Best Chicken Salad Ever!

Happy Monday Morning Friends!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I sure did! It was beautiful and sunny here, so I spent most of the weekend outside working on my garden and reading. My garden is really coming along! I even have some baby strawberries coming out! It is SO exciting!! I can’t wait to be able to make a meal with ingredients fresh from my backyard. I also spent much of the weekend tearing through the Marriage Pact. Have you guys read this book yet? I am about halfway through, so don’t ruin it! I am loving it so far-so much drama! Perfect beach backyard read.

Ok back to the real reason I am so happy today…I have a heaping scoop of this chicken salad for lunch! Yipee! As my husband and I munched on this yesterday afternoon (with tortilla chips-so good!) I thought to myself, “why don’t I make more chicken salad? It is quick, easy, and healthy. Yep, you heard me right, healthy. I know when you think chicken salad you automatically think some super mayo-y mush laden with fat and calories. While this might sound good to some people (Dad, I’m looking at you! ) it’s not exactly the healthiest lunch/snack/dinner.

This version has TONS of flavor and wayyyy fewer calories and almost no fat. How did I do it you ask? Simple. By using the most glorious ingredient on the planet…Greek yogurt. I have often spoke of my love for Greek yogurt, but seriously guy, this stuff is awesome. Not only does it give you all the creamy goodness you want in a chicken salad, but it adds a nice tangy flavor as well. Trust me, if you think you can’t have a tasty and healthy chicken salad, you thought wrong! Oh and don’t worry Dad, I did use a little bit of mayo too! (but only a little!)

One of the best parts of chicken salad is the texture. You get the soft chicken, the creamy mayo greek yogurt, and the crunchy celery. I upped the crunch in this version by adding chopped cucumber and instead of traditional red onion, I used scallions. No one likes raw red onion after taste after lunch right? You never know when your boss might call you into a meeting or a cute co-worker might stop by your office!

The other secret ingredient in this salad is tarragon. It is the perfect favor enhancer for chicken in general and especially, chicken salad. I learned this trick from Ina, and she is never wrong.

This recipe is super simple and comes together in just a few minutes. Chop up all your veggies, shred or chop 2 poached chicken breasts and throw it all into a bowl. Add your greek yogurt, mayo (you really do need a little mayo here for flavor and texture, but the key word is little!), and a squeeze of lemon. Then just mix it up!

So simple and so delicious! Serve with tortilla chips, celery, open faced on a baguette, or between two toasted pieces of whole grain bread (how I am eating it for lunch!). It’s fabulous with crunchy butter lettuce or plain. I’m telling you, this is fantastic, try it for yourself and see! What’s your favorite way to eat chicken salad??

Enjoy!