Chicken, bacon, and ranch—made high-protein and lighter. Try this easy ranch chicken salad for a satisfying lunch. Serve it on bread, with crackers, or alongside fresh vegetables. If you enjoy this, also consider other chicken salads like Southwest chicken salad, classic chicken salad, or jalapeno popper chicken salad.
Emma’s 5-star review ⭐️ “Best chicken salad ever!”
Lightened Up, But Extra Delicious
Packed with protein, quick to prepare, and even better after a day in the fridge, this chicken salad is a reliable meal-prep favorite. Here’s why it works so well:
- High protein. Each serving delivers over 30 grams of protein to keep you satisfied.
- Quick and simple. Make a week’s worth of lunches with about 20 minutes of hands-on time.
- Great for meal prep. Unlike some leftovers, this salad develops flavor as it chills, making it an ideal prep-ahead option.
If you want more high-protein salads, try options like pesto orzo salad, Greek bean salad, or quinoa edamame salad.
Key Ingredient Notes
- Rotisserie chicken: I prefer rotisserie for ease and flavor. You can use shredded homemade chicken—just adjust seasonings accordingly.
- Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt: A combination keeps the salad creamy but lighter. You can swap to all yogurt or all mayo if you prefer; the total should be about a cup.
- Ranch seasoning powder: Ranch seasoning gives this salad its signature flavor. Use your preferred brand if Hidden Valley isn’t available.
- Turkey bacon: Turkey bacon keeps the recipe leaner, but regular pork bacon works fine too.
Scroll to the recipe card for the full ingredient list and detailed instructions.
How To Make Ranch Chicken Salad
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Mix, taste, and adjust the mayo, yogurt, or lemon juice as needed. Chill or serve immediately.
For meal prep, divide into single-serve containers and refrigerate for up to four days. Stir before serving if the dressing has settled.
Dietitian Tip! Keep the salad extra light by using only Greek yogurt and omitting mayonnaise, or use only white meat chicken.
What To Serve With Chicken Salad
- Crackers or chips: Serve as a dip with whole-grain crackers or tortilla chips.
- Vegetables: Pair with carrot sticks, cucumber slices, celery, or apple slices for dipping.
- Bread: Make a sandwich, an open-faced toast, or a tortilla wrap and slice into pinwheels.
- Greens: Spoon over a bed of mixed greens for a lower-carb meal.
Tips From My Test Kitchen
- Use rotisserie chicken. It adds robust flavor and saves time.
- Chop small. Finely dice the chicken and mix-ins so every bite is balanced.
- Chill for best flavor. Letting the salad rest a few hours in the fridge helps the flavors meld.
More High Protein Lunches
Here are a few other protein-packed lunch ideas to try:
- Cottage Cheese Salad
- Tunacado Sandwich
- Italian Grinder Bean Salad
- Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
If you tried this ranch chicken salad, please leave a star rating and share a photo on Instagram!
Ranch Chicken Salad
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 small rotisserie chicken, skin and bones removed, diced small
- 3 slices cooked turkey bacon, diced small
- 2/3 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 ribs celery, diced small
- 1 medium dill pickle, diced small
- 5 green onions, sliced thin
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 packet (28 g) ranch seasoning powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix until well combined. Taste and adjust yogurt, mayonnaise, or lemon as needed—rotisserie chickens vary in size.
- Serve right away or chill at least two hours for best flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute turkey bacon for regular pork bacon if you prefer.
- You can use all mayo, all Greek yogurt, or a combination—aim for about 1 cup total of dressing.
- The brand of ranch seasoning affects flavor; use your preferred brand.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.