Today I am sharing a recipe for keto loaded chicken salad. This is a very simple and quick recipe to put together, making it a great choice for a fast lunch or a light dinner.
It is also designed to be fully keto-friendly, which is perfect for anyone following a low-carb lifestyle. The recipe is full of protein and rich flavors, so it is very satisfying and will keep you full. It’s a great dish to have in your rotation for busy days.
The best part about this chicken salad is how easy it is to prepare. You do not need to do any cooking, unless you are making fresh bacon.
The base of the recipe uses canned chicken, which saves a lot of time and effort. You simply drain the chicken and add it to a bowl. This makes it a perfect “no-cook” meal, which is especially nice on warm days or when you just don’t feel like using the stove.
We call this “loaded” chicken salad because it includes extra ingredients that add a lot of flavor and texture. We mix in crispy, chopped bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
This combination makes the salad much more interesting than a basic chicken salad. The saltiness from the bacon and the sharpness of the cheese work very well with the creamy base and the chicken.
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfectly Keto Friendly: All the ingredients, from the chicken and bacon to the cheese and sour cream, are high in fat and protein and extremely low in carbohydrates. You can enjoy a big bowl of this without any worry about hidden sugars or starches.
Almost Zero Carbs: If you are carefully tracking your macros, this recipe makes it easy. The main ingredients have almost no carbs, making this one of the lowest-carb meals you can eat.
High in Protein: This salad is a protein powerhouse. The canned chicken provides a huge protein base, and then you get even more from the bacon and the cheese.
This high protein content is essential for feeling full and satisfied, and it helps you stay strong while on your keto journey.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
- 1 can Canned Chicken (11.5oz) (use this canned chicken – amazon link) – or use cooked chicken.
- 2 tablespoons Mayo
- 2 tablespoons Sour Cream
- Garlic (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- Bacon (sliced)
- 2 oz Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
- Parsley or dill for garnishing (optional)
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy recipe:
Step 1
Drain the canned chicken. Then, add it to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2
Add the mayonnaise, sour cream and seasonings to the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly.
Step 3
Add the chopped bacon pieces and shredded cheese to the bowl.
Step 4
Mix everything one more until well combined. Serve with crispy bacon on top. Enjoy!
💡Tips
1. Get The Chicken Really Dry
This is the most important step for a creamy, perfect salad. Canned chicken is packed in water, and if you don’t get all that water out, your salad will be soupy and watery.
After you open the can, press the lid down hard to squeeze out as much water as you can. Then, dump the chicken into a fine-mesh strainer and use the back of a spoon or a fork to press down on the chicken and squeeze out even more.
For the best results, you can even spread it on a paper towel and pat it dry before putting it in your mixing bowl.
2. Use Crispy Bacon for the Best Crunch
The bacon is here to add flavor and, just as importantly, texture. You need the bacon to be very crispy. If the bacon is soft or chewy, it will just get lost in the creamy salad.
You want that crunchy, salty bite that contrasts with the soft chicken and cheese. The best way to do this is to cook your bacon in a pan, in the oven, or in an air fryer until it’s very crisp.
Let it cool completely on a paper towel to drain the grease, and then chop it up. If you use pre-cooked bacon bits, make sure they are the real, crunchy kind.
3. Let the Salad Rest for Better Flavor
You can absolutely eat this salad the second you finish mixing it. But if you have about 30 minutes to spare, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator.
This short “resting” time lets all the different flavors (the smoky bacon, the sharp cheese, the tangy sour cream, and the garlic) all mix together and get to know each other.
The salad just tastes better, and the flavors feel more complete after it has had a chance to chill.
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FAQ
Can I use fresh chicken instead of canned chicken?
Yes, you absolutely can! Canned chicken is used in this recipe to make it extremely fast and easy. If you have leftover cooked chicken, like from a rotisserie chicken or some chicken breasts you baked earlier, it works perfectly.
What is the best kind of canned chicken to use?
When you are at the store, you should look for canned chicken that is packed in water, not in oil. This is important for a keto recipe because you want to control the types of fats you are adding.
Keto Loaded Chicken Salad
Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 can Canned Chicken 11.5oz (use this canned chicken – amazon link) – or use cooked chicken.
- 2 tablespoons Mayo
- 2 tablespoons Sour Cream
- Garlic to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
- Bacon sliced
- 2 oz Cheddar Cheese shredded
- Parsley or dill for garnishing optional
Instructions
- Drain the canned chicken. Then, add it to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream and seasonings to the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly.
- Add the chopped bacon pieces and shredded cheese to the bowl.
- Mix everything one more until well combined. Serve with crispy bacon on top. Enjoy!
I like it so much!
Super quick and easy to make. I was skeptical about using canned chicken, but honestly, it turned out great!
This recipe is a total win! My husband and I loved it.