Keto Chicken Salad

My low carb, keto chicken salad recipe is creamy, herby, and packed with flavor. Perfect for meal prep, lettuce wraps, or a quick lunch!

By Maya Krampf
Updated May 21, 2025

36 Votes | 59 Comments

Affiliate links for products I use help keep my content free. See my disclosure policy. For an ad-free experience and more perks, try Wholesome Yum Plus.

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

Get It Now

In This Post

I Will Make This Keto Chicken Salad Forever
Ingredients & Substitutions
How To Make Keto Chicken Salad
My Recipe Tips
Serving Ideas
Keto Chicken Salad Recipe card
More Chicken Salad Recipes
Recipe Reviews

I Will Make This Keto Chicken Salad Forever

I’ve been making this keto chicken salad since even before the 10 years I spent eating low carb. And not to sound overly dramatic, but I will continue to make it as long as I live, no matter where my eating lifestyle takes me. Here’s why:

Creamy, herby, and flavorful – This low carb chicken salad is so much brighter than most I’ve tried. It’s got plenty of fresh herbs, punchy garlic, zippy mustard, and more recently I added lemon juice for a tangy pop.
Low carb, high protein – At just 1 gram net carbs and ~20 grams of protein per serving, it’s right up there with egg salad and avocado tuna salad as one of my favorite high-protein meals. It’s also naturally gluten-free and paleo.
Quick, easy, and meal prep friendly – It takes about 10 minutes to throw together, uses simple ingredients, and holds up well in the fridge. Perfect for lunch all week!

Whether I’m scooping it into lettuce wraps, stuffing an avocado, or just grabbing a fork, this keto chicken salad recipe never gets old. Make it with me!

Creamy, herby, keto chicken salad in a bowl with a spoon.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my low carb chicken salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

Shredded Chicken – I usually make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot, but rotisserie chicken or leftovers work just as well. And while I usually use chicken breast, chicken thighs work, too. Use whatever you’ve got!
Mayonnaise – This is my favorite store-bought brand. This keto chicken salad recipe is even better with my homemade mayo if you have a few extra minutes.
Mustard – I use yellow mustard this time, but have made it with Dijon mustard as well for a milder flavor.
Lemon Juice – My most recent addition. I used to use more mustard and not include the lemon, but now I think it’s better with a balance of both.
Aromatics – Green onions and garlic. I just minced the garlic fresh, but you can add mashed roasted garlic if you have it, or feel free to swap in 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Fresh Herbs – I add a lot of fresh dill and parsley here. Feel free to cut them down a bit if you don’t like so many greens. Other herbs, like rosemary, thyme, or basil would work, too. I don’t like dried herbs for this recipe, but if that’s all you’ve got, replace each tablespoon fresh with a teaspoon of dried.
Sea Salt & Black Pepper

Labeled recipe ingredients: Shredded chicken, mayo, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, fresh herbs, green onions, salt, and pepper.

How To Make Keto Chicken Salad

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

Make the dressing. In a large bowl, mix together the mayo, mustard, herbs, and garlic until it’s nice and smooth. (You can also do this in a separate small bowl — I just use the same one I make the salad in to avoid an extra dish to wash!)
Add the chicken and green onions. Stir everything together. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Chill if you have time. You can eat this low carb chicken salad right away, but it tastes better after a couple hours in the fridge.

Shredded chicken and other salad ingredients added to the dressing.

Finished keto chicken salad recipe with a wooden spoon.

My Recipe Tips

Don’t use warm chicken. I usually make this keto chicken salad using leftover chicken anyway, but if you’re making it fresh, do let it come to room temperature. Otherwise the mayo can separate a bit. If I need to cool it quickly, I place the bowl of chicken into a second bowl of ice.
A hand mixer is a great way to shred chicken fast. I have this one and the slow start feature is helpful to prevent the chicken from flying everywhere. I like to do it in these bowls because they don’t slide around and are very deep.
Taste as you go, but after chilling is even better. I always sneak a taste before chilling to see if the salt, pepper, mustard, or lemon needs adjusting, but do keep in mind it will change after some time in the fridge. If you’re making this keto chicken salad recipe for the first time, I recommend adjusting after refrigerating rather than before.
The ideal amount of salt can vary a lot. This depends on whether your shredded chicken has salt or not (mine usually does), and the brand of mayo you use. Always start with less or no salt and add to your taste.
Want to add a little something? Sometimes I add crumbled oven bacon, diced celery or bell peppers, dried cranberries (I sweeten them myself with powdered Besti), or chopped keto nuts like almonds, walnuts or pecans.

Low carb chicken salad in lettuce wraps.

Serving Ideas

There are so many tasty ways to serve this keto chicken salad — here are a few of my favorites:

Sandwiches & Wraps – I wrapped it in bibb lettuce above, but it’s also amazing scooped on my fluffy keto bread, rolled in almond flour tortillas or keto pita bread, or sandwiched between chaffles.
Greens – Sometimes I just pile it onto a bed of greens and call it lunch. Try it on any of my low carb salad recipes!
As Stuffing – Spoon it into hollowed-out tomatoes, mini bell peppers, or cucumber subs. Fun and easy!
Chips & Crackers – Scoop it up with almond flour crackers (my personal fave) or keto tortilla chips, like a dip.

Keto Chicken Salad

Pin It For Later!

More Chicken Salad Recipes

Chicken salad is one of my lunchtime staples and I’ve made it so many ways! Here are some of my other recipes and variations you can try:

About Maya Krampf

Learn More

I’m a recipe developer and USA Today best-selling cookbook author, and I’ve been creating easy, healthy recipes using whole, real food for more than a decade — all with 10 ingredients or less! Learn about how I develop recipes here.

I love vegetables, a perfectly cooked filet mignon, and a good cup of coffee. I’m passionate about healthy eating without refined sugar, so I created Wholesome Yum Foods, a line of zero sugar ingredients for cooking and baking.

4.81 from 36 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Leave a Review or Question Cancel reply

59 Comments

Jeffrey
0 Oct 17, 2025Reply

Enjoyed it.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 Nov 7, 2025Reply
  
  Thank you, Jeffrey! If there’s anything you didn’t like that prevented you from rating the recipe 5 stars, please let me know. Happy to help if I can!
Jeannette
0 Jul 25, 2025Reply

I tried this today and it is absolutely to die for! It is perfect with a leaf of romaine lettuce for a shell. Will try it with turkey as well. (Always have left over turkey at Thanksgiving.)
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 Jul 28, 2025Reply
  
  I’m so glad you loved it, Jeannette! Using romaine as a shell sounds so fresh and crisp! I love the idea of trying it with leftover turkey too. Great thinking!
Madkat
0 Jul 17, 2025Reply

The only thing I changed is I used aioli sauce instead of mayonnaise (do not like mayonnaise) and it was delicious!
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 Jul 18, 2025Reply
  
  Thanks for sharing that tweak! Aioli sounds like a delicious swap—glad it worked so well for the chicken salad!
Sharon kues
0 Mar 19, 2025Reply

Can’t wait to try your recipe’s . Just starting my Lazy keto diet/ lifestyle !
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 Mar 23, 2025Reply
  
  Welcome, Sharon! I hope you love this recipe.
Carol L
0 Jan 9, 2025Reply

This looks good to eat, however all the green makes it look un-appealing. I would definitely add in some cherry tomatoes, or sundried tomatoes, and for those who like red/yellow sweet pepper, add some of those as well. ANYthing NOT green!
Otherwise, nice recipe.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 Jan 15, 2025Reply
  
  Thanks for the feedback, Carol. I don’t find fresh herbs to be unappealing, but you can definitely add some sun-dried tomatoes or diced bell peppers if you like. I think those would be delicious!
Debra Hebert
0 Mar 30, 2024Reply

This recipe was definitely easy and quick. It proved to be one of the best chicken salads I have ever made. Now my go to recipe. ❤
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sandy
0 Mar 28, 2024Reply

I made this, no eggs, but added chopped water chestnuts, for extra crunch, along with the onion and celery. My husband wanted to finish it off, but I told him to eat his lunch meat, this is MINE !! ? Ate it one day, with romaine lettuce as a wrap, the next day, I had keto hotdog buns, and ate it with lettuce. Definitely a good filling recipe, and keeper!!
Debbie
0 Oct 28, 2023Reply

Excellent! I used my leftover chicken from the chicken tandoori recipe for this chicken salad. I also added almonds and celery as suggested for crunch, and the juice from half a lemon for some acid. Simply delicious!
Cyd
0 May 1, 2023Reply

My new favorite chicken salad is also easy to make.
Deanna Slaughter
0 Apr 12, 2023Reply

Loved this and was so quick to make. I did have to use dry herbs and substituted onion powder for the onions (I do not like onions) and it was so delicious! Can’t wait to try some of the variations! Thank you SO much!
Linda
0 Mar 27, 2023Reply

I absolutely love this chicken salad recipe! I have made it a couple of times and look forward to fixing it for a brunch!
Chelsea Halisheff
0 Jan 26, 2023Reply

Can’t wait to make this for next week lunches!
Kay
0 Dec 1, 2022Reply

Really enjoyed this salad and the dressing was delicious. It was super easy to make in the morning and take to work.
Irene
0 Sep 28, 2022Reply

Delicious!! I love all the flavor, so simple to throw together ❤️. Thanks again for your work and dedication!!
Katerina
0 Aug 18, 2022Reply

I love this! It’s the perfect lunch!
- Velma
  0 Nov 9, 2022Reply
  
  I really like this recipe. I will be making it again.. I used dried dill and parsley.
Kristyn
0 Aug 18, 2022Reply

Chicken salad is one of those recipes that I love eating all week long!! Love this version! It’s healthier, but packed with tons of flavor!
Taylor
0 Aug 18, 2022Reply

So easy, delicious and perfect to meal prep lunches throughout the week! Love the flavor from the fresh dill and parsley.
Shaelei
0 Mar 15, 2022Reply

Hello! Wanting to meal prep this for lunches. Do you know how long this is good in the fridge for?
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 Mar 16, 2022Reply
  
  Hi Shaelei, Please to the section in the post above on how to store it.
Theresa
0 Feb 27, 2022Reply

Can you use canned chicken?
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 Feb 28, 2022Reply
  
  Hi Theresa, Yes you can.
Dina
0 Jul 29, 2021Reply

I dont know what I did wrong. I followed the directions but used 1 tbsp of dried dill and 1 tbsp of dried parsley instead of fresh herbs. I also used avocado mayonaise. IMO 2 tbsp mustard is way too much. My salad was yellow and overly seasoned. I’m not giving up on it though. Next time I will use less mustard or maybe dried mustard and less herbs for sure.
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 Jul 31, 2021Reply
  
  Hi Diana, Sorry this recipe didn’t suit your tastes. Is it possible you used less shredded chicken than the recipe called for? Feel free to adjust the seasonings and condiments in the recipe as needed next time you make it.
Sandra K.
0 May 2, 2021Reply

I left out the salt, and the garlic as I was out… it is very good.
Leila Bliss
0 Oct 21, 2020Reply

I had some leftover rotisserie chicken and decided to try this recipe. I put 1/4 of a cup of the salad on a slice of wheat bread and it was delicious!!! My father and I are doing Keto together and he loves it too. We added pepperoncini’s and a slice of onion cheese. It was delicious!!!
Patty Smith
0 Aug 27, 2020Reply

The ingredients list calls for green onion. The directions say scallions.
- kazy
  0 Dec 25, 2020Reply
  
  Scallions ARE green onions, they’re just a little younger, that’s all. They’re also called Spring Onions.
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 Aug 27, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Patty, It’s green onions, though really either would work fine. Thank you for catching this. I updated the recipe card.
KBJAM
0 Aug 27, 2020Reply

This was excellent and the whole family loved it! I made exactly as directed and added sweet & spicy pickles on top!
Olivia S
0 Jul 4, 2020Reply

My husband and I both love this recipe! Thank you for sharing!
I tossed in a bit of shredded parmesan cheese the second time around and really enjoyed it!
Melissa A Dana
0 Jun 18, 2020Reply

This recipe is so delicious! It’s definitely my new go-to for chicken salad. It’s so easy to make and doesn’t take a ton of ingredients.
Dee
0 Apr 28, 2020Reply

I have to say that this is my favorite and versatile chicken salad recipe that I have ever had. We buy rotisserie chicken and have the breast meat for dinner and I get to make the chicken salad with all the leftovers. Serve with cucumber coins, lettuce wraps, cloud bread, 90 second keto bread and also as a salad plate…so many choices…it never gets old…thank you thank you for such a great go to as well as economical.
Elizabeth
0 Feb 2, 2020Reply

Do you have any recommendations on the amount of dried dill and parsley?
- Wholesome Yum M
  0 Feb 4, 2020Reply
  
  Hi Elizabeth, Start with 1 Tbs each and then adjust to taste.
  - Elizabeth
    0 Feb 4, 2020Reply
    
    That worked out really well! Thanks for all the terrific recipes! You are my go to!
Dana Keddie
0 Jan 12, 2020Reply

This is always my “go to” for meal prep. Especially now that I work nights. This is crazy easy to make, and I put it over spring mix in meal prep containers. When I eat it I pour a little olive oil or avocado oil over it. Delicious!!! My college daughter loves it on cucumbers. My husband is a big fan of it also. Thank you for the great recipe!
LizaT
0 Jan 4, 2020Reply

Made the salad last night and had it for dinner today paired with fat head dinner rolls. Amazingly delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe. I’m getting spoiled doing Keto, I might actually stick to it. 🙂 Also great with Keto sandwich buns with nutritional yeast from Keto for Real Life People.

I had to double up the mayonnaise as it was too dry for me. I used avocado mayo. I also used Dijon mustard and used 4 Tbsp or whatever amount I used to my liking.
Bailey
0 Dec 11, 2019Reply

Hi, I loved the recipe. However, I only got three cups out of the recipe. Not the 4 you would think that you are using to calculate the servings.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 Dec 12, 2019Reply
  
  Hi Bailey, Sorry about the confusion, it’s 6 servings, 1/2 cup each. I’m glad you liked it!
Sean
0 Nov 10, 2019Reply

Hi! Hubby and I are starting Keto tomorrow! I’ll be meal prepping today and love chicken salad. What type of side can I serve with this? We’re big guys and are getting 2342 calories a day based on your calculator so we need a little more with the chicken salad. I bought your new cookbook too! Excited to start!
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 Dec 31, 2019Reply
  
  Hi Sean, Congrats on starting your journey! For something caloric to add to this chicken salad, try it on keto bagels!
Gabriella Pabon
0 Sep 6, 2019Reply

Can I use djion mustard instead?
- Wholesome Yum A
  0 Sep 6, 2019Reply
  
  Definitely, Gabriella!
Wendi Nicacio
0 May 31, 2019Reply

I have an issue! Nowhere in this does it say how many carbs per serving, fat, protein, or how big a serving is‍.
- Wholesome Yum
  0 Jun 7, 2019Reply
  
  Hi Wendi, check the recipe card above. You should see complete nutrition facts with everything you need.
Kathy
0 Apr 22, 2019Reply

Came across your page while searching for a keto friendly chicken recipe. I made it today and I’m beyond pleased. It’s super quick and easy to make and the dill adds a nice, fresh flavor. I’ll definitely be making this again and in a bigger batch next time.
Rebecca
0 Aug 20, 2018Reply

Made this today—it came out so good and I felt so full!
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 Aug 22, 2018Reply
  
  I love to hear that, Rebecca! Thanks for stopping by!
Kim
0 Aug 18, 2018Reply

Hi Just came across your site while searching for a low carb chicken salad recipe. I’m just wondering where the 24 carbs are coming from in this recipe?? Chicken, mayo, mustard, etc have no carbs. Could there really be 24 carbs in the sm amt of herbs & green onions used? Please let me know … I’m looking forward to trying the recipe.
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 Sep 1, 2018Reply
  
  Hi Kim, This recipe has 2.6 grams net carbs per serving, so it’s definitely low carb and keto friendly! The small amount of carbs comes from the mayo, herbs, garlic, and green onions.
  - Aubry
    0 Oct 24, 2019Reply
    
    I agree. There are no carbs in mayo. (which I doubled) and hardly any in a single serving of those onions. Either way. It’s a “no carb” meal in my opinion and so delicious I could eat the whole bowl!
Wanda Coble
0 Apr 18, 2018Reply

Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate it
- Maya | Wholesome Yum
  0 Apr 23, 2018Reply
  
  You are welcome, Wanda! Thanks for stopping by!