It's a healthy chicken salad recipe that's nutritious, easy to make, deliciously infused with extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, and lime juice, and then packed with sweet shallots and healthy herbs.

Enjoy as-is, or top it with some add-ons like creamy avocado or hard cheese bits, or make it into a healthy low-carb version of the classic chicken salad sandwich!

Either make this recipe with juicy and tender shredded chicken you prepare at home for planning any weeknight meals or use leftover chicken (preferably a combo of white and dark meat—see recipe note).

A large deep wooden bowl filled with shredded chicken salad with chopped cilantro, chopped parsley, olive oil, sliced shallots, salt and pepper, cubed avocado, and cubed hard cheese.

There is only one chicken salad that I remember growing up with. It's the one where all the soft meat is removed from the bones of a poached whole chicken (see recipe note) and then deliciously infused with olive oil (because that's how my Italian grandma did it) and tossed in a salad bowl with fresh herbs and onions.

It guarantees succulent and flavorful tender chicken and is a great way to plan or meal prep your healthy lunches or any light dinners for the week.

You can also easily replicate this recipe with any leftovers from roasted bone-in, skin-on whole chicken, or chicken breasts (or whatever parts you like) to avoid dry chicken meat.

First, I loosely shred the meat by hand before dressing it up with a quality extra virgin olive oil and then complement it with sweet, thinly sliced shallots and aromatic fresh herbs. A bit of lime juice lifts the whole dish amongst simple seasonings such as a few sea salt pinches and cracked black peppercorns.

It's definitely a traditional no-mayo chicken salad and one so worth making if you love those fresh and hearty Mediterranean flavors.

Ingredients and a few notes

A display of ingredients such as Extra virgin olive oil, a black pepper corn mill, shallots, sea salt, shredded cooked chicken, a fresh lime, and fresh cilantro leaves.

Lime—Although lime juice imparts a unique, refreshing element to the salad, don't sweat it if you have to replace it with lemon juice. It's maybe just a tad sweeter but still deliciously citrusy and adds a nice balance to the salty flavors and oily texture.

Cilantro—My grandmother always used Parsley, but over the years I've added cilantro to the mix and use it more often now as the main herb. Choose whatever you like best or maybe even mix in a bit of both.

Shallots—It's my favorite onion in this homemade chicken salad. They add a deliciously sweet and mellow oniony flavor. But you could just as well use finely sliced red onions or finely chopped green onions, especially if you enjoy a punchier taste.

Optional add-ons

A wooden board with fresh ingredients such as parsley leaves, cubed avocado, cilantro leaves, fresh basil leaves, cubed hard cheese, and sprigs of Rosemary.

Turn this into more of a salad with chicken rather than a chicken salad by

Adding more parsley and/or cilantro than suggested;
Throwing in a few chopped Basil leaves and fresh Rosemary (highly suggested);
And topping it off with creamy avocado and a more aged hardy cheese;
Sometimes, I even throw in small red cherry tomatoes or serve them on the side (perfect for when you want to make a chicken sandwich).

Make it a low carb chicken sandwich

A small plate with Keto bread topped with healthy chicken salad infused with fresh chopped cilantro, parsley, avocado, hard cheese, and sliced shallots, and seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

A wooden board topped with two chicken sandwiches and small red tomatoes and cubed hard cheese randomly spread on the side.

If you're looking for a simple light dinner option, then make chicken salad sandwiches. Add some extra olive oil on crusted bread and half a cup of the salad on top. Sprinkle it with crushed red pepper flakes if you enjoy some heat or extra freshly cracked black pepper.

You still can keep it healthy, low carb, and super simple if you wish to do so by opting for frozen bread brands that are either sprouted, gluten-free, or even suitable for Keto-diets, and you can quickly pop into a toaster.

At home, I sometimes enjoy the organic Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Sesame Burger Buns
Or a slice of Kiss my keto bread;
Or serve it on large sweet Romaine lettuce—my favorite.

Storage

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge (without any added avocado) for up to 5 days.

Other serving ideas

It's one of those dishes that really pairs well with any green salad (it's time to post some of my favorite recipes on the blog soon) or a simple vegetable side to make it a more substantial but still light meal.

But besides serving it as a lighter dinner, it's a perfect potluck dish to bring and share with a larger group. A crusty baguette makes a great add-on for this homemade chicken salad.

Or pair it with a refreshing mango salad during warm summer months for outdoor dining in your backyard or this cucumber avocado quinoa salad.

And for colder days, serve it with a warm cup of savory broth or Stracciatella soup (posted soon on the blog—I promise)

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Healthy Homemade Chicken Salad (Easy + Low Carb)

Ingredients and a few notes

Optional add-ons

Make it a low carb chicken sandwich

Storage

Other serving ideas