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The BEST Green Goddess Chicken Salad

The BEST Green Goddess Chicken Salad

The BEST Green Goddess Chicken Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish combining tender chicken, crisp mixed greens, creamy avocado, and a luscious homemade Green Goddess dressing. Perfect for lunch or light dinners, this salad offers bright, herbaceous flavors with a creamy yet light texture, coming together in under 30 minutes for an easy, satisfying meal.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Salad

  • Cooked chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups)
  • Mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, spinach) – 4 cups
  • Avocado, diced – 1 medium
  • Green onions, finely chopped – 2
  • Cucumber, diced – 1 medium
  • Celery, diced – 1 stalk
  • Fresh parsley, chopped – 2 tbsp
  • Fresh tarragon, chopped – 1 tbsp
  • Fresh chives, chopped – 1 tbsp

Dressing

  • Greek yogurt – 1/2 cup
  • Mayonnaise – 1/4 cup
  • Lemon juice – 2 tbsp
  • Garlic, minced – 1 clove
  • Dijon mustard – 1 tsp
  • Anchovy paste (optional) – 1/2 tsp
  • Salt – 1/2 tsp (adjust to taste)
  • Black pepper – 1/4 tsp (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Start with cooked chicken breast—grilled, roasted, or poached—and chop it into bite-sized pieces to keep the salad juicy and tender.
  2. Make the Green Goddess Dressing: In a blender or bowl, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, optional anchovy paste, fresh parsley, tarragon, chives, salt, and pepper. Blend or whisk until smooth and creamy.
  3. Chop Vegetables and Herbs: Dice the avocado, cucumber, and celery, and finely chop the green onions along with additional fresh herbs, creating a colorful and crisp mix.
  4. Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, chopped vegetables, chicken, and dressing. Gently toss to ensure everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
  5. Serve Immediately or Chill: Serve the salad right away to enjoy maximum crispness or chill for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld beautifully before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, and chives for the best dressing flavor.
  • Start with less dressing and add more as needed to avoid soggy greens.
  • Cook chicken just until juicy and tender to prevent dryness.
  • Keep vegetables and dressing chilled for a refreshing salad.
  • Make the dressing a day ahead to deepen the herbal flavors.
  • Store leftover salad in an airtight container and keep dressing separate to maintain crispness for up to two days.
  • Salad does not freeze well due to creamy dressing and greens.
  • Reheat chicken gently if serving warm, and mix with fresh greens and dressing before serving.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes (if cooking chicken fresh)
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: No-cook/Blending
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 salad serving
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: Green Goddess Chicken Salad, healthy chicken salad, creamy herb dressing, light chicken salad, easy lunch recipe, fresh chicken salad