This Easy Creamy Keto Chicken Salad is a tasty dish that’s perfect for a quick meal. With tender chicken, crunchy veggies, and a rich creamy dressing, it’s both satisfying and low-carb!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cooked Chicken Breast: Make sure your chicken is cooked and shredded. You can use store-bought rotisserie chicken for ease, or cook your own. If you need a vegetarian option, try using chickpeas or tofu, although it will change the flavor and texture a bit.
Mayonnaise: Full-fat mayo is great for keto, but if you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use avocado mayo, which is also rich and creamy. If you’re avoiding eggs, look for vegan mayonnaise.
Sour Cream: This adds a nice tanginess. If unavailable, Greek yogurt can be a good substitute for a similar consistency, but it’s not as thick. You could also skip it altogether for a less creamy salad.
Fresh Dill: Dill gives a bright flavor. If you don’t have fresh, you can use dried dill, but use less since dried herbs are more concentrated. Alternatively, parsley can also work in a pinch.
How Do I Make Sure the Chicken Salad is Creamy?
To ensure that your chicken salad is perfectly creamy, focus on the dressing. Here are a few tips:
- Start with a good base. Mixing mayo and sour cream creates that desired creaminess; you can always adjust to taste.
- Add the chicken a bit at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to fully coat the chicken.
- If the salad seems a bit dry, feel free to mix in additional mayo or sour cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Chilling the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes helps flavors meld and enhance creaminess!
Easy Creamy Keto Chicken Salad
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (preferably full-fat, keto-friendly)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp red onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: paprika or chili powder for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious chicken salad takes about 10-15 minutes to prepare. It’s quick to mix everything together, and if you let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes, the flavors will really meld beautifully. Enjoy it right away or keep it for later!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Making the Creamy Dressing:
Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. In this bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and your choice of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Stir it all together well until it’s creamy and smooth. This is the base for your delicious dressing!
2. Add the Chicken and Veggies:
Next, it’s time to add the shredded chicken, finely chopped celery, diced red onion, and the fresh dill to the bowl. Gently fold everything together until the chicken and veggies are completely coated in that creamy dressing. This coating is what makes it feel rich and tasty!
3. Seasoning to Taste:
Now, grab your salt and pepper! Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference. If you want it creamier, feel free to fold in more mayo or sour cream, tasting as you go.
4. Presentation and Serving:
Once everything is mixed and seasoned to your liking, transfer the chicken salad into a serving bowl. You can garnish it with extra dill and a sprinkle of paprika or chili powder to make it look even more delicious!
5. Chill and Enjoy:
Finally, for the best flavor, let your chicken salad chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors blend and make for a refreshing dish. Enjoy it as a salad, in crunchy lettuce wraps, or with low-carb crackers. Yum!
Enjoy this rich, easy-to-make, and satisfying keto-friendly chicken salad that’s creamy with a nice balance of crunch and freshness!
FAQs About Easy Creamy Keto Chicken Salad
Can I Use Leftover Chicken for This Salad?
Absolutely! Leftover cooked chicken is perfect for this recipe. Just make sure it’s shredded and can be incorporated easily into the salad. If it’s cold from the fridge, it will make the salad even more refreshing!
How Long Will This Chicken Salad Last in the Fridge?
Your chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before serving again, and if it seems dry, you can mix in a bit more mayo or sour cream.
Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! This salad is a great make-ahead option. Prepare it the night before and let it chill in the fridge. It allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even tastier when you’re ready to serve.
What Can I Use Instead of Mayonnaise?
If you’re looking for an alternative to mayonnaise, consider using avocado mayo for a creamy and healthy substitution. You could also use Greek yogurt, but note that it will give a different flavor and texture.
