This Easy Keto Low-Carb Chicken Salad is a quick and old-fashioned recipe that is far from boring. It's made with juicy chicken breasts, mayo, celery, and chopped onions. Your lunch meal prep just got easier!
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I love this recipe because it's so versatile. You can serve it as an appetizer among other dips like Crab Rangoon Dip, Keto Low Carb Buffalo Chicken Dip, or Keto Low Carb Spinach Dip.
Or you can pack this up for your lunch and dinner meals. It's so good and works well for everything.
What Kind of Chicken to Use
This recipe is traditionally made using chicken breasts. I like to grab a whole rotisserie chicken from Costco. They only cost $5 and I can use the remaining meat for another meal, and I can use the leftover bones to make bone broth.
You can also use store-bought fully cooked chicken breasts/cubes.
You can roast your own chicken or use canned chicken (more information is documented below).
How to Make Keto Chicken Salad
- Combine 2 cups of diced chicken breasts, mayo (I use a low-carb version made with avocado oil), finely chopped celery, chopped red onions, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste in a mixing bowl.
- Stir the ingredients.
- Serve chilled or warm.
How to Roast Chicken Breasts
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Add 2 chicken breasts to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the chicken for 16-20 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Is Mayo Keto Friendly
Typical mayo is made with added sugar and harmful oils. I like to use the mayo from Primal Kitchen made with olive oil. It is keto-friendly and available on Amazon.
Additional Ingredients and Substitution Ideas
I like to keep this salad classic and with minimal ingredients. Here are other ideas to add.
- Avocado
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Mustard (a tablespoon or to taste)
- Bell Peppers
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Pickles
- Bacon
- Grapes (they have higher sugar and not great for strict keto)
How to Substitute Mayo
If you are looking to make the recipe with no mayo, use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
Amount of Carbs in the Recipe
This dish has 1 net carb per serving.
What to Eat with Chicken Salad
A lot of times chicken salad is eaten as a sandwich on bread. You can enjoy this with Keto Chaffles or any of the following:
- Parmesan Cheese Crisps
- Lettuce Wraps
- Fresh veggies like celery, broccoli, or cauliflower
- Pork Rinds
Can You Use Canned Chicken?
You can if you wish, though I would never recommend anyone eat chicken from a can. It's typically high in sodium and contains other additives.
How Long Will it Last in the Fridge
It will last (tightly covered) for 3-4 days.
Keto Salad Recipes
Keto Low-Carb Broccoli Salad
Keto Low-Carb Green Bean Salad
Keto Low-Carb Pasta Salad
Easy Antipasto Salad
Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Keto Egg Salad
Pair this with Keto Low Carb Orange Chicken.
Easy Keto Low-Carb Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breasts, shredded or chopped into cubes You can use rotisserie chicken, cooked chicken, or roast your own chicken breasts following the instructions below
- ½ cup mayo
- 1 stalk finely chopped celery I use a food processor to do this quickly.
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onions
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and stir.
- Serve chilled or warm.
Video
Notes
- When using rotisserie chicken, I remove the skin from the breasts. You can leave it if you wish.
- The consistency of this chicken salad is thick and creamy. If you like a really creamy salad, add additional mayo.
- You can use canned chicken if you wish, though I would never recommend anyone eat chicken from a can. It’s typically high in sodium and contains other additives.
- If you are looking to make the recipe with no mayo, use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
HOW TO ROAST CHICKEN BREASTS
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Add 2 chicken breasts to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the chicken for 16-20 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Baltisraul says
Want to add a little more flavor to this nice recipe? Add 1-2 tble of Blue Cheese crumbles and mix in with the mayo.
staysnatched says
Thanks for sharing this tip!
Keri says
I braved Coronamania to go to Costco last night to get a Rotisserie chicken with the intent of making this in the morning. I’m so glad I did! It’s delicious! The lemon really adds a great layer to it! I’ll double it next time for the family - this one is mine :). Thank you!
staysnatched says
ha ha! Yay! So glad you braved it and liked it.
Orvina says
There’s a place in my hometown that makes the BEST chicken salad. THIS is even BETTER!! I’ve made 2 different versions in the last few weeks and I wished I had this first. I used rotisserie chicken and I added relish/pickles and it was super yummy. I’m pretty sure I will be making this at least once a week for the next few months.
staysnatched says
HAHA! Yes. So glad I converted you.
Tatiana M says
This chicken salad is great!!! It's so fast and easy.
I added mustard and Tony Chachere's. I will be making this again next week!
staysnatched says
I love the Creole Seasoning add!
Aida says
I’ve tried so many chicken salad recipes and this one is the best I’ve had ever hand down!! My other half even loved it and he’s The most pickiest person I know. That’s it no more searching. Thank you for all your amazing recipes.
staysnatched says
I love to please a picky eater!
Sarah says
Just made this and it is AMAZING. The lemon juice really pulls it all together. Used my accidental chicken tenders.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Anne D says
Recently I started cooking whole chickens in my air fryer (so easy!) and used the leftovers from one to make this chicken salad. Super easy and super yummy! (Obviously easy is a big seller for me.) I prepared per the directions and it was perfect! Your site is a never ending supply of amazing recipes!
staysnatched says
Thank you so much!
Jordan says
I’ve made this recipe two times. The first time I made it I used breast from a rotisserie chicken. The second time I made it I followed Stay Snatched instructions on Instant Pot chicken breast (I did frozen lol I had no time). This recipe is soooo good both ways. It’s the perfect amount of mayo. I always struggle with mayo in chicken salad. The time I made it with Instant Pot chicken I also added grapes.
staysnatched says
Wow, so glad the mayo amount worked for you!
Marsha Patrick says
Delicious and easy! Best combo ever! Even my daughter who doesn't like mayo ate this up! Thank you for the wonderful recipes!
staysnatched says
I love when I can impress a non-mayo eater!
DeErica says
I added mustard, creole seasoning and hard boiled eggs. Soooo yummy!! Having it for dinner tonight, sandwiched between low carb bread.
staysnatched says
Sounds great!
Keto Connect says
I am really impressed by your blog. Your blog article is very informative and helpful.
staysnatched says
Thank you. I hope you try the recipe.
Jalisa says
This was a quick and easy recipe! I tried store brought chicken salad recently because I needed new snack/lunch ideas and was not a fan. Too many ingredients and you can't control the salt intake. I cooked the chicken in my instant pot while I worked and completed everything on my break. So good!
Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Kathy says
Amazing recipe! This is the best Chicken Salad I have had. Ingredients were perfect. No fuss, simple and delicious. I'm hiding it from the rest of my family!! Thank you so much!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Sabrina says
I made this for hubby yesterday as a quick lunch. We both loved it!! Definitely going to become a staple in our household. Drizzle with a ton of Frank’s red hot and mmmmmmmmmmmmm yum.
staysnatched says
I love that idea!
Erika says
Another amazing recipe from Brandi! This is my second time making it. It’s so simple yet tasty and filling. I used baked chicken thighs instead of chicken breast, so I added less mayo and a little extra red onion & lemon juice to balance out the richness of the chicken thighs. I love topping a serving with sliced almonds right before eating. Thank you for this recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoy it!
Dominique says
I made this! It was so FIRE ? & very tasty! Thanks again Brandi for another great recipe! You are keeping my calories down with delicious food ?
staysnatched says
You're welcome! So happy I can help!
Chloe Frew says
This was so damn good! Thank you for your ideas for extra ingredients. We’ve tried a few different versions of this recipe now. You’re the best!
staysnatched says
Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Tyla Nguyen says
I swear Brandi's recipes do not let me down. This recipe is super easy and quick! The recipe is super versatile so whatever meat or additional stuff you add still makes this recipe fire. I used left over turkey meat bc I didn't have any chicken, and didn't have any red onion so I subbed it with yellow onion and it still tastes great! Love love love all the recipes so far!! Thank God for Brandi and this site for helping busy moms like me.
staysnatched says
Yay! That warms my heart.
Sabrina Boucher says
This recipe is a stable now in my home! It's so quick to do, I love making it for easy lunches to take to work. Thank you Brandi for another banger!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. The perfect meal prep dish.
Charity Prince says
Delicious!! Thank you for the added bonus to teaching me how to properly roast a chicken breast. I’ve always just “guessed” when it was done. I didn’t have celery so I added 4 petite sweet gherkins (no sugar added). Great recipe Brandi.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Amanda G. says
Made a batch of this yesterday and had it for lunch as a sandwich with lettuce and tomato-loved it! I’ve been craving a good chicken salad sandwich lately that isn’t swimming in mayo and this did it! I also love the red onions, I feel like they add so much flavor!
staysnatched says
Yes, that's one of my favorite parts!
Giselle Hernandez says
Been meaning to make this for a while and finally bought a rotisserie chicken so had to take advantage! It’s absolutely delicious but I’m not surprised!
Made mine with 1/3 mayo, 1/3 light sour cream, 1/3 nonfat plain Greek yogurt to fit my own nutritional needs. Loaded it with dill pickles and red onion but what really brought it home is the lemon juice.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! That sounds great.
Kaitlin says
Made this subbing tuna and it was fantastic. I ate it straight from the spoon!!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Kristal says
Great easy recipe! I’ve made it twice because it was gone so fast in my house! The first time I made the recipe exactly as it reads. The second time I used 1/2 primal kitchen olive oil mayo and 1/2 smashed avocado and added a couple strips of crumbled bacon. Both times were fantastic.
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!
Alex says
I added a little bit of regular relish so yummy
staysnatched says
That sounds great.
Mary Watts says
Hi Brandi ! Thanks for sharing this keto chicken salad recipe. It looks amazing! I noticed your recipe doesn’t include avocado, which adds great texture and healthy fats. I saw avocado being used in another keto chicken salad recipe (https://iketomom.com/keto-chicken-salad/) and wondered if it would also be a good addition here. What do you think?
staysnatched says
I love avocado. It's a great idea.