If you love light and easy meals, these chicken salad recipes are perfect for you. I’m sharing two fresh takes on chicken salad today, both featuring crisp cucumbers for a refreshing crunch. These are my go-to recipes for a quick lunch or a simple dinner.
You’ll find one recipe uses Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing, and the other is a classic mayo-based version. Both are packed with fresh ingredients and simple to make at home. Let’s get cooking!
Jump to Recipe:
Easy Cucumber Dill Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is light, creamy, and so fresh. It uses Greek yogurt for a tangy dressing, making it a perfect healthy meal idea.
The fresh dill and cucumber add bright flavors, making this a great option for a packed lunch or a simple dinner side.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Greek Yogurt Base: Using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise makes this chicken salad lighter and adds a good amount of protein.
- Fresh Dill: Don’t skip the fresh dill. It gives a unique, bright, and slightly sweet taste that really brings out the freshness of the cucumber.
What You Need for this Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make This Fresh Chicken Salad
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables
First, make sure your cooked chicken is ready. You can shred it or dice it into small pieces, whichever you prefer. Then, finely dice your cucumber and chop the fresh dill.
Step 2: Mix Your Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the prepared chicken, diced cucumber, and chopped dill. Add the Greek yogurt and lemon juice. Mix everything gently until all ingredients are well combined and the chicken is coated.
Step 3: Season and Serve
Season your chicken salad with salt and black pepper to your liking. You can serve it right away, but I think it tastes even better if you chill it for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors blend.
📝 Final Note
This cucumber dill chicken salad keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s great for meal prepping!
Easy Fresh Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe
This is a classic chicken salad recipe made extra special with fresh cucumber. It’s creamy, crunchy, and full of good taste.
Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or just enjoyed by itself, this recipe is simple and always a crowd-pleaser.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Crisp Cucumber: Dice your cucumber well to get a nice refreshing crunch in every bite. It adds texture and lightens the richness of the dressing.
- Dijon Mustard: A small amount of Dijon mustard brightens the mayonnaise dressing without overpowering the other ingredients. It adds a subtle kick.
What You Need for this Cucumber Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 20 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4-6 servings
How to Make This Easy Chicken Salad
Step 1: Chop Your Ingredients
Start by preparing your chicken, cucumber, celery, and red onion. Make sure the chicken is cooked and then dice it or shred it. Finely chop the cucumber, celery, and mince the red onion to get an even texture in your salad.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until smooth. Season this dressing with salt and black pepper. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if you need to.
Step 3: Combine and Chill the Salad
Add the chopped chicken, cucumber, celery, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Mix everything together carefully until all the ingredients are coated. For the best taste, cover the bowl and chill the chicken salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
📝 Final Note
This cucumber chicken salad is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.