Herby Green Goddess Chicken Salad

Fresh herbs, tender chicken, crisp celery, crunchy walnuts, and a creamy lemony dressing come together in this Herby Green Goddess Chicken Salad. Made with Greek yogurt and a little mayonnaise, the dressing is rich and creamy without feeling too heavy, while fresh dill, basil, tarragon, mint, and parsley give every bite a bright herbal flavor.

This chicken salad is easy to prepare ahead of time and works beautifully for lunch, meal prep, sandwiches, wraps, or a light dinner. It is also a great way to turn simple poached chicken into something fresh and satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fresh and herby: Five fresh herbs give the salad plenty of flavor.
• Creamy but balanced: Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon, and Dijon create a tangy dressing.
• Great for meal prep: The flavors develop even more after chilling.
• Easy to customize: Add grapes, avocado, cucumber, or your favorite crunchy vegetables.
• Versatile: Serve it in lettuce cups, sandwiches, wraps, or over greens.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes if using prepared poached chicken
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Green Goddess Dressing

• 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced, grated, or crushed
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

For the Chicken Salad

• 1 pound poached chicken breast, chopped
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

How to Make Herby Green Goddess Chicken Salad

1. Make the Green Goddess Dressing

Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper to a large bowl.

Stir until smooth and creamy.

Add the green onion, dill, basil, tarragon, mint, and parsley. Mix well so the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the dressing.

2. Prepare the Chicken

Chop the poached chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces. You want the chicken to be easy to scoop onto bread or a fork without large chunks.

If the chicken is still warm, allow it to cool before mixing it with the dressing.

3. Combine the Salad

Add the chopped chicken, red onion, celery, and walnuts to the bowl with the dressing.

Gently toss everything together until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.

Avoid overmixing, especially if your chicken is very tender.

4. Chill Before Serving

Cover the chicken salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

This short resting time allows the lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs to blend into the creamy dressing.

Give the salad a quick stir before serving and taste for seasoning. Add a little more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

Recipe Tips for Success

Chop the chicken evenly

Small, evenly sized pieces make the chicken salad easier to eat and help distribute the dressing throughout the mixture.

Let the chicken cool first

Adding hot chicken to the dressing can make the salad watery and soften the vegetables. Cool the chicken completely before combining everything.

Use fresh herbs

Fresh dill, basil, tarragon, mint, and parsley are what give this salad its signature green goddess flavor. Dried herbs won’t provide the same fresh character.

Toast the walnuts

For extra flavor, lightly toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for a few minutes before chopping them. Let them cool completely before adding them to the salad.

Don’t skip the resting time

The salad can be eaten immediately, but chilling it for about 30 minutes gives the flavors time to come together.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Greek yogurt: Use plain whole-milk or low-fat Greek yogurt instead of nonfat yogurt.
• Mayonnaise: For a lighter version, replace some or all of the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
• Walnuts: Pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds can be used instead.
• Red onion: Shallots or extra green onion work well.
• Chicken breast: Leftover roasted or grilled chicken can be used instead of poached chicken.
• Fresh herbs: If you don’t have all five herbs, use the combination you have available, with dill and parsley being especially good choices.

Recipe Variations

Green Goddess Chicken Salad with Avocado

Add diced avocado just before serving for extra creaminess.

Chicken Salad with Grapes

Add halved red or green grapes for a sweet contrast to the savory herbs and lemon dressing.

Spicy Green Goddess Chicken Salad

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little finely chopped jalapeño to the dressing.

Green Goddess Chicken Wrap

Spoon the chicken salad into a large tortilla with lettuce, cucumber, and sliced avocado. Roll tightly and serve for an easy lunch.

Lettuce Cup Chicken Salad

For a lighter option, serve the chicken salad inside crisp butter lettuce or romaine leaves.

What to Serve With Green Goddess Chicken Salad

This chicken salad is versatile enough to serve on its own, but it also pairs well with:

• Toasted sourdough or whole-grain bread
• Crackers
• Lettuce cups
• Tortillas or wraps
• Mixed green salad
• Cucumber and tomato salad
• Fresh fruit
• Roasted vegetables
• Avocado toast

For meal prep, portion the chicken salad alongside fresh greens, fruit, and whole-grain crackers.

How to Store

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

It is best enjoyed within 3–4 days when kept properly refrigerated. Give it a good stir before serving, as the dressing may settle slightly.

For the best texture, keep extra walnuts separate and stir them in just before serving if you are preparing the salad several days ahead.

Can You Freeze Green Goddess Chicken Salad?

Freezing is not recommended for this chicken salad. The Greek yogurt-based dressing can separate after thawing, while the celery and fresh herbs may lose their crisp texture.

For the best results, prepare it fresh and refrigerate it for several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes. Rotisserie chicken is a convenient substitute for poached chicken. Remove the skin and bones, then chop or shred the meat before adding it to the salad.

Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?

Absolutely. In fact, making it a little ahead allows the flavors to develop. Prepare the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.

What is Green Goddess chicken salad?

Green Goddess chicken salad is a creamy chicken salad flavored with fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, and other bright ingredients. This version uses Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for the dressing and includes dill, basil, tarragon, mint, and parsley.

Can I make this without mayonnaise?

Yes. Simply replace the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt. The dressing will be slightly lighter and tangier.

How can I make the salad crunchier?

Add extra celery, toasted walnuts, cucumber, or chopped apples for additional crunch.

What can I put chicken salad on?

Try it on toasted bread, croissants, crackers, lettuce leaves, wraps, or a bed of mixed greens.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per serving:
Calories: 360
Protein: 38g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fat: 19g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4g

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

Final Thoughts

This Herby Green Goddess Chicken Salad is a simple way to make chicken feel fresh and exciting. The creamy lemon dressing brings together the bright flavors of dill, basil, tarragon, mint, and parsley, while celery and toasted walnuts add plenty of texture.

Serve it as a sandwich, wrap, lettuce cup, or simple lunch bowl for an easy meal that can be prepared ahead of time.

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