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Chaffle Waffle Chicken Salad with lettuce and tomato
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4.72 from 21 votes

Keto Chicken Salad

A deliciously healthy lunch or light dinner, this Keto Chicken Salad recipe is made with crunchy pecans and fresh dill and can be made ahead of time! Serve with lettuce leaves, or on top of a salad, or make a sandwich with a chaffle for a healthy keto meal!
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 330kcal
Author: Kasey Trenum

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, pecans, celery, and onion (leaving out the paprika).
  • Add the mayo, mustard, lemon zest, herbs, and spices.
  • Toss to mix well.
  • Add a pinch of the paprika on top and garnish with more fresh parsley.
  • Serve over a salad, as a lettuce wrap, or on a chaffle.

Video

Notes

*This recipe can be made and stored in the fridge in a sealed Tupperware container for 3-4 days.
Ways to Cook Chicken
  • Baked Chicken: Bake bone-in chicken breasts or thighs at 400°F for 20-25 mins until 165°F internal temperature.
  • Poached Chicken: Simmer boneless breasts in broth for 8-10 mins until cooked through.
  • Rotisserie Chicken: Use a pre-cooked roasted chicken from the grocery store.
  • Grilled Chicken: Grill bone-in chicken on medium-high 5 mins per side until grill marks appear.
  • Instant Pot Chicken: Cook boneless breasts 6 mins manual high pressure then natural release 10 mins.
  • Crockpot Chicken: Add breasts and seasonings to slow cooker. Cook low for 4-6 hours until tender.
  • Pan Fried Chicken: Sear boneless breasts in olive oil over medium-high heat, turning once, until browned and 165°F internally.
How to Serve Keto Chicken Salad - Enjoy chicken salad loaded on leafy greens, between chaffles, 90-second bread, cloud bread for sandwiches, stuffed in avocados or peppers, or with cheese crackers for dipping. You can also use store-bought low-carb bread and crackers. 
Get creative with mix-ins like bacon, different herbs and spices, and substitutions such as tuna or egg salad.
Other keto chicken salad variations - You can change this recipe however you'd like by adding or substituting a few ingredients. Just keep the staples like the mayo, celery, seasoning, and the chicken! Here are some other ingredients you can add to your chicken salad:
  • fresh tarragon
  • fresh thyme
  • fresh chives
  • slivered almonds
  • chopped walnuts
  • cherry tomatoes
  • shredded cheese
  • diced avocado
Best type of chicken to use - I always have chicken cooked and pre-shredded in the freezer since many keto dinners call for it. (You can find  keto shredded chicken recipes here.) Making it ahead of time helps turn a recipe that usually takes hours into one that can be ready in less than 30 minutes.
Check out how I make shredded chicken using my crock pot. If you are short on time and can stop at the grocery store, you can also use a pre-roasted rotisserie chicken and shred that using two forks. Or you can chop it up using a knife.
If you do not want to use shredded chicken or do not have any on hand, you can saute or grill chicken breasts. First, ensure the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Then, instead of shredding it, you can dice your chicken into small cubes that are about 1/2" and add it to your salad.
Tip* Grilling your chicken can add a TON of extra flavor and smokiness to your chicken salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg