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Healthy Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

greek yogurt chicken salad with grapes and pecans - featured image

A creamy, tangy chicken salad made with Greek yogurt, juicy red grapes, and toasted pecans. Perfect for a quick lunch, meal prep, or potluck.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
  • ½ cup pecans, chopped and toasted
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 34 stalks green onion, sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: If using rotisserie chicken, remove skin and bones, then shred or dice into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups). If cooking your own, season two boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper, bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let cool completely before shredding.
  2. Toast the pecans: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add chopped pecans and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
  3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. If too thick, add a teaspoon of water or extra lemon juice.
  4. Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add shredded chicken, halved grapes, diced celery, sliced green onions, and chopped fresh dill. Pour dressing over the top and gently fold together with a rubber spatula. Be careful not to overmix.
  5. Fold in the pecans: Add cooled toasted pecans and fold gently. If making ahead, reserve pecans and add just before serving to keep them crunchy.
  6. Chill and rest: Cover bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows flavors to meld and dressing to thicken.
  7. Final adjustments: Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If salad seems dry after chilling, stir in a tablespoon or two of yogurt to refresh creaminess.

Notes

Don’t skip the chilling step—it allows flavors to meld and dressing to thicken. Toast pecans for best flavor and crunch. If making ahead, add pecans just before serving. For dairy-free, use thick unsweetened plant-based yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, Greek yogurt, grapes, pecans, healthy, meal prep, lunch