Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe with Curry (2024)

By Kim Hardesty

An easy low carb chicken salad recipe that takes advantage of leftover chicken or turkey. It's crunchy, sweet-savory, flavorful, and satisfying - perfect for those on a low carb keto diet.

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Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe with Curry (1)

I'm one of those crazy people who doesn't like turkey for Thanksgiving. I know, it's an embarrassing confession, but it's true. This year I cooked two beautiful 10 pound chickens to grace our Thanksgiving table and had quite a bit of chicken left over.

We had enough leftover chicken for another dinner and several lunch salads, but with the rest I made this curried chicken salad. It's something my family is guaranteed to like weather I serve it for lunch or for dinner.

I love chicken salad. It's something I make frequently because it is so versatile. I rarely cook chicken expressly for preparing chicken salad because any kind will do - poached, grilled, baked, rotisserie or fried in the pan. However, I prefer to use leftover turkey and chickenand of courserotisserie chicken.

Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe with Curry (2)

I always add green apple to my low carb chicken salad recipe because I like the sweetness and the crunch it brings, but I have also added jicama or water chestnuts for change or to lower carbs just a bit. I prefer to add a little curry powder to mine because I love the way it tastes with the onion and apple but feel free to leave it out and experiment with your favorite seasoning blends.

I like to put a serving of this chicken salad on a bed of crispy romaine or spoon it into a crunchy bell pepper, but eat it with a creamy avocado and you'll have a meal that will keep you full for hours and hours.

This easy chicken salad recipe takes no time to put together and gets better if it sits in the fridge over-night. I like mine rustic looking so I keep the pieces a little chunkier, but dicing the ingredients smaller makes it easier to stuff into halved bell peppers or avocados.

This Low Carb Chicken Salad with Curry is 5 net carbs per hearty serving!

NOTE: Substitute jicama for the apple to lower the carbs to 3 net carbs per serving.

Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe with Curry (3)

Low Carb Chicken Salad with Curry

An easy low carb chicken salad recipe that takes advantage of leftover chicken or turkey, turning it into something crunchy, sweet-savory, flavorful, and satisfying.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fast and easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 392kcal

Author: lowcarbmaven.com

Ingredients

Chicken Salad Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cooked chicken or turkey, diced
  • 1-2 tablespoon minced shallot or green onion
  • 4 ounces (1 small) Granny Smith apple or jicama, diced
  • 2 ounces walnuts, roughly chopped (or sliced almonds, pistachios or pecans), ½ cup

Curry Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
  • pinch of pepper or more to taste

Possible Additions

  • chopped green olives
  • diced red bell pepper
  • pomegranate seeds
  • dried cranberries
  • rasins

Instructions

  • Add all of the chicken salad ingredients to a medium bowl and distribute by stirring gently.

  • In a smaller bowl, combing all of the Dressing ingredients and whisk together.

  • Pour the dressing over the chicken salad and gently fold and stir until all of the ingredients are coated.

  • Taste and adjust the seasoning: If it tastes dull, add a little more lemon juice and a hint more salt. If the curry powder is too faint, add a little more. If you want it to taste a little more savory, try adding a little more pepper.

Notes

Substitute jicama for the apple for 3 net carbs per serving.

Nutrition Facts

Low Carb Chicken Salad with Curry

Amount Per Serving

Calories 392Calories from Fat 315

% Daily Value*

Fat 35g54%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 18g36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 35g | Fiber: 1g

Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe with Curry (4)

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Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe with Curry (5)

How to Poach Chicken For Chicken Salad

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Tina

    I just made this and boy is it fantastic! I used sliced, toasted almonds, a sweeter apple (because it's all I had), and added a small handful of dried cranberries. I also poached the chicken per your recipe. This is a keeper!

    Reply

  2. rachael

    Sounds delish! Cant wait to try it! Do you think I could make it a week ahead of a BBQ and freeze it for a 5 days?

    Reply

    • Kim Hardesty

      Hi Rachael. If I wanted to make it ahead, I would cook the chicken 5 days before and freeze, then cut up the veggies the night before making and refrigerate. Then you could mix everything together the day before serving. I wouldn't go any longer than than and I wouldn't freeze it. -Kim

      Reply

  3. Tom

    I doubled the recipe, made it as is, no extra additions, and had it for lunches last week. This is one of the best chicken salads I've ever had. The combination of flavors is just spot on! Sooooo good!

    Reply

    • Kim Hardesty

      I'm glad you like the recipe, Tom! -Kim

      Reply

  4. Susan

    Hi Kim, just left a comment on the poaching recipe...I love curry anything and this looks amazing. Enjoying your site. Your instructions are very well written and easy to follow and the personal tips add color, images as well, not something you reliably get from a food blog. Thank you.

    Reply

  5. Debbie

    I am looking forward to making this.

    Reply

  6. Matt

    I tried this on a piece of low-carb toast, and it was really good!

    Reply

    • Kim

      I'm glad you liked it, Matt. Have a great night. -Kim

      Reply

  7. Kelly

    Hi Kim, love your recipes! I am trying this with blueberries for an even lower carb version.

    Reply

    • Kim

      Kelly, ooooh, I like the idea of blueberries. I bet it will be wonderful. Thanks for the nice compliment. Have a wonderful New Year. -Kim

      Reply

Low Carb Chicken Salad Recipe with Curry (2024)

FAQs

How many carbs are in curry chicken salad? ›

Whole Foods Curry Chicken Salad (1 serving) contains 14g total carbs, 9g net carbs, 27g fat, 29g protein, and 410 calories.

Can you have curry on a low carb diet? ›

Most Indian curries are keto-friendly. They have a healthy combination of vegetables, paneer, tofu, and lean meat, like chicken. If curry doesn't fall under this umbrella, you can always replace unhealthy ingredients with better options like yogurt.

Is chicken curry high in carbs? ›

Chicken Curry (1 1/2 chicken breast with sauce) contains 8g total carbs, 6.2g net carbs, 13.4g fat, 22.8g protein, and 242 calories.

Does chicken salad chick have curry chicken salad? ›

Chicken Salad Chick - NEW! Madame Curry Chicken Salad. Traditional curry flavor with sweet golden raisins!

How many carbs are in 1 cup of homemade chicken salad? ›

Chicken Salad (1 cup) contains 2.3g total carbs, 1.6g net carbs, 31.9g fat, 29.4g protein, and 417 calories.

Does chicken salad have a lot of carbs? ›

And despite having “salad” in its name, it's often served on bread or in a wrap, rather than on a bed of leafy greens. Chicken salad tends to be is relatively low in carbs, fiber, and sugar and higher in protein, calories, and fat.

What can I eat with curry instead of carbs? ›

Thai and Indian curry dishes are often served with rice. Serving your dish on a bed of cauliflower rice is the best low-carb substitute. But riced cabbage or broccoli are great sides too! You can even serve them with veggie noodles like spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash.

Which curry is lowest carb? ›

One Indian curry with low carbohydrate content is chicken tikka masala, which is made with yogurt and tomato-based sauce and typically served with rice. Another option is a vegetable-based curry such as saag paneer or chana masala which are made with spinach and chickpeas respectively.

What is the best Indian food for low carb? ›

Tandoori dishes, tikka dishes (without sauce or curry), and kebabs are the lowest carb options. Avoid common carb-rich ingredients (tamarind paste, mango, chickpeas, dal, rice, naan, fried foods, potato, etc.). Plan ahead by looking for keto-friendly menu items and making keto Indian recipes.

What curry can I have on keto? ›

(Because you can totally go keto and be a vegetarian or vegan).
  • Vegetable masala.
  • South Indian egg curry.
  • Paneer makhani.
  • Cauliflower and kale curry soup.

What curry is healthiest? ›

Any Indian curries that are tomato-based, like tandoori, madras, jalfrezi, rogan and bhuna, are the lowest in calories. They average around 200-300 calories. If you want an even healthier option, consider a sauce-free dish like fish tikka (which is only 180 calories).

How unhealthy is curry chicken? ›

Thai curries are usually made with a hefty dose of coconut milk, and that won't do your diet any favors. One cup of the creamy milk packs in 400 calories. It also has 36 grams of saturated fat -- more than three times the recommended daily amount. For a healthier dish, order the grilled or barbecued curry chicken.

Why did Chick Fil A stop making chicken salad? ›

"It was slowing down our other processes and wasn't worth the complications it presented with how few people ordered it." It's true that efficiency is of paramount importance at most fast food establishments, which is why many of these restaurants look and feel similar to one another.

Is chicken salad actually healthy? ›

Definitely — chicken salad is full of lean proteins, minerals, and vitamins. It is low in sugar, carbs, and fiber while high in protein. Therefore, this low-calorie salad is good for your health.

What is Sassy Scotty at Chicken Salad Chick? ›

Sassy Scotty

A zesty blend of ranch, bacon, & shredded cheddar cheese.

How many net carbs are in chicken salad? ›

Chicken salad, plain (0.5 cup) contains 3.2g total carbs, 2.6g net carbs, 22.6g fat, 17.6g protein, and 290 calories.

Do curries have carbs? ›

Generally, a traditional chicken with a delicious curry sauce has about 9g net carbs for a one cup serving. However, you need to make sure the recipe was made with keto-friendly ingredients. That's why it's always best to make your own from one of these simple keto recipes!

How many carbs is in homemade chicken salad? ›

Generally, a basic chicken salad with chicken, mayonnaise, and vegetables may contain around 2-5 grams of carbohydrates per serving. However, the addition of other ingredients like fruits, nuts, or sweeteners can influence the total carb count.

How many carbs are in chicken curry without rice? ›

Calories in Chicken Curry (no rice)
Calories234.2
Total Carbohydrate9.7 g
Dietary Fiber3.1 g
Sugars2.4 g
Protein19.9 g
8 more rows

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