rich, creamy base for the dressing.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a little sharpness and balances the richness of the mayonnaise.
- Fresh garlic: Gives the dressing extra savory flavor without overpowering the salad.
Exact ingredient amounts are in the recipe card below.
If you enjoy cozy, creamy dinners like we do, you might also like my Creamy Mustard Chicken Thighs, this simple Mushroom Salad, or my comforting Easy Chicken Goulash.
How to Make Keto Chicken Salad
Cook the chicken. Gently simmer the chicken breast in water for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Let it rest for a few minutes, then chop or shred it into bite-size pieces.
Prep the add-ins. Finely chop the red onion and parsley, then add them to a medium bowl with the cooked chicken. Crumble the feta over the top.
Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and minced garlic until smooth and creamy.
Combine the salad. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Serve right away, or chill for about 1 hour if you prefer the flavors more settled.
The salad is ready to serve. Cool, creamy, and exactly what you want when you don’t feel like cooking much.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overcook the chicken. Cook it just until done, then let it rest briefly before chopping or shredding so it stays tender.
- Let the chicken cool before mixing. Warm chicken can loosen the mayonnaise dressing and make the salad softer than you want.
- Chill for deeper flavor. The salad is good right away, but about 1 hour in the refrigerator gives the feta, onion, and Dijon dressing more time to come together.
- Adjust the creaminess at the end. If the salad feels a little dry after chilling, stir in an extra spoonful of mayonnaise before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add avocado. Fold in a little diced avocado for an extra creamy texture.
- Add hard-boiled eggs. Chopped eggs make the salad a little heartier and work especially well for lunch.
- Add bacon. A small handful of crisp chopped bacon adds extra savory flavor and crunch.
- Add celery. Finely chopped celery gives the salad a fresh, crisp texture.
- Make it spicy. Stir a little buffalo sauce into the dressing for a mild kick.
- Use chicken thighs. Cooked boneless chicken thighs work well if you prefer a richer, juicier chicken salad.
Storage and Make-Ahead
Store leftover keto chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, and add a small spoonful of mayonnaise if the dressing has thickened or the salad seems a little dry.
This is also a great make-ahead recipe. You can prepare it a few hours in advance and keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make keto chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can make it a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. The flavor actually improves a little after the salad has had time to chill.
Why is my chicken salad watery?
Make sure the cooked chicken has cooled and is not holding excess moisture before mixing it with the dressing. If needed, blot it lightly with a paper towel before chopping.
What can I add if the chicken salad seems dry?
Stir in an extra spoonful of mayonnaise until the texture is as creamy as you like. A small amount is usually enough, especially after the salad has been chilled.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes. Cooked boneless chicken thighs work well and give the salad a slightly richer, juicier texture.
Keto Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. 450 g chicken breast
- 1 small red onion finely chopped
- Fresh parsley chopped
- 3 oz. 70 g feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp. mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
Instructions
- Gently simmer the chicken breast in water for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Let it rest for a few minutes, then chop or shred into bite-size pieces.
- Finely chop the red onion and parsley.
- Add the cooked chicken, red onion, and parsley to a medium bowl. Crumble the feta over the top.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and minced garlic until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve right away, or chill for about 1 hour if you prefer the flavors more settled.
Notes
