The 5-Minute Chicken Salad I Can’t Stop Making

In a strange turn of events for a food writer, a couple of years ago I started taking a medication that had the unfortunate side effect of dampening my appetite. It initially caused me to lose a lot of weight, so I've had to learn to be even more intentional about getting the nutrients I need. 

I'm always looking for easy, appealing, protein-packed meals and snacks that feel exciting and satisfying for the times when I don't feel like eating but have to (my new reality). This is how this two-ingredient chicken salad came to be. It's so simple to make that it feels silly even calling it a recipe, but this little number has been a godsend in my quest to sneak more protein into my diet. 

My chicken salad comes together in about five minutes flat, requires zero cooking skills, and tastes much fancier than it is. It's the ultimate lazy lunch hack that doesn't taste lazy at all.

What's the Best Green Goddess Dressing For This Chicken Salad?

This recipe has just two ingredients: chicken and green goddess dressing. That means your choice of dressing is pretty important. I usually make my sandwiches with a homemade green goddess dressing that helps me use up an abundance of seasonal garden herbs, and I can adjust based on personal preference. 

In the off-season, I pick one up from the store. For this story, I tested out four popular store brands to give you the low-down on the best green goddess for this salad/sandwich situation. Here are my takeaways:

• The Winner: Primal Kitchen Green Goddess Dressing & Marinade is thick, tangy, and perfectly balanced, with a hint of mustard seed that pairs beautifully with chicken. All the herbs in the dressing are dried, so I was surprised I liked it so much. It’s gluten-free and dairy-free and is also tasty as a dip.
• Close Seconds: The Whole Foods 365 Organic Green Goddess Dressing & Dip is creamy, slightly tangy, and heavy on the herbs. It has a wonderful, light, but creamy texture, and I love that it's one of the only options that uses basil (a favorite herb) and dairy, specifically buttermilk and milk. Gotham Greens Vegan Goddess Dressing & Dip is a darker green, deeply herbal dip that's thick, creamy, zingy, and slightly sweet.

Tips For Making This Dish Even Easier

I use rotisserie chicken that I prep using this hack (it's genius), which makes the work even easier. I break the chicken apart when it's warm, chop it up, and put it in the fridge or freezer for when I need it. Whether you make this chicken salad or not, I highly recommend breaking down your chicken this way from now on.

Or batch-cook chicken using whatever method you love best, then chop it up, divide it into your desired serving sizes, and put it into the freezer for when the protein-craving strikes. You can poach, boil, roast, pressure cook, slow cook, air-fry, or grill your chicken. Do what's easiest and most convenient for you.

How To Make My 2-Ingredient Chicken Salad

For about a cup of chicken salad, perfect for a lunch for two or leftovers the next day, you’ll need:

• 1 cup chopped, cooked chicken (about 4 to 5 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons green goddess dressing, or to taste

In a medium bowl, mix the chicken and dressing together, keeping most of the chicken in chunks. Taste and adjust, adding more dressing or a pinch of salt and pepper if needed. That's it. You're done! 

The Best Add-Ins For Green Goddess Chicken Salad

While this chicken salad is delicious on its own, I love to jazz it up when I have the time. I've mixed in all of the following add-ins with great success and suspect there are many other ways to enjoy it.

• Finely diced red onion, for a bit of bite
• Finely diced chili, for some heat
• Chopped green grapes or Granny Smith apple, for a bit of sweetness
• Finely chopped celery, for some texture and crunch
• Dried cherries, for a tart kick

This two-ingredient wonder has become one of my favorite hacks for easy, quick, satisfying meals. It's proof that sometimes the simplest "recipes" are the best. The next time you're wondering how to cobble together a decent lunch, remember that chicken + green goddess = lunchtime magic.