Chipotle Chicken Salad Recipe

Are you ready to elevate your lunch game with a spicy, smoky, and creamy recipe that hits every flavor note? Meet your new favorite meal: Chipotle Chicken Salad. This isn’t your average chicken salad—it’s a bold, refreshing dish that blends smoky chipotle heat with tangy lime, creamy yogurt, and crunchy vegetables for a vibrant and satisfying bite every time.

Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week, looking for a high-protein lunch, or need a crowd-pleaser for your next gathering, this chipotle chicken salad recipe has your back. Let’s dive into the ingredients, step-by-step preparation, and some creative serving ideas.

What Makes This Chipotle Chicken Salad Special?

Chicken salad is a classic, but it can get boring if you make it the same way every time. This recipe adds bold flavors from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, balancing them with the coolness of Greek yogurt and the richness of mayonnaise. Crunchy celery, zingy red onion, and fresh cilantro bring freshness and texture, while lime juice adds the perfect citrusy tang.

If you like your meals to be flavorful, healthy-ish, and ready in minutes, this chipotle chicken salad is about to become your go-to recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this salad come to life, gather the following:

• 2 cups shredded chicken (cooked and cooled)

• 2 stalks celery, finely diced

• ½ red onion, finely chopped

• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the can)

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

Feel free to adjust quantities depending on your spice preference or how creamy you want the salad.

How to Make Chipotle Chicken Salad

Making chipotle chicken salad couldn’t be easier. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Use either rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or leftover baked chicken. Shred it using your hands or two forks. Aim for bite-sized pieces that hold the sauce well.

Step 2: Chop the Veggies

Dice the celery and red onion into small, uniform pieces. You want crunch in every bite without large chunks overpowering the salad. Chop the cilantro roughly—it will add a burst of freshness.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Chipotle Dressing

In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, and smoked paprika. Stir until smooth and fully combined. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

Pro tip: If you love heat, toss in an extra pepper or a dash more adobo sauce.

Step 4: Combine Everything

In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, celery, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the chipotle dressing over the top and stir until every piece is coated. Taste again to adjust seasoning. Let the salad chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Serving Suggestions

Now that your chipotle chicken salad is ready, how will you serve it? Here are a few tasty ideas:

Classic Sandwich Style

Spoon it between slices of sourdough, multi-grain bread, or a buttery croissant for a rich, flavorful sandwich. Add a few lettuce leaves for crunch.

Stuffed Avocados

Scoop your chipotle chicken salad into halved avocados. It’s creamy on creamy with just the right amount of spice—perfect for a low-carb lunch.

On a Bed of Greens

Want something lighter? Serve a generous scoop on a bed of fresh greens like arugula, spinach, or romaine. Top with crushed tortilla chips for texture.

Lettuce Wraps

Use crisp romaine or butter lettuce leaves to wrap the salad. It’s a fun, hand-held way to enjoy this dish without the carbs.

Meal Prep Bowls

Portion it out in containers with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables for easy weekday lunches.

Tips and Variations

This chipotle chicken salad is super flexible. Here are some ideas to make it your own:

• Make it dairy-free: Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative or just increase the mayo.

• Add more veggies: Try adding diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or corn for extra crunch and color.

• Make it sweeter: Add a teaspoon of honey or a few chopped grapes for a sweet-spicy twist.

• Go paleo or Whole30: Use compliant mayo and skip the yogurt or sub with compliant coconut yogurt.

• Add crunch: Mix in roasted pepitas, sunflower seeds, or chopped almonds.

Why Greek Yogurt?

Greek yogurt adds creaminess while also boosting protein and reducing fat compared to an all-mayo dressing. It gives the salad a slight tang, which balances the smoky heat of the chipotle peppers beautifully.

Why Use Chipotle Peppers in Adobo?

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce bring two things to the table: smoky heat and rich, deep flavor. They’re not just spicy—they add a savory umami quality that transforms a basic chicken salad into something exciting. You’ll find them in small cans in the Latin section of your grocery store. A little goes a long way!

How to Store It

Store your chipotle chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 4 days, making it ideal for meal prep. If you plan to eat it later in the week, stir before serving to freshen it up.

Avoid freezing this salad—the mayo and yogurt may separate when thawed, changing the texture.

Final Thoughts

If you’re bored with traditional chicken salad, this Chipotle Chicken Salad is the spicy, smoky upgrade you didn’t know you needed. With a perfect balance of creaminess, crunch, and zest, it’s a versatile dish you’ll want to make on repeat. It’s quick to prepare, full of flavor, and endlessly customizable. Whether you stuff it into sandwiches, wrap it in lettuce, or eat it straight from the bowl, it’s bound to become a regular in your kitchen rotation.

Hungry yet? Grab a bowl, toss in your ingredients, and give this chipotle chicken salad recipe a try—you won’t regret it.

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Chipotle Chicken Salad Recipe

Smoky, spicy, and creamy Chipotle Chicken Salad made with Greek yogurt, shredded chicken, and bold flavors. Perfect for lunch or meal prep!

Type: Salad / Main Course / Lunch

Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: chipotle chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, spicy chicken salad, chipotle recipe, chicken salad with yogurt

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

Calories: Approximately 280 per serving

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes (uses pre-cooked chicken)

Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken (cooked)
• ½ red onion, chopped
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 1 tbsp adobo sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Recipe Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken:

Use either rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or leftover baked chicken. Shred it using your hands or two forks. Aim for bite-sized pieces that hold the sauce well.

Chop the Veggies:

Dice the celery and red onion into small, uniform pieces. You want crunch in every bite without large chunks overpowering the salad. Chop the cilantro roughly—it will add a burst of freshness.

Make the Creamy Chipotle Dressing:

In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, and smoked paprika. Stir until smooth and fully combined. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Pro tip: If you love heat, toss in an extra pepper or a dash more adobo sauce.

Combine Everything:

In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, celery, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the chipotle dressing over the top and stir until every piece is coated. Taste again to adjust seasoning. Let the salad chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes to let the flavors meld together.