High-Protein Savory Lunch
Everything Bagel Chicken Salad is a quick, savory, high-protein lunch recipe made with shredded chicken, creamy Greek yogurt, crunchy celery, scallions, and bold everything bagel seasoning. It has all the salty, garlicky flavor you love from an everything bagel, but in a lighter, no-mayo chicken salad that is perfect for meal prep, sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or easy weekday lunches.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup finely diced celery
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced scallions
- ¼ cup finely diced white onion
- 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Kitchen Tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Knife & cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Forks for shredding chicken
- Spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook: Boil chicken for 10–14 minutes, or use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time
- Chop: Finely dice celery and onion, then slice scallions for fresh crunch.
- Shred: Pull chicken apart with two forks until tender and bite-sized.
- Combine: Add chicken, yogurt, vegetables, everything bagel seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder to a bowl.
- Mix: Stir well until the chicken is fully coated and creamy
Pro Tips
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Texture: Use ½ cup yogurt for a drier chicken salad.
- Serving: Enjoy in sandwiches, lettuce wraps, on crackers, or over salad.
- Meal Prep: Chop vegetables ahead and use rotisserie chicken for a 15-minute version.
Main Body
This Everything Bagel Chicken Salad works because it brings big deli-style flavor into a lighter, protein-packed recipe. The Greek yogurt keeps it creamy without mayo, while the seasoning adds sesame, garlic, onion, and salty crunch in every bite.
The key is mixing everything really well. Everything bagel seasoning can settle unevenly, so stir until the yogurt coats every piece of shredded chicken. This gives the salad a balanced flavor instead of salty pockets.
Shredded chicken is ideal because it absorbs the yogurt and seasoning beautifully. Celery adds crisp texture, onion gives sharpness, and scallions bring a fresh savory finish that makes the recipe taste bright instead of heavy.
For busy lunches, this chicken salad is a smart meal prep option. Make it once, then serve it differently throughout the week: tucked into bread, spooned into lettuce cups, layered over greens, or scooped with crackers and cucumbers.
Avoid freezing this recipe because yogurt can separate and become watery. For the best flavor and texture, keep it chilled and enjoy it within four days.
Variation Recipes
- Everything Bagel Tuna Salad: Swap shredded chicken for tuna for a fast pantry-friendly lunch.
- Cheesy Chicken Salad: Stir in crumbled feta or goat cheese for tangy richness.
- Low-Carb Lettuce Wraps: Serve in romaine leaves with cucumber slices for extra crunch.
Conclusion
This Everything Bagel Chicken Salad is creamy, crunchy, savory, and simple enough for busy weekdays. Save it for easy meal prep, quick lunches, and healthy high-protein sandwich ideas.
Nutrition (Estimated)
| Serving | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 150 | 26g | 5g | 3g | 1g | 2g |
Disclaimer: Estimates vary by ingredients and tools.