Refreshing Summer Chicken Salad (Keto, Low-Carb & Easy Meal Prep!)
Brighten up your lunch with this Refreshing Summer Chicken Salad! This vibrant, creamy salad combines tender chicken breast with crisp celery and green onions, tangy unsweetened cranberries, crunchy mixed nuts, and fresh dill, all bound in a light, flavorful dressing. It’s a quick, easy, low-carb, high-protein, and gluten-free meal perfect for warm weather or meal prepping!
Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 (10-ounce) cans chicken breast, thoroughly drained and shredded (or 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast)
- ½ cup celery, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup green onions, thinly sliced (both white and green parts)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat, check for no added sugar)
- ¼ cup sour cream (full-fat recommended)
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- ½ cup unsweetened dried cranberries (KETO NOTE: Crucial to use unsweetened and in moderation, as cranberries still contain natural sugars)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
Instructions:
- Prepare Chicken: If using canned chicken, ensure it is very well drained. You can even press it in a sieve or squeeze it with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Shred the chicken into small, uniform pieces. If using cooked chicken, shred it finely.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the prepared chicken breast, chopped celery, and sliced green onions.
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard powder, and fresh chopped dill.
- Add the unsweetened dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, chopped pecans, and sliced almonds.
- Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Mix Thoroughly: Mix all ingredients together with a spoon or spatula until completely combined and the dressing evenly coats all components.
- Chill (Optional, but Recommended): For best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve & Enjoy! Serve the Summer Chicken Salad in low-carb tortillas (check for keto-friendly brands), over a bed of crisp lettuce (such as romaine or butter lettuce), in lettuce cups, or simply enjoy with a spoon. Enjoy this refreshing and satisfying meal!
Tips for Success:
- Drain Chicken Well: This is important for preventing a watery chicken salad.
- Unsweetened Cranberries are Key: Regular dried cranberries are loaded with sugar. You must use unsweetened varieties. Even then, cranberries have natural sugars, so consume in moderation if strictly tracking carbs.
- Fresh Dill: Fresh dill makes a big difference in flavor compared to dried.
- Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: Opt for full-fat versions and always check mayonnaise labels for no added sugar.
- Nut Variety: The combination of walnuts, pecans, and almonds adds fantastic texture and healthy fats. Feel free to use just one or two types if preferred.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you find the unsweetened cranberries too tart, you can add a tiny pinch of your preferred low-carb powdered sweetener (like Swerve or erythritol) to the dressing.
- Serving Versatility: Suggest serving options like lettuce wraps, celery sticks, cucumber slices, or alongside keto crackers.
Storage: Store the Summer Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s best enjoyed chilled.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
THigh Protein: Yes, from the chicken.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is low-carb. However, the unsweetened dried cranberries are the main potential carb contributor. While unsweetened, they still contain natural fruit sugars, so portion control is key for strict keto.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly, but with a strong caveat regarding cranberries.
- Unsweetened Dried Cranberries: This is the critical ingredient. Users must understand that even unsweetened dried cranberries have natural sugars and are more concentrated than fresh. They should be used in moderation and factored into daily carb limits. For very strict keto, some might omit them or use a tiny amount as a garnish.
- Mayonnaise: Full-fat, no added sugar.
- Sour Cream: Full-fat.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans chicken breast 10 ounce cans drained
- 1/2 cup celery chopped
- 1/3 cup green onions chopped
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Instructions on how to prepare summer chicken salad:
- Mix together all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl until completely combined.
- Serve in low carb tortilla or over a bed of lettuce.
Enjoy!
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