10 Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipes (2024)

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There's just something special about a delicious chicken salad, whether it be a traditional keto chicken salad recipe for lunch or something loaded for a main dish dinner or potluck side.

Eating healthy and low carb chicken salad recipes makes sticking to a low carb, paleo, gluten-free, or keto diet easier.

Keto Chicken Salad

10 Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipes (1)

Whether you're needing a low carb or keto chicken salad recipe to take on the go or to work, need a side dish at a BBQ, or want to serve a light and healthy summer dinner, there's such a wide variety of chicken salads to make every day of the week. I don't even know if it'd be possible to get tired of low carb chicken salad since the recipe ideas are endless!

In our house, we love to buy Costco canned chicken to whip up a quick chicken salad for lunches or to meal prep on Sundays. The cheapest way to cook chicken for making a keto chicken salad recipe is to cook a large bag of chicken tenders from frozen. And did you know it's possible to shred chicken in only 20 seconds with this handy trick?

Is Chicken Salad Keto?

If you're following a keto diet, you might be wondering if low carb chicken salads can even be on your program. Most people following a keto diet stick to 20 net carbs or less per day, so as long as you're keeping your salads filled with low carb or no carb options, than yes, chicken salad on keto is definitely an option for you.

Many low carb chicken salad recipe ideas also have healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, healthier mayonnaise brands, or fat from avocado. These all work as ideal healthy fat sources when you're going keto.

Some of the recipes in this post might be considered low carb at first glance, if there are ways to bring down the carbs and make easy swaps to turn them into a keto chicken salad recipe, the notes will be included.

Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe

This is our basic go-to keto and low carb chicken salad recipe we make over and over again at our house. It's so simple and versatile!

Our hands-down family favorite mayonnaise is this one that's keto, low carb, vegan, paleo, sugar free, dairy free, and gluten free.

  • 1 large 12oz can of chicken, drained
  • 1-2 tablespoon mayo (we love this avocado mayo!)
  • 1 Tbsp+ chopped pickle or celery
  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • herbs or seasoning (optional)- our favorites are dill weed or curry powder

Adding in some no carb extras would be another great way to add variety to the classic chicken salad. The sky's the limit with this easy low carb chicken salad with canned chicken.

Low Carb Keto Chicken Salad Recipe Ideas

We've also rounded up 10 of the most delicious low carb and keto chicken salad recipe ideas out there! We found one for each day of the week, so if you're obsessed with healthy chicken salads like we are, you have lots of lunchtime options.

Most of these recipes are lower carb and some are paleo, a couple also work if you're looking for easy keto chicken salad recipes with a couple adaptions.

Chicken Cucumber Avocado Salad

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A Greek inspired delicious salad that comes together so fast with pre-cooked chicken. With such a perfect blend of flavors, the dressing is super simple so you can focus on the fresh flavors.

Only 5 net carbs per serving! While the recipe uses a rotisserie chicken, our favorite way to pre-cook chicken is actually in our instant pot. But this would also make a wonderful low carb grilled chicken salad too since it's close to summer time.

This is another salad where you could cut back on tomatoes (or even cucumbers) to reduce the carbs and increase the chicken, avocado and cheese, but with just 5 net carbs per serving, I'd recommend making the low carb chicken salad recipe as is.

Find the keto chicken salad Recipe at Café Delights

Keto Chicken Blt Salad

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This is the perfect salad when you're on the go because you can just roll it up and it makes a fantastic keto chicken salad wrap. It's a fancier version of a keto chicken blt salad since it dresses it up with avocado and other goodness.

BLTA stands for bacon-lettuce-tomato-avocado, just mix in shredded chicken for your protein and you have a delicious keto lunch to take to work on when you're on the go!

Even with a small bit of tomatoes, this keto chicken salad recipe is still only 3 net carbs per serving!

Find the keto chicken salad recipe at Cooking Classy

Low Carb Sweet & Salty Chicken Salad

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Heather's delicious recipe is lower carb and has the perfect blend of sweet and spice. If you're following a keto diet instead of low carb, you can simply take out the apple or substitute with something else.

The low carb keto chicken salad with bacon serves 6. The recipe calls for ½ of an apple, which has 21 net carbs, and means that if you take out the apple you'd save 3.5 net carbs per serving.

You could definitely could completely take out the apple and make a substitution with increased celery, pickles, eggs, avocados or nuts.

Find the low carb keto chicken salad recipe at Forks & Flip Flops

Low Carb Keto Cobb Salad

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What's your favorite low carb or keto chicken salad recipe? Mine hands down, is a low carb cobb salad with chicken. This is the same salad I'll usually order when we go out to eat dinner too.

At only 6 net carbs per serving and chock full of savory ingredients, keto cobb salad makes for an ideal lunch or dinner recipe.

While Amanda does give you a recipe for a low carb Ranch to go with the salad, I admit we've been lazy at making our own keto salad dressings after discovering this store bought paleo and keto Ranch dressing brand.

Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe

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If you're craving a more traditional creamy chicken salad, then you'll love this recipe by Ketoconnect.net! The secret ingredient to the dressing is actually sour cream, which is a nice change from the standard mayo. Yum!

This keto chicken salad with pecans is a flavorful twist on a classic recipe.

Only 2 net carbs per serving.

Find the keto chicken salad recipe at Ketoconnect.net

Low Carb Chinese Chicken Salad

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This lower carb Chinese chicken salad gets on the table fast if you use pre-cooked chicken!

While this does have 1 T of honey in the dressing, chef Carmen says that's an easy ingredient to leave out or to substitute with your favorite low carb sweetener.

My favorite keto and low carb sweetener is monk fruit, this golden version would be a perfect replacement for the honey. I've swapped it for honey before my softening a little butter on the stove, adding the monk fruit and then simmering until the crystalized monk fruit dissolves. So yummy!

Find the low carb chicken salad Recipe at Every Last Bite

Keto Chicken Taco Salad

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Can you ever really tire of taco variations? Making a simple low carb taco salad has been one of our favorite ways to still enjoy taco flavors yet skipping the high carb tortilla. This version is paleo too and instead of adding cheese, it's served with a side of avocado.

Bailey adds a wide variety of interesting flavors to her low carb chicken salad recipe, with only 10 net carbs this is a great salad to meal prep and eat multiple days- it serves 6!. If you want to bring the carbs down a little, you can skip the tomatoes.

If 10 net carbs seems a little high to you, what's been working for my husband is to save 10 net carbs for 2 meals each and then he has one zero net carb meal and snacks. Be sure to download our free printable for the full no carb snack list! Many of the ideas make simple lunches too.

This low carb or keto chicken taco salad looks so delicious, you surely won't miss the tortillas or side of chips.

Find the low carb chicken salad Recipe at Paleo Bailey

Low Carb Chicken Salad with Grapes

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Who knew you could still have low carb chicken salad with grapes when you're following a low carb or keto diet? But you can! You'll love this healthy version from my sister's blog, that only has 7.8 net carbs per serving.

The key to keeping the carb count down for traditional recipes that have higher carb items is to just use less of them, and then beef up on the no carb or low carb ingredients.

Low carb chicken salad with grapes makes the perfect spring or summer time meal.

Find the low carb chicken salad recipe at Seeking Good Eats

Keto Low Carb Chicken Caesar Salad

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And how could we have a keto and low carb chicken salad recipe list without including a low carb chicken caesar salad?! The list just wouldn't be complete.

You might be surprised to see keto friendly and gluten free croutons on the salad, but using a keto quick bread, you can make your own crunchy and healthy croutons in less than 2o minutes.

5 net carbs per serving in this yummy low carb keto chicken caesar salad, and with soft boiled eggs on the side, can we say "Yummmm?"

While you of course can make your own caesar dressing at home, we've been loving this store bought keto paleo caesar dressing made with avocado oil!

Find the keto chicken salad recipe at My PCOS Kitchen

* **

Which low carb and keto chicken salad recipe is your favorite? Please let us know which ones you love after you give them a try! We'd love it if you posted the results in the comments or on the Pinterest pin. Enjoy! 🙂

10 Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipes (11)

10 Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipes (12)

Keto Chicken Salad Recipe

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

An easy keto chicken salad recipe for a healthy lunch recipe or for meal prep. The low carb chicken salad is great with low-carb add-ins like bacon, avocado, celery or nuts. Low carb, keto, vegan, and paleo chicken salad if you use a paleo-friendly mayo.

Ingredients

  • 1 large 12oz can of chicken, drained
  • 1-2 tablespoon mayo
  • 1 Tbsp+ chopped pickle or celery
  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • herbs or seasoning (optional)- our favorites are dill weed or curry powder

Instructions

  1. Drain the canned chicken and put it into a small bowl.
  2. Add the pickle, garlic salt, pepper, and optional seasoning.
  3. Mix until combined.
  4. Serve in a lettuce wrap.

Notes

Add low to no carb mix-ins like bacon, avocado, nuts, seeds, curry, dill weed, and more.

Nutrition Information

Yield 1Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 399Total Fat 32gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 24gCholesterol 91mgSodium 1128mgCarbohydrates 5gNet Carbohydrates 2gFiber 3gSugar 2gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 22g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

10  Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is chicken salad a good meal for weight loss? ›

Chicken salad can assist with weight loss, but there are some factors to consider. Firstly, you should control your portions. Eating too much, even hearty and healthy foods, is a barrier to losing weight. Chicken is one of the lower-fat foods, and its proteins promote satiety.

Is rotisserie chicken low carb? ›

You can expect there to be 0 grams net carbs in the average rotisserie chicken, making it the perfect staple for your keto diet. Tip: whether you eat the chicken breast, thighs, or legs, make sure to enjoy the skin as well for that added fat!

Can you have mayo on keto? ›

Mayonnaise is the perfect condiment for the Keto Diet because it consists of high fat, low protein, and zero carbohydrates. It also has many health benefits that can help you maintain Ketosis and achieve your weight loss goals on the Keto diet.

Can you eat all the salad you want on keto? ›

You can eat a variety of salads on keto, as long as they contain healthy fats and proteins and are low in carbs. Egg salad, grilled chicken salad, shrimp salad, cauliflower salad, arugula salad, cucumber salad, antipasto salad, Greek salad, Caprese salad, and spinach salad are just a few keto-friendly salads to enjoy.

Will I lose weight eating 2 salads a day? ›

"Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

Can I lose weight if I eat 3 salads a day? ›

Eating salads every day can be a part of a healthy and low-calorie diet that may contribute to weight loss, but it's important to approach this with balance and moderation. Simply eating salads alone, even if they are filled with vegetables, won't guarantee substantial weight loss on its own.

Can I eat unlimited chicken in keto? ›

Can I eat a whole chicken on keto? If it's within your protein budget, yes. However, a keto diet doesn't mean you can eat an unlimited amount of protein. Remember that protein can transform into glucose in the body, meaning a large protein intake can affect your ketosis levels if you are not careful.

Is Cabbage good for keto? ›

Cabbage is delicious when stuffed into keto fajitas, used in soups, or made into coleslaw with a rich, creamy high-fat dressing that's keto-friendly. It has 2 grams of net carbs per cup shredded, so you can eat a lot in one sitting without falling out of ketosis, says Dixon.

Is cheese okay for keto? ›

You can eat high fat foods like cheese on the Keto diet. Cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese are the best to consider. Cheese to avoid on Keto are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

How many eggs can I eat daily on keto? ›

We'll also share some great low-carb egg-based keto recipes. Eggs are keto-friendly and safe to eat when you're on the ketogenic diet. Eggs are low in carbs while containing high amounts of protein and healthy fats. You can have 6 to 7 eggs every day while on the keto diet.

Are hot dogs OK on keto? ›

Hot Dogs Are Keto-Friendly

Hot dogs are made with ingredients that are naturally low in carbs. An average hot dog is about 1.73 grams of total carbs. As for the bun, you can't have a conventional bun in order to follow the keto diet. The average hot dog bun will cost you 24.3 grams of total carbs.

Can I eat peanut butter on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

What foods can I eat unlimited on keto? ›

Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.

Can I eat cucumbers on keto? ›

Cucumber is another popular salad vegetable. It contains many essential nutrients, including vitamin K. Cucumber is also suitable for the keto diet, as its carb content is just 3.63 g per 100 g. To make the carb content lower, a person can peel the cucumber before eating it.

Can I have pickles on keto? ›

Luckily, pickles are keto friendly, especially those that are of the dill pickle variety, as sugar is low. “Simply put, sweet pickles are made with sugar which will automatically push the carb count up,” says Hultin. “Dill or salt pickles don't have the added sugar and carbs, naturally,” she says.

Can I lose weight eating chicken breast and salad? ›

Anyone wanting to shed a few pounds can shift to salads. Adding chicken to it can further boost the process. This is because it has lower calories than your traditional diet, while the lean meat and protein ensure short-term weight loss. Protein is known to reduce appetite by inducing a feeling of fullness.

What does chicken salad do to your body? ›

Chicken salad is high in protein

Thus, just one serving of chicken salad might meet nearly one-third of your daily protein requirements. Protein is necessary for bone health and muscle strength, but it also: controls appetite. aids in the healing of your body.

How much chicken should I eat in a meal to lose weight? ›

It can be easy to go overboard with your serving sizes, but knowing exactly how much to eat can help you keep things in check. So, how much chicken can you eat? No matter what type of protein you're enjoying as part of your weight loss diet, you want to aim for a serving size no larger than a deck of cards [9].

How much chicken should I eat per meal to lose weight? ›

Watch your portion sizes: Limit your chicken intake to 3-4 ounces per serving, about the size of a deck of cards. Grass-fed Chicken: Grass-fed chicken is a beneficial addition to a weight loss diet due to its lower fat and calorie content and higher protein and nutrient levels than grain-fed chicken.

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