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This Green Goddess Chicken Salad turns plain chicken into a bright, herb-loaded treat that's got just the right mix of creamy and fresh. The dressing you'll make yourself packs every mouthful with fragrant herbs and zippy flavors, making it a cool meal for hot days or hectic evenings.
I came up with this dish during a boiling hot summer when I couldn't bear to turn my oven on. What started as a way to use up some leftover store-bought chicken has turned into what everyone asks me to bring to gatherings, and my friends are always messaging me for details after they try it.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken breasts: gives you healthy protein and works as the foundation for the lively dressing
- Celery: adds that needed snap and light freshness against the creamy components
- Red onion: brings bold flavor contrast and pretty color; grab ones that feel solid with snug skin
- Sliced almonds: add that must-have crunch and nutty flavor; go for toasted ones for extra taste
- Fresh parsley: adds clean, lively taste and green color; always pick bunches that look perky, not droopy
- Fresh dill: gives that special aroma that makes Green Goddess what it is
- Green onions: add gentle onion flavor that won't take over; use the whole thing - white and green parts
- Greek yogurt: makes it tangy and creamy with less fat than old-school versions; 5% works best for richness
- Mayonnaise: adds smoothness and depth; don't cheap out here for best results
- Dijon mustard: works to blend everything while adding fancy sharpness
- Fresh garlic: gives that aromatic kick; pick firm pieces without any sprouts
- Lemon juice: lifts all the flavors with natural zing; squeeze it fresh for best taste
- Apple cider vinegar: adds interesting tang and helps keep everything fresh longer
- Salt and pepper: bring out the best in everything else; getting this right matters a lot
Making Your Green Goddess Chicken Salad
- Get your chicken ready:
- Put your cooked chicken in a food processor and pulse it quickly until it's finely shredded but not mushy, about 10 seconds. You want it even but still with some texture. If you like it chunkier, just pull the chicken apart using two forks, going with the grain for softer pieces.
- Mix the foundation:
- Put your shredded chicken in a big bowl with your neatly cut celery, finely chopped red onion, and sliced almonds. This makes the hearty base with different textures that'll carry all that tasty dressing. Stir gently to mix everything without squishing the chicken.
- Whip up the dressing:
- Start by putting fresh herbs in the food processor first. This order really matters because it stops the herbs from clumping. Then add yogurt, mayo, dijon, chopped garlic, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Run it until you get a smooth, bright green dressing with tiny herb bits showing throughout. Scrape the sides down at least twice while blending so everything mixes evenly.
- Mix it all together:
- Pour your green dressing over the chicken mix in several small batches, folding gently after each pour. This slow approach makes sure everything gets covered evenly without overworking the chicken. Keep folding until every bit of chicken is coated with the bright green dressing and nothing looks dry.
- Let the flavors come together:
- Put the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving, though you can skip this if you're in a rush. This waiting time lets all the flavors blend and get stronger as the chicken soaks up the herby goodness of the dressing, making everything taste more unified.
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The dill really changes this from just any chicken salad into something memorable. I found this out by chance when my garden gave me tons of dill one summer. My family wasn't sure about the green color at first, but after trying it they said it was the tastiest chicken salad ever. Now we grow extra dill just for making this.
Prep Ahead Perks
This Green Goddess Chicken Salad actually tastes better the longer it sits, which makes it perfect for planning meals ahead. The flavors get stronger as everything mingles in the fridge. You can make it up to three days before you need it, just keep it in a container with a tight lid. The herbs stay surprisingly flavorful, though the bright green might fade a bit. Just give it a quick mix before serving to blend any dressing that's separated.
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Fun Ways to Serve It
Turn this flexible chicken salad into different meals throughout your week. Put it on toasted sourdough with sliced avocado and baby greens for a fancy sandwich. Scoop it into lettuce leaves for a low-carb lunch. Make a pretty plate by putting it over mixed greens with small tomatoes and cucumber slices. When having friends over, scoop out little Persian cucumbers and fill them with the chicken salad for nice two-bite snacks. My family loves eating it with buttery crackers and fresh fruit on hot nights when nobody wants to cook.
Easy Swaps
Change this recipe to fit your diet or what you have on hand with these smart trades. Switch chicken for chickpeas or white beans to make it vegetarian while keeping the protein. Use dairy-free yogurt instead of Greek yogurt if you can't do lactose. Trade almonds for pumpkin or sunflower seeds if nuts are a problem. Save time by using store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts. For more zing, use extra lemon juice in place of some yogurt. You can make this recipe your own while keeping what makes it special.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the trick for soft chicken?
Cook the chicken just until done, then shred it while warm. Use your hands or a processor to make it evenly tender.
- → What can I swap for yogurt?
If Greek yogurt's not on hand, regular plain yogurt or sour cream works just as well.
- → Any nut replacements for almonds?
Go for walnuts, cashews, or pecans if you'd prefer a different crunch and nutty twist.
- → How long will it stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it'll keep fresh and tasty for about 3 days.
- → Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes! Make it in advance and portion into containers for grab-and-go meals during your busy week.