Low Carb Chicken Salad (no mayo) Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

March 10, 2018February 18, 2024

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Sometimes eating healthier really is easy, like with this Low Carb Chicken Salad (no mayo). This lemon chicken salad with canned chicken recipe only takes 5 minute to prepare and is perfect served on your favorite type of lettuce. By using canned chicken, you can whip this dish up in no time.

Low Carb Chicken Salad (no mayo) Recipe

While mayonnaise is often used in chicken salad recipes, it is not a required ingredient. Leave the mayo out of this Low Carb Chicken Salad, replacing it instead with a simple olive oil-based dressing.

Mayonnaise can be a low carb and keto-friendly ingredient, but many brands of mayo are packed with sugar. Olive oil, on the other hand, is a go-to in the low carb world because it has zero net carbs.

Our Keto Chicken Salad recipe features a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. To keep the entire meal low carb, just grab some Romaine lettuce (or iceberg) to make a lettuce wrap, no bread needed.

Canned Chicken Salad Ingredient List

• Canned Chicken, drained and flaked
• Parmesan Cheese, shredded
• Lemon Juice, fresh if possible
• Lemon Zest (optional)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt
• Black Pepper

5 Minute Chicken Salad Recipe

Who doesn’t love a meal that takes 5 minutes to make? Plus, this chicken salad has only a handful of ingredients.

Barbara loves using canned chicken – one of her favorite pantry staples – for quick meal prep. If you have not tried canned chicken, you really should give it a shot. It is not only great to use in chicken salad, it also makes prepping your favorite casseroles quick and easy, or try this fun Chicken Crescent Bake using canned chicken.

Canned chicken is a low calorie, high protein pantry staple. It is a good idea to read the label to check the sodium content. You could rinse off the excess sodium by rinsing with water and draining before using in your recipes. Check out this post with all of our favorite recipes that can use canned chicken.

Do I need to cook canned chicken?

No, canned chicken does not need to be cooked at home before eating. The chicken gets cooked during the canning process. It is ready to go as soon as you open the can.

Recipe FAQS

• Canned chicken typically comes in 12.5 ounce cans. This means that one can of chicken breast equals approximately two chicken breasts.
• Be sure to drain and then lightly flake the canned chicken before adding the Parmesan cheese and other ingredients.
• For added flavor, zest the lemon before juicing, and add the lemon zest right into the Lemon Chicken Salad.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper together until the juice and oil are well mixed to form a dressing.
• Barbara often doubles this 5-Minute Low Carb Lemon Chicken Salad at the beginning of the week, and then takes it for her lunch the rest of the week.
• This Lemon Chicken Salad is the perfect amount to serve two people, and it is also easy to double or triple to feed a bigger crowd.
• If you are looking for a more traditional chicken salad, try our 3-Ingredient Chicken Salad (also made with canned chicken) or our Fancy Chicken Salad. You may also want to try our 10 Minute Lemon Chicken Pasta with Canned Chicken.

How to Make Keto Chicken Salad with Canned Chicken

Step by Step Instructions

1. Drain and flake canned chicken.
2. Add Parmesan cheese and mix.
3. In a separate bowl, make a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
4. Pour over chicken and mix.
5. To eat, serve as a sandwich or in a lettuce wrap.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours.

Full recipe and ingredient amounts for the BEST CHICKEN SALAD with Canned Chicken can be found below.

Recipe Variations

• Use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, poached, shredded chicken.
• Add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt to make it creamy.
• Fresh herbs such as fresh dill or fresh parsley are a great addition.
• Add diced avocado.
• Onions, green onions or fresh chives give great flavor.
• Add diced apples or pears, or dried fruit such as cranberries or raisins.
• A dash of Dijon mustard gives a tang.
• Simple seasonings and spices like garlic powder, onion powder and paprika can be added to taste.

Easy Low Carb Recipes

Salmon Patties

Tuscan Soup (with riced Cauliflower)

Keto Taco Soup

Low Carb Cream of Celery Soup

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.