Delicious & Healthy Hummus Chicken Salad: Your New Go-To Mayo-Free Recipe for Lunch & Meal Prep
Looking for a healthier twist on a classic? This delightful Hummus Chicken Salad is your answer! Ditch the heavy mayo for creamy, nutrient-rich hummus and enjoy a low-carb, low-calorie alternative that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or effortless meal prep, this recipe is designed to make healthy eating both delicious and convenient.
As someone who values a truly satisfying midday meal, I often find that a simple sandwich just doesn’t quite hit the spot. A substantial lunch is essential, especially after morning workouts, when my appetite is at its peak. This drives my constant exploration of diverse salad ideas. The beauty of salads lies in their incredible versatility and ease of preparation if you plan a little in advance. Think pre-cut vegetables, ready-to-use bagged greens, leftover roasted delights, crumbled cheeses, and lean deli meats – the possibilities are truly endless. Once I discover a salad recipe I genuinely enjoy, it quickly becomes a regular feature in my weekly meal rotation. For those interested in streamlining their healthy eating habits, I highly recommend checking out my post on weekly salad prep. It’s a game-changer for ensuring I incorporate more nourishing salads throughout the week, making healthy choices simple and sustainable.
This particular recipe for hummus chicken salad captured my attention during a recent holiday break. I stumbled upon it in the “Home Cooking The Costco Way” cookbook, a fantastic resource that Costco generously distributes in their stores usually once a year. My wonderful sister-in-law, Paula, always remembers to pick one up for me, and I am incredibly grateful for her thoughtfulness. The three Costco cookbooks I now own are absolute treasure troves, brimming with truly excellent recipes. While many of the recipes feature products typically carried by Costco, they are almost always adaptable. It’s incredibly easy to substitute with similar ingredients available at any local grocery store, making these recipes accessible to everyone, whether or not you’re a regular Costco shopper.
I instantly fell in love with this chicken salad. As a significant admirer of hummus and someone who isn’t particularly keen on mayonnaise, this recipe was an absolute revelation for my taste buds. It offered the perfect blend of creaminess and flavor without any of the richness I often find overwhelming in traditional mayo-based salads. For my version, I opted for the ultimate convenience by using succulent leftover rotisserie chicken from the deli, which added incredible depth of flavor and saved precious cooking time. For the hummus, I chose Sabra Lemon Hummus, whose bright and zesty notes perfectly complemented the chicken and fresh vegetables. To further enhance the fresh, vibrant taste, I squeezed additional lemon juice directly over my plate, transforming the salad into a truly refreshing and substantial entree. The cookbook suggests serving this Hummus Chicken Salad in crisp lettuce cups or soft wraps, and those presentations looked absolutely delicious. This recipe yields four generous servings, making it ideal for storing in airtight containers in your fridge. It’s perfect for a quick, healthy lunch on a busy workday or a light, satisfying dinner. Its fantastic flavor and ease of preparation make it a staple for anyone looking to incorporate more nutritious and flavorful options into their routine.
Beyond its delicious taste, this Hummus Chicken Salad offers a wealth of nutritional benefits. Hummus, made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil, is a fantastic source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and healthy fats. This combination helps keep you feeling full and satisfied longer, preventing those afternoon energy crashes. By replacing mayonnaise, which is typically high in unhealthy fats and calories, with hummus, you significantly reduce the overall calorie and fat content of the dish, making it a much lighter and more heart-healthy option. Furthermore, the inclusion of fresh vegetables like celery, green onions, and bell pepper boosts the vitamin and mineral content, adding a refreshing crunch and vibrant color. This salad is naturally low in carbohydrates, especially when served over a bed of crisp greens or in lettuce cups, making it an excellent choice for those managing their carb intake. It’s also gluten-free (just ensure your hummus is certified gluten-free) and dairy-free, catering to various dietary needs and preferences. Its simplicity doesn’t compromise on flavor or health benefits, making it a truly smart choice for any meal.
Creating this flavorful Hummus Chicken Salad is incredibly straightforward, allowing for quick assembly even on your busiest days. The beauty lies in its adaptability; while I loved using rotisserie chicken for convenience, any cooked chicken will do. You could grill chicken breasts specifically for this recipe, poach them for a leaner option, or even use baked chicken from a previous meal. The key is to have tender, flavorful chicken that can be easily cubed or shredded. When it comes to hummus, don’t hesitate to experiment with different varieties. While Sabra Lemon Hummus offers a bright, zesty kick that I adore, a classic plain hummus would also work beautifully, allowing you to control the added flavors. Roasted red pepper hummus could add a smoky sweetness, or even a spicy hummus for those who love a bit of heat. Finely dicing the celery, green onions, and bell pepper ensures an even distribution of flavor and texture throughout the salad, preventing any single ingredient from dominating. The sprinkle of salt and freshly ground pepper is crucial for enhancing all the natural flavors, so don’t skip it! This entire dish comes together in minutes, making it an ideal candidate for weekly meal prep. Simply combine all the ingredients, store it in the refrigerator, and you’ll have a wholesome, ready-to-eat meal whenever hunger strikes. The flavors meld and deepen over time, often tasting even better the next day.
Hummus Chicken Salad
Author: Aggie’s Kitchen
Category: Chicken
Experience a healthier, low-carb, and low-calorie take on a classic! This Hummus Chicken Salad replaces traditional mayo with creamy, flavorful hummus, making it a fantastic choice for a quick lunch or efficient meal prep. Enjoy the fresh flavors and satisfying texture without the guilt.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Sabra Hummus (or your favorite hummus, but Sabra offers fantastic flavor!)
- 2 tablespoons finely diced celery
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast (grilled, rotisserie, or any leftover cooked chicken works great)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for extra brightness)
- Bread or fresh salad greens, for serving
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the hummus, finely diced celery, chopped green onions, and red bell pepper. Add the salt and a generous sprinkling of freshly ground pepper. Stir these ingredients together thoroughly until well combined.
- Next, add your prepared cubed chicken. If you desire an extra zing and moisture, incorporate the optional lemon juice (or a touch of water if preferred) into the mixture. Stir everything gently until the chicken is completely coated with the flavorful hummus and vegetable blend, ensuring an even distribution.
- Serve your delectable Hummus Chicken Salad immediately with your choice of crusty bread, toasted pita pockets, or as a vibrant topping over a bed of your favorite crisp salad greens. It’s also excellent served in crunchy lettuce cups for a low-carb option!
Notes
This versatile recipe is slightly adapted from the “Home Cooking The Costco Way” cookbook, bringing a fresh, healthy perspective to traditional chicken salad. Feel free to adjust ingredients to your taste!
Embracing hummus in your daily meals opens up a world of healthy and exciting lunch possibilities beyond this fantastic chicken salad. It’s an incredibly versatile ingredient that can transform simple dishes into satisfying, nutrient-packed meals. If you’re looking for more innovative ways to enjoy hummus for a healthy lunch, here are a couple of my other favorite recipes:
Sriracha Shrimp and Hummus Lettuce Wraps: These vibrant wraps combine succulent shrimp, a spicy sriracha kick, and creamy hummus all nestled in crisp lettuce leaves. They’re light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor, perfect for a quick and low-carb meal.
Greek Salad and Hummus Pita Pizza: This creative pita pizza uses hummus as a flavorful base, topped with fresh Greek salad ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta. It’s a delightful and easy way to enjoy the classic flavors of Greece in a healthy, personal pizza format.
Beyond hummus, there are countless ways to make your lunches both healthy and exciting. Consider building grain bowls with quinoa or brown rice, packed with roasted vegetables, lean protein, and a flavorful dressing. Wraps filled with various veggies and a healthy spread offer another quick and portable option. Soups and stews, especially those packed with vegetables and legumes, are wonderful for cooler weather and can be made in large batches for easy reheating. The key is often thoughtful meal planning and preparation, which empowers you to make nourishing choices even on the busiest days.
Speaking of warming meals, last week, the esteemed Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club convened, and the theme was truly comforting: Soups and Stews. Unfortunately, due to a demanding travel schedule and simply not having all my ducks in a row, I was unable to participate in the actual cooking and sharing. However, I absolutely did not want you to miss out on the incredible culinary creations these talented ladies whipped up! Their menu was a testament to the versatility and heartiness of soups and stews, offering fantastic inspiration for your own kitchen. Here’s a glimpse of the delicious dishes they shared:
This Hummus Chicken Salad is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to rediscover your lunch routine with health, flavor, and convenience in mind. By making simple swaps like replacing mayo with hummus, you can significantly elevate the nutritional value of your meals without sacrificing taste. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week ahead, seeking a quick and satisfying lunch, or looking for a delicious, low-carb option, this salad ticks all the boxes. We encourage you to give it a try and discover how effortless and enjoyable healthy eating can be. Don’t forget to experiment with different hummus flavors and add your favorite vegetables to make it truly your own. Happy cooking!