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If you love deli style chicken salad but want something lighter and healthier, this is the recipe for you! This Lightened Up Deli Style Chicken Salad delivers all the creamy, savory flavor you love without the calories. Chicken breast is finely shredded and combined with shallots and celery then dressed with light mayonnaise, rice vinegar and onion powder. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps or dipping with crackers this chicken salad is so versatile. This chicken salad is so quick and easy you’ll be making it on repeat all Summer.

Why you’ll love this chicken salad

This Lightened Up Deli Style Chicken Salad was inspired by @chefdaniellespsey on Instagram. It’s a clean, simple flavor-packed take on a classic. With just a few basic ingredients you get a delicious and satisfying dish that fits into your daily health goals.

Traditional chicken salad can be rich. Lots of full-fat mayo can really pack on the calories. This version keeps it light by using chicken breast, a little light mayonnaise and a splash of rice vinegar for brightness. Minced celery and scallions add the perfect crunch and flavor without overpowering the dish.

It’s the ideal balance of creamy, tangy and crunchy. Just like your favorite deli’s version, only healthier.

What you’ll need to make this Lightened Up Deli Style Chicken Salad

The ingredient list is short for this classic recipe.

chicken breast
- The key to this recipe is finely shredded chicken. I use my stand mixer to do this.
shallot
celery
light mayonnaise
- I always use Hellman’s Light mayo
rice vinegar
onion powder

How to make this deli inspired chicken salad

The recipe comes together in just minutes.

Use your stand mixer to finely shred the chicken. That is the key to making this chicken salad deli style.

Mince the celery and shallot. This will add nice crunch to the chicken salad.

In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, celery, shallot, light mayonnaise, rice vinegar and onion powder.

Stir until all the chicken is evenly coated.

Taste for seasoning. Add more onion powder or salt and pepper to your taste.

Store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill and let the flavors combine.

Healthy Serving Ideas

One of my favorite ways to eat chicken salad is to dip it with crackers. It’s the perfect snack-style lunch. You could also make a sandwich or wrap with it. To keep it low carb, you could eat it in a lettuce wrap. The possibilities are endless.

Check out these other light chicken salad recipes.

Lightened Up Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

This Lightened Up Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is an updated twist on a classic favorite. Cooked chicken is tossed in a blend of light mayo, Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, Dijon and honey. The dressing is creamy and tangy with just a touch of sweetness. Slivered almonds and scallions add brightness and crunch for a well rounded flavor profile. Make this for your lunch meal prep or a light and quick weeknight dinner.

Skinny Pesto Chicken Salad

My Skinny Pesto Chicken Salad tastes like something you would order at a quaint bistro for lunch. Herby homemade pesto sauce is mixed with a combination of light mayo and Greek yogurt to create a creamy dressing for shredded chicken breast. Paired with some fresh tomatoes and piled on top of a bed of mixed greens or a fresh roll, this chicken salad makes a perfectly healthy and delicious lunch.

Healthy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad

Healthy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad: the kick of hot sauce and the zing of ranch come together to create this unique chicken salad. Mixed with fresh carrots, celery and scallions, all the fixings of a buffalo chicken platter, this dish has it all rolled into one.