Trader Joe's chicken salad — Makes: *3 Servings*
Per Serving: *33g Protein | 367 Cal*

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve been here for a while, you know how much I LOVE Trader Joe’s. The brand makes so many sneaky healthy, high-protein products that I can easily incorporate to all kinds of meals and snacks throughout my week. Their Wine Country Chicken Salad is a classic. It’s a pretty traditional (though I’d argue slightly sweeter) take on chicken salad, featuring fruit, nuts, chicken, of course, and a creamy dressing. I love how versatile it is—I can serve it as a dip with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies, wrap it in a high-protein wrap or romaine lettuce, serve it over a salad, or pile it onto whole grain bread for a satisfying sandwich.

So I decided to recreate this classic at home, upping the protein and making it a little lighter, but still easy to throw together and perfect for meal prepping at the start of your week.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Trader Joe’s Chicken Salad Recipe

Packed with Protein: Each serving of this healthy chicken salad is packed with a whopping 33g of protein to help you meet your goals.
Made with a Lighter Dressing: Instead of a mayo-based chicken salad dressing, this version swaps in Greek yogurt for more protein and a lighter consistency. Plus, the yogurt, mustard, and apple cider vinegar add some tangy flavors to the salad.
Super Simple: This recipe is ready in minutes and is made with (mostly) kitchen staples, which means no special trips to the grocery store.
Great for Meal Prepping: Chicken salad is a meal prep superstar and this version is no different. It will store well for several days, which means lots of easy grab-and-go meals when you need them.

Ingredients

10 oz cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2½ cups, diced or shredded into bite-sized pieces - if you only have dark meat on hand, that will work too, though the nutrition makeup will be slightly different)
½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon light mayonnaise (optional, for extra creaminess)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup unsweetened dried cranberries, chopped very small (or swap for diced grapes)
¼ cup chopped pecans (toast them for extra flavor!)
¼ cup diced celery

Instructions

Prep the ingredients: Dice or shred the chicken, chop the cranberries and celery.
Make the creamy Dijon dressing: In a large bowl, add the Greek yogurt, mayo, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a large bowl. Whisk well until combined.
Add the salad components: Add the chicken, dried cranberries (or grapes), pecans, and celery to the bowl with the dressing. Use a spoon or rubber spatula and fold everything until well mixed and coated in dressing.
Taste and adjust seasonings: Give the salad a quick taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. If you’d like, chill the completed chicken salad in the fridge to let the flavors meld before serving.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Makes 3 Servings)

Calories: 367
Protein: 33g
Carbs: 25g
Fat: 15g

Swaps & Substitutions

Make it dairy-free: Instead of the Greek yogurt, use plant-based yogurt, avocado, or more mayo.
Use different fruit: Not into dried cranberries? Try dried cherries, fresh grapes, or even fresh diced apple for a sort of harvest salad feel.
Amp up the protein: Add in about ¼ cup of cottage cheese for an extra boost of protein.
Make it nut-free: Swap in sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds in place of the pecans. You could even add poppy seeds if you'd like.
Brighten up the flavor: Add a little fresh lemon juice or lemon zest to give the salad a fresher, tangy twist. You can also garnish with a little green onion. This will give the salad so much flavor.
Make it even easier: Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken or any other pre-cooked chicken you love to cut the prep time even further.
Make it a tuna salad (or try a bean-based version): Not a chicken eater? You can make this same salad with tuna or even chickpeas or white beans instead of chicken if you'd prefer.

Get Your Chicken Salad Fix With This Copycat Trader Joe's Wine Country Chicken Salad

In lettuce wraps: Scoop the chicken salad into romaine or butter lettuce for a fresh, light option.
With crackers or fresh veggies: Serve alongside your favorite crackers or fresh veggies like carrots, cucumber, or bell peppers.
In a high-protein or low-carb wrap: Pile the chicken salad onto a high-protein or low-carb wrap and roll it up.
On bread or toast: Make a sandwich with whole grain or high-protein bread (toasted or untoasted). You've got a few different sandwich options.
Over a bed of lettuce: Looking for an easy, low-carb way to serve your chicken salad? Try it over a bed of your favorite greens for a super simple (and super delicious) chicken salad salad situation. Make it even easier to throw together by using a salad kit or premade salad instead of composing one yourself. Bonus: because the chicken salad is already dressed, you won't even need to add dressing! It's one of my favorite ways to serve this copycat recipe!

FAQs

You sure can! I prefer to let this chicken salad chill for a few hours before serving because it gives the flavors time to meld. That means this recipe is so great for meal prep! You can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
You can cook the chicken for this salad any way you prefer. Poached, roasted, grilled, or air-fried chicken breast will all work well here. Make sure you cook the chicken until the internal temperature measures 165 degrees F. No time to cook? Use leftover chicken, pre-cooked chicken, or even pick up a grocery store rotisserie chicken for convenience.
If you’re looking for a lower-carb version of this chicken salad, try using fresh diced grapes instead of the dried cranberries, cut back on the honey, or serve it over greens or alongside veggies instead of with bread or crackers.
Looking to round out your meal? Try serving it with cherry or grape tomatoes, a little bit of kale salad, some fruit, or even a reduced-fat string cheese. Add some crispy chickpeas, tortilla chips, or potato chips for some crunch.

This high-protein, better-for-you chicken salad is perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a satisfying lunch. I hope it becomes a family favorite and a lunch staple! This just might be the last time you buy your chicken salad from the deli counter.