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Spice up your chicken salad with this Easy Curry Chicken Salad recipe. Made with Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, and curry powder, the dressing is nothing short of mouth watering!
The best chicken salad you’ll ever try
If you ever find yourself in the mood for chicken salad but feel bored with the same old flavor, you need to try this. It’s the chicken salad that you know and love, but with an extra flavor that transforms it into something totally new: curry.
With just one flavor addition, this easy curry chicken salad becomes something new and delicious that you’re bound to love!
Like always, this chicken salad is filled with veggies like carrots, celery, and onion. I kept with tradition and used raisins, and also added a nutty crunch with sliced almonds!
And for the flavorful dressing, we’re using a mayo and Greek yogurt combo for a rich, creamy addition that also packs in the protein.
Ingredients in simple curry chicken salad
For this recipe we’re starting with the base (chicken, veggies, seasonings), and then we’re making a delicious curry dressing to go on top. Once everything is assembled, you have a flavorful mixture to eat on bread, with crackers, or in a salad!
Salad
- Chicken: First up on our ingredient list we have 4 cups of chicken. Make sure it’s already cooked when you go to make this recipe.
- Celery: Next, we will use 2 celery stalks, chopped into small pieces.
- Carrots: Throw in 2 carrot sticks, also chopped small.
- Red onion: As for onion, 1/2 cup of diced red onion will be plenty.
- Almonds: I like to add a bit of nuttiness by including 1/2 cup of sliced almonds.
- Raisins: Using raisins will add a subtle sweetness. Go for 1/2 cup.
- Cilantro: Finally, include 1/2 cup of fresh, chopped cilantro.
Dressing
- Greek yogurt: First up for the curry dressing will be a Greek yogurt base. You will need 1/4 cup of plain yogurt.
- Mayo: Add another 1/4 cup of mayo to help thicken up the dressing.
- Lemon juice: Next, we’ll add a bit of tang with 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
- Curry powder: And finally, the curry flavoring! Add 1 tbsp of curry powder.
- Salt & Pepper: Last but not least, throw in 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper (each).
Everything you’ll need to make this dish
You’ll only need about 6 items to create this recipe. Start with a cutting board and chopping knife to prep your veggies, and then grab a few mixing bowls to assemble everything. Here’s a complete list:
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Stirring utensil
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
For measuring, you will need the following sized cups: 1/2 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make this easy curry chicken salad recipe
When you start this recipe with already-cooked chicken, it comes together in just about 5 minutes. Simply chop everything up, mix it together, pour the dressing on top, and you’re done!
First, prepare the chicken and vegetables by chopping them into small pieces (the chicken should already be cooked).
Then, add the chicken, celery, carrots, onion, almonds, raisins, and cilantro to a large bowl.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and combine.
Let chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
How to serve curry chicken salad
Chicken salad can be enjoyed in so many different ways!
You could go the classic route and eat it on bread with lettuce and tomato, or serve it up on lettuce for a salad-style lunch. Or for more of a snack, eat it with crackers!
Substitution Tip
Want to make a vegan-friendly chicken salad, or need a way to remove the dairy? Here are some ingredient alternatives that should work!
- Chicken: First up, we have the chicken. This ingredient does serve as the bulk of the recipe, but you can swap it with chickpeas! You’d probably need about 1.5 – 2 cans for an even swap.
- Greek yogurt: Easily enough, you can swap Greek yogurt with a simple dairy-free yogurt. Just be sure to use a plain version!
- Mayo: Did you know they make vegan mayo? I didn’t realize this until recently, but it’s perfect for instances like this! Swap in the dairy-free stuff for a vegan chicken salad!
Storing leftovers
Leftover chicken salad should be kept in the refrigerator and enjoyed within about 3 days. Be sure to use a tightly sealed container to keep things fresh.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Dying for some more easy recipes that you can whip together with your eyes closed? I have you covered! Try any of these tasty meals for a simple dish that’s ready in no time.
- Skillet Cornbread
- Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs
- BBQ Baked Tempeh
- Tuna Patties with Spicy Aioli
- White Chicken Chili (Stovetop or Crockpot)
Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.
Easy Curry Chicken Salad
Spice up your chicken salad with this Easy Curry Chicken Salad recipe. Made with Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, and curry powder, the dressing is nothing short of mouth watering!
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken,
- 2 stalks celery, chopped small
- 2 carrots, chopped small
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Prepare your chicken and veggies by chopping small.
- Add chicken, celery, carrots, onion, almonds, raisins, and cilantro to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients.
- Pour dressing over chicken mixture and mix to combine.
- Let chill in fridge at least 1 hour before serving.
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Sydney Small says
So easy and so delicious. I had lunch for over a week!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sydney, so happy you loved it!!
Emma says
So good!! Perfect meal prep for work lunches.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emma, so happy you loved it!!
bailey says
SO GOOD! I woke up wanting to eat this for breakfast, it was so good. I think this would be great with tofu for people wanting a vegan swap, too! Thanks, Erin, for another amazing recipe 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Bailey, so glad you enjoyed it and yes that would work!
Megan says
Yum. Love a curried chicken salad. This is a go to lunch recipe for me.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so glad you loved it!!
Rachel S says
This is a 10/10 recipe! So flavorful and delish! My husband called it restaurant quality and specifically said he could envision it served at a deli as the curry chicken salad sandwich option. Enjoying this all week for lunch… yum! Will definitely be making this again. Thank you!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Rachel, so glad you both loved the salad! 🙂
Maddison says
Okay, this is the bomb!! Made it this weekend before we went golfing. Super easy and quick to make. We ate it all and had to make it again the next day it was sooooooo good!!
Love the flavours and we had it plain but also in a wrap!! AMAZING!!
Thank you ERIN!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maddison, I am so glad you loved it! 🙂
Nicole says
Have been making this once a week for many weeks in a row now! Light and fresh and healthy! Usually put it in a wrap and have added grapes a few times. Soo yummy!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so happy you loved it!!
Katherine H. says
I have made this multiple times now for weekly meal prep and it’s a great recipe! Even if you don’t have all of the ingredients (I never have raisins) it’s super easy to sub in what I have on hand! Also, it’s husband approved 😉
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katherine, I am so glad you love it and make it your own!
Natalie says
This was soooo good and very versatile. I skipped the raisins and celery, just used what I already had – cilantro, onion, carrots, chicken – and and it was still really good. I had it in wraps and with just crackers… honestly the simplest idea but delicious.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Natalie, so glad you loved it and made it your own!!
Carissa says
Another win…every recipe of yours is delish! (Although this is the first one I have reviewed).)I am super picky about chicken salad and this was just incredible. Perfect balance of sweetness and flavor! Definitely will be making this again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Carissa, so glad you loved the salad. Thanks for sharing!!
Hannah Neville says
Here I am again writing another review on a recipe by Erin because this was amazing!! If you want a major upgrade on your original chicken salad recipe, then you must make this! So much flavor. So much goodness. It has a little spice and a little sweetness for the perfect combo. I swapped the almonds for walnuts and added some garlic powder to mine. This was such a delight!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, I am so glad you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for your kind words and love you made it your own!! 🙂
gab says
What kind of Curry powder did you use?
Erin says
Hi Gab, I use Penzey’s ‘The Now Curry.’ Let me know how yours came out!
Kailey says
This recipe is perfect! I love the Whole Food curry chicken salad but have been able to get there recently. This is a perfect dupe. I swapped out two cans of chickpeas for the chicken for a vegetarian option.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kailey, so glad you loved it so much and made it your own!
Laura Ruffing says
Hi Erin! After picking up a Rotisserie chicken from the store, I was so excited to try your recipe, mostly because I absolutely love Indian food and curry-anything! I subbed the raisins for dried cranberries and subbed the red onions for sliced scallions that I had already prepped. I decided to make a sandwich using my fav gluten-free Canyon Bakehouse sliced bread….OMG!! It was SO delicious 🥪 🥳👏🏻🤤
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Laura, I am thrilled you loved it!! Thanks for sharing and great idea with the bread!!
Isabel says
Just made this and it is perfect!! Exactly what I was craving, and so delicious! Thanks Erin for another great recipe 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Isabel, so glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah T says
Another one of Erin’s recipes I’m in love with! I’ll be having this for lunches the rest of the week!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so glad you enjoyed it!
Christina says
obsessed. Huge chicken salad fan, this one will be make it into my weekly lunch menu.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Christina, I am so glad you enjoyed it!!
Taylor says
This is AMAZING!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Taylor, I am glad you liked it!
Olivia says
So so good! The whole family loved it.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Olivia, so happy your family enjoyed it!!
Hannah says
An awesome, cost effective and simple to make version of the TJs curry chicken salad, with non crazy ingredients! Greek yogurt as a sub for Mayo in this is such a great and healthified swap. I subbed in chickpeas and it was fabulous! And threw in apples because I didn’t have raisins. Thank you for this awesome recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own! 🙂