Emma was rushing home from CrossFit last Tuesday. She was starving and needed food fast. Her fridge had leftover chicken, greek yogurt, and two apples sitting there. She mixed them without thinking much about it.
The first bite blew her mind. This healthy chicken salad recipe was better than anything she’d made before. Her trainer begged for the recipe the next day.
You need this chicken salad with greek yogurt and apples in your life. It tastes amazing and won’t wreck your diet goals. This combo gives you everything – protein, crunch, and satisfaction.
Chicken Salad with Greek Yoghurt and Apples Recipe
Here is the simplest recipe for chicken salad with Greek yogurt and apples.
What You Need
- 2 cups chicken breast, diced or Boiled
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple, chopped
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Onion (optional)
How to Make It
Here is a step-by-step guide for making this delicious recipe.
Step 1: Cook your chicken completely. Let it cool down before cutting. Hot chicken makes the yogurt separate.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the yogurt and lemon juice together. Add honey if you want it sweeter.
Step 3: Chop your apple into small pieces. Don’t peel it – the skin has all the good stuff.
Step 4: Put chicken in a large bowl. Add the yogurt mix and fold gently. Toss in apples, celery, and nuts.
Step 5: Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes so flavors blend.
Why This Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt and Apples Changes Everything
Regular chicken salad is a calorie bomb. One serving packs 400+ calories from all that mayo. Your energy crashes an hour later.
This chicken salad with greek yogurt and apples flips everything completely. You get the same creamy texture but with actual nutrition. Plus 20 grams of protein instead of empty fat.
The apples add sweetness without sugar. They give you fiber and vitamins. Most importantly, they make every bite crunchy and fresh.
Nutritional Facts
| Nutrient | Per Cup | Daily Value |
| Calories | 245 | 12% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Carbs | 15g | 5% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Calcium | 120mg | 12% |
This high-protein chicken salad beats mayo versions every time. You’re getting muscle-building nutrition instead of empty calories.
Emma’s Success Story
Emma started making this chicken salad with greek yogurt and apples three times a week. Her CrossFit buddies wanted containers of it. She began meal prepping triple batches every Sunday.
Three months later, Emma dropped 15 pounds. She didn’t change her workouts or count calories. She stayed full until dinner because of the high protein. No more 3 PM vending machine runs.
“I thought being healthy meant being dull,” Emma said. “This recipe changed everything.”
Pro Tips That Actually Work
| Tip | Why It Matters |
| Use Honeycrisp apples | They stay crisp for days |
| Cool chicken completely | Prevents yogurt separation |
| Full-fat greek yogurt | Creates the best texture |
| Add lemon slowly | Too much makes it sour |
| Fold, don’t stir | Keeps chicken pieces whole |
These suggestions are based on dozens of attempts at making this recipe. Each one makes a real difference.
Easy Chicken Salad Without Mayo Serving Ideas
1. Sandwich Style: Use whole-grain bread. It adds fiber and keeps you full longer.
2. Wrap It Up: Large spinach tortillas work great. They’re lower in calories than regular wraps.
3. Salad Bowl: Serve over mixed greens with cherry tomatoes. Drizzle olive oil on top.
4. Stuffed Avocado: Cut an avocado in half and fill it. The healthy fats make it even more satisfying.
Light Chicken Salad Lunch Ideas for Meal Prep
Make a big batch of chicken salad with greek yogurt and apples on Sunday. Portion it into containers. It stays fresh for 4 days max.
Keep the dressing separate if possible. Add apples right before eating to keep them crisp.
Pack with crackers, veggies, or pita chips. This provides a variety of textures to keep lunch engaging.
No Mayo Chicken Salad Recipe Variations
1. Mediterranean Style: Add olives, feta, and dried herbs. Use cucumber instead of celery.
2. Curry Version: Mix curry powder into the yogurt. Add raisins and cashews for sweetness.
3. Mexican Twist: Use lime juice instead of lemon. Add diced jalapeños and cilantro.
Creating the Perfect Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing
Start with thick greek yogurt. The thin stuff makes watery salad. Nobody wants that. Add lemon juice bit by bit. Taste as you go. You can always add more but can’t take it back.
A touch of honey balances everything out. Don’t skip this step. It makes all the flavors work together.
Best Chicken Salad Meal Prep Strategy
- Cook 4-5 chicken breasts on Sunday. Let them cool and dice them up. Store in the fridge.
- Make your yogurt dressing separately. Keep it in a small container.
- Prep your apples and celery. Store them in different containers to keep everything fresh.
- Combine everything when you’re ready to eat. This keeps the texture perfect.
Perfecting Your Crunchy Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt and Apples
The apple type makes or breaks your chicken salad with greek yogurt and apples. Honeycrisp stays crisp the longest. Gala works too. Skip Red Delicious – they get mushy fast.
Cut apples into small pieces. Big chunks overpower the chicken. Tiny pieces disappear completely.
Toss apple pieces in lemon juice right away. This stops them from turning brown. Your salad looks fresh longer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using hot chicken: It curdles the yogurt. Always cool chicken first.
- Wrong yogurt: Flavored yogurts add sugar you don’t need. Low-fat versions taste watery.
- Over-mixing: Be gentle when folding. Aggressive stirring breaks up the chicken.
- Storing too long: Day 5 is pushing it. Make smaller batches more often.
Storage Tips That Work
1. Keep salad below 40°F always. Bacteria like to hang out at room temperature.
2. Glass containers beat plastic. They maintain food freshness and don’t retain odors.
3. Days 1-2 are perfect. Days 3-4 are still good. Day 5 and beyond – toss it.
Making It Work for Your Diet
1. Keto Version: Skip the apple. Add more nuts and full-fat ingredients.
2. Low-Carb Option: Use half the apple. Add more protein and healthy fats.
3. Paleo Style: Replace yogurt with avocado-based dressing. Check all ingredients for compliance.
Quick Fixes for Problems
- Too dry? Add more yogurt one spoonful at a time.
- Too wet? Drain the liquid and add chopped nuts to absorb moisture.
- No flavor? Salt first, then taste. Add herbs or spices gradually.
Final Thoughts
Try it once and you’ll get it. There is no better mayo-based chicken salad than this one with apples and Greek yogurt. Your waist will appreciate it, as will your taste buds.
FAQs
Can I use Greek yogurt for chicken salad?
Yes, Greek yogurt works perfectly as a mayo replacement and adds 15 grams of protein per serving.
Can we eat an apple and Greek yogurt together?
Absolutely – apples and Greek yogurt create the perfect balance of sweet crunch and creamy protein.
Can I put apples in chicken salad?
Apples add natural sweetness, fiber, and a satisfying crunch that makes chicken salad way more interesting.
What is best to mix with Greek yogurt?
Greek yogurt makes an excellent salad dressing when mixed with lemon juice, herbs, and a touch of honey.
Is it OK to eat Greek salad everyday?
Eating Greek yogurt daily provides probiotics and protein, but vary your meals for complete nutrition.
