Easy Lemon Basil Chicken Salad Recipe
A refreshing and easy-to-make lemon basil chicken salad combining shredded chicken with fresh basil, zesty lemon, and a creamy blend of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. This salad is perfect for a light lunch, served with crackers or as a sandwich filling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Salad
- 2 cups shredded chicken (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1–2 celery stalks, finely diced
Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the salad. Add the shredded chicken, finely diced red onion, and celery into a large bowl, mixing gently to combine. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the dressing.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, chopped fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Toss. Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture and toss everything together until the ingredients are fully coated and evenly combined. Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve. Serve the chicken salad immediately with your favorite crackers or use it as a sandwich filling with your preferred bread. Alternatively, refrigerate the salad until ready to serve for the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- Adjust the lemon juice and zest to your taste for more or less citrus flavor.
- For a lighter option, use low-fat mayonnaise or increase the amount of Greek yogurt.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to add other fresh herbs like parsley or chives for variation.
Keywords: chicken salad, lemon basil chicken salad, easy chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, no-cook chicken recipe, creamy chicken salad
