Not sure what to make for lunch or what to do with leftover rotisserie chicken? This Rotisserie Chicken Salad recipe is the answer! Made with store-bought rotisserie chicken, crisp apples, crunchy veggies, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds, it’s tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing for the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Packed with protein and ready in minutes, it’s an easy lunch that’s perfect for meal prep!
Not Your Average Chicken Salad Recipe
A common complaint I hear is that chicken salad doesn’t actually taste good and I have to tell you that I wholeheartedly disagree! I consider myself somewhat of a chicken salad expert, and with lots of really good chicken salad recipes, like my herby dill pickle and green goddess, I think I’ve earned the title. If you’re one of those people that thinks chicken salad is always too heavy and doesn’t have enough flavor or texture, then this recipe for rotisserie chicken is about to change that!
This recipe is a twist on my healthy chicken salad and it’s flavor-packed without feeling overly heavy. My secret is using both mayo and Greek yogurt to create a rich flavor that’s still fairly light and tangy while keeping the classic creamy consistency. Then, I add crisp, sweet apples, crunchy veggies, chewy dried cranberries, and fresh dill to keep every bite interesting.
📝PRO-TIP: The key to a truly great chicken salad is to have lots of texture and flavor!
When I’m not sure what to make for lunches, I just grab a rotisserie chicken and whip this up in 15 minutes!
And unlike other chicken salad recipes, this one comes together in minutes with no cooking, all thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken. I usually pick one up during my grocery run and toss everything together when I get home. Then, I’ve got a delicious, high-protein lunch ready to go! I like to make a big batch and serve it different ways throughout the week so I never get bored. It makes figuring out what to eat for lunch SO much easier!
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Ingredients
little sweet and this recipe has it all!
- Chicken: I love to use rotisserie chicken for chicken salad to keep things super quick and easy. Plus, it’s often cheaper than making a whole roasted chicken yourself! Just remove the chicken from the bones and chop it up before using.
- Fruit: dried cranberries add a pop of sweetness and a chewy texture. Then, I include crisp apples for even more sweetness and a satisfying crunch. The type of apple matters here! I highly recommend a sweet, tangy variety to balance the dressing. Pink Lady or Honeycrisp are my favorites for this recipe.
- Veggies: diced celery and red onion add a little extra crunch and a bit of “bite” to the salad that’s really necessary to balance the flavors.
- Pumpkin Seeds: every chicken salad recipe seems to use walnuts or pecans, and I think it’s time to switch things up! I tried pumpkin seeds instead, and they’re perfect. They add just the right amount of crunch without being so big that they take over every bite.
- Dill: fresh dill is a MUST here! It gives the chicken salad the best fresh, herby flavor that keeps you coming back for more. I’ve tried using dried dill, and it’s just not the same!
- Mayonnaise and Greek Yogurt: trust me, you really do need both! The mayo gives the chicken salad that rich, creamy flavor we all want, while the Greek yogurt adds a little tang and keeps things from feeling too heavy. I’ve tried making chicken salad with just one or the other, but I really think using both is what makes the dressing so good! I like to use non-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt, but any plain Greek yogurt will work.
- Dijon Mustard: this gives the salad even more tangy flavor and extra depth, so no bite is ever bland.
- Lemon Juice: the acidity adds the perfect touch of brightness to help keep those flavors balanced. A bonus is that it also helps to prevent the apples from turning brown. Freshly squeezed is best!
How to Make the BEST Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken
Next, pour the dressing over the chicken salad, and toss to combine everything and coat the chicken and all the mix-ins. I always give mine a quick taste test and adjust the ingredients as needed!
My Favorite Ways to Serve Rotisserie Chicken Salad So You Never Get Bored
Both are so good!
This rotisserie chicken salad recipe is so good that I can honestly eat it with just a fork or spoon, but there are so many delicious ways to serve it!
- For instance, I often use this chicken salad to make a salad! I start with a bed of fresh greens, then a healthy dollop of chicken salad along with balsamic vinegar and any other salad toppings that sound good. It’s super flavorful and filling without being heavy.
- I also love making a lettuce wrap with fresh bibb lettuce or even blanched collard greens. Or, for a heartier option, I spoon the chicken salad into a high-protein wrap with fresh greens.
- There’s also nothing better than some toasted bread and this chicken salad to make a sandwich! Or, for a super easy option, crackers and veggie sticks are an obvious choice and often my go-to for a quick lunch option on busy days.
I hope you give this Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe a try! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.
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Truly, the Best Rotisserie Chicken Salad (in 15 minutes!)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Not sure what to make for lunch or what to do with leftover rotisserie chicken? This Rotisserie Chicken Salad recipe is the answer!
Made with store-bought rotisserie chicken, crisp apples, crunchy veggies, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds, it’s tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing for the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Packed with protein and ready in minutes, it’s an easy lunch that’s perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 medium pink lady or honey crisp apple
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup finely minced red onion
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped dill
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- To a large mixing bowl add the chicken breast, apple, celery, red onion, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and dill.
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, greek yogurt, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon juice until well combined.
- Pour the dressing mixture over the chicken salad ingredients. Stir until well combined.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
This rotisserie chicken salad recipe actually tastes better when prepared in advance, because all the flavors have time to really meld. Once you’re done making the chicken salad, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Photography: Sasha Hooper
