Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This jalapeño popper chicken salad is the ultimate mix of bold flavor and balanced nutrition. It’s creamy, spicy, and packed with protein for the perfect easy, healthy lunch to prep ahead and enjoy all week.
Created by a dietitian, this recipe uses real ingredients like rotisserie chicken, bacon, and Greek yogurt to create a satisfying twist on the classic party appetizer. Scroll down for the full recipe, tips to lighten it up, and ideas for how to serve it your way.
Why you’ll love jalapeño popper chicken salad
- 30 grams of protein. This healthy recipe helps you hit your protein goals with a flavorful, satisfying lunch you’ll actually want to eat.
- Serve it your way. Try it in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option or on whole grain bread for extra fiber. It’s easy to customize.
- Tastes better over time. The bold, creamy flavors get even better as it sits, making it perfect for make-ahead lunches.
Ingredient notes
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and detailed recipe.
- Rotisserie chicken: This is my go-to for chicken salad because it’s flavorful, fully cooked, and requires minimal prep. Just remove the skin and shred or dice the meat before using. You can also use poached or baked chicken breast, or try my meal prep chicken thighs if you prefer to prep your own. Canned chicken works too, but you may need to adjust the seasoning if you use it.
- Bacon: Cook and crumble before adding to the salad for that classic jalapeño popper flavor. You can use regular, turkey, or chicken bacon.
- Plain Greek yogurt and mayonnaise: I like using a mix for the best balance of flavor and nutrition. The Greek yogurt lightens things up and adds protein, while mayo gives it that rich, creamy taste. You can use all yogurt or all mayo if you prefer. You can also use light mayo.
- Fresh and pickled jalapeños: I use both to add crunch and a mix of fresh and tangy flavor.
- Brine from pickled jalapeños: This is where the heat comes in. Add more or less depending on how spicy you want your chicken salad.
- Green onions: These add a pop of freshness. Chives work too if you want a milder onion flavor.
- Garlic powder and salt: Season to taste and adjust based on the saltiness of your bacon and chicken.
- Extra mix-ins: Feel free to make this chicken salad your own with other ingredients like finely diced celery, red onion, or chopped dill pickles. You truly can’t go wrong with chicken salad!
Swaps to make it lighter
- Use breast meat from your rotisserie chicken to minimize fat and calories.
- Swap pork bacon for turkey or chicken bacon, or leave it out entirely.
- Ditch the mayo and use 1 full cup of low-fat Greek yogurt instead. This reduces fat and adds extra protein.
How to make jalapeño popper chicken salad
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Stir thoroughly and refrigerate for several hours before serving. Enjoy!
Serving suggestions
This healthy, flavorful chicken salad makes the perfect lunch or protein-packed snack. Here are some easy ways to serve it:
- Dip: Scoop it up with crackers (I like Triscuit Thins for fiber), sliced veggies, or pita. Keep the salad separate until you’re ready to eat, then dip and enjoy.
- Lettuce wraps: For a low-carb option, spoon chicken salad into washed and dried bibb or butter lettuce leaves. Top with extra green onion or bacon bits for added crunch. Store chicken salad separately and assemble as you eat.
- Sandwiches or toast: Spread it on sourdough, whole grain bread, or your favorite sandwich bun. Serve open-faced or as a sandwich with toppings like lettuce, tomato, or pickles. This can be assembled right before eating, or packed to-go.
- Wraps: Fill a whole grain or high-fiber wrap for a portable, satisfying lunch. Toast your wrap for extra crunch.
- Salad topper: Scoop it over greens and quinoa for a quick, balanced meal. Add more veggies or a light drizzle of dressing if you want. If you’re taking this to-go, pack your dressing and jalapeño popper chicken salad separate from your greens.
Top tips
- Let it rest. Jalapeño popper chicken salad gets extra flavorful and creamy as it sits in the fridge, so refrigerate for a few hours before serving.
- Add toppings. This chicken salad shines with extra toppings like bacon crumbles, chives, hot sauce, or even micro greens. Add toppings right before serving for extra texture and flavor.
Common questions
Jalapeño popper chicken salad will stay good for up to four days in the fridge. Store in a large, airtight container, or portion into single-serve food containers for easy, grab-and-go storage. Stir before serving.
I like rotisserie chicken for chicken salad because it’s so flavorful and easy. If you’d prefer to prep your own chicken (breast or thigh work), or use canned, that’s fine too. Adjust the seasonings in your chicken salad as needed.
For a dairy-free chicken salad, use 1 cup of plant-based mayonnaise and skip the yogurt. This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Nope, but it is tasty! You can use regular bacon (the tastiest, in my opinion), turkey bacon, or chicken bacon, depending on your goals and preferences. If you want to skip it, I recommend adding 1/2 cup of aged, sharp cheddar instead.
For less spice, remove all seeds from your fresh jalapeños, and use less brine. For a spicier chicken salad, keep some seeds in your fresh jalapeños and/or add extra brine. You can also top your chicken salad with hot sauce or extra jalapeños when serving.
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Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken meat (skin and bones removed), diced small
- 3 slices cooked bacon, diced small
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise, use light if desired
- 3 fresh jalapenos, seeds removed and diced small
- 4-5 green onions, diced small
- 2 Tbsp pickled jalalepenos, diced small
- 1 Tbsp brine from pickled jalapenos, adjust to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
Equipment
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix until combined and fully smooth. Taste, and adjust salt or pickle brine as desired.
- For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 2-hours before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Bacon: Swap for turkey or chicken bacon for less fat and calories.
- Greek yogurt: I use non-fat or low fat Greek yogurt, but use any fat percentage you prefer. Higher fat Greek yogurt has more calories and less protein, and a less tangy flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Feel free to omit the mayonnaise and use a full cup of Greek yogurt.
- Storage: Jalapeno popper chicken salad will stay good for up to four days in the fridge. Store in a covered food container.
- Nutrition facts: Nutrition facts are calculated with chicken breast.
