• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
My Sequined Life logo
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Healthy Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

    Published: Mar 29, 2018 · Modified: Jul 12, 2021 by Alyssa · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Share via Email

    Chicken salad lettuce wraps are a healthy lunch or dinner option with a bold and smoky flavor. Greek yogurt is an easy swap that makes this chicken salad a better-for-you meal.

    An overhead picture of three cups of lettuce on a rectangular tray filled with chicken salad.

    I love the whole concept of lettuce wraps because they're a healthier, delicious choice to order when out that are usually filled with a wonderfully savory mixture, but if that mixture is even the slightest bit too liquid-y? That's not good. Soon I'm asking for extra napkins and trying my hardest to keep the sauce from running up my sleeves.

    Not exactly the basis of a relaxing meal, right? Thankfully you won't be running for emergency napkins with these chicken salad lettuce wraps. Based on my very favorite curry chicken salad recipe, this smoky, tangy version is even more lightened up with wiggle room for you to make it your own.

    Reasons To Love This Recipe

    • This smoky chicken salad has a great texture. It's not too gloopy as many chicken salads can be, but has just enough of the binding ingredients to hold everything together well without excess moisture.
    • This recipe has plenty of room for customization. Freshly cooked, leftover, OR rotisserie chicken works perfectly, the spices and mix-ins can be tweaked, dairy-free mayo/yogurt can be subbed in, etc.
    • Because these lettuce wraps can be served hot, warm, or cold, this recipe makes a great choice for a healthier meal prep dish.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Chicken salad lettuce wraps ingredients labeled in separate containers.
    • Chicken: To keep things easy, you can use the meat from one whole rotisserie chicken (there's wiggle room), which usually yields somewhere between four and five cups of meat.
    • Mayo: Lite mayo cuts the calories by half when compared to regular mayonnaise, and combines 1:1 with Greek yogurt for a better-for-you creamy "sauce", if you will, for chicken salad.
    • Yogurt: With all the bold flavors here to mask the tang, Greek yogurt blends right in to act as a stealthy and healthier ingredient substitution. Be sure to use plain yogurt, with either Greek or regular varieties working well.
    • Pecans: Pecans are pictured here, but walnuts, cashews, or even sliced almonds make great options. Of course, you don't have to include nuts at all, either.
    • Lettuce: Either butter or bibb lettuce works well for these lettuce wraps as both varieties have wide, flexible leaves that can handle being wrapped around filling.
    • Spices: The smokiness here comes from the addition of smoked paprika, which is an easy spice to add that brings the flavor in a big way.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. If starting with raw chicken, cook it and let it cool slightly to be handled before shredding it into bite-sized pieces to set aside. Then add the binding ingredients and spices to a mixing bowl: Greek yogurt, lite mayo, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, curry powder, garlic powder, and ground mustard.
    2. Whisk well to combine everything. Adjust seasonings to taste.
    • Mayo, yogurt, vinegar, and spices in a bowl with a whisk.
    • Smoky chicken salad sauce in a metal mixing bowl with a whisk.
    1. Add the cooked and shredded chicken, onion, celery, and pecans (if using) to the bowl.
    Chicken, pecans, celery, and onion in a mixing bowl.
    1. Using a spatula or a spoon, stir the chicken salad up until the chicken is coated evenly by the yogurt/mayo mixture. If you prefer more of a sauce, feel free to add addition mayo or yogurt as you like at this point.
    Chicken salad mixed together in a bowl with a spatula.
    1. Scoop portions of the smoky chicken salad into the center of the butter or Bibb lettuce leaves. Take care to leave sufficient margins around the outside of the leaves and not overstuff them so that you can fold and hold the wraps without chicken salad spilling out.
    Three chicken salad lettuce wraps on a tray.

    Expert Tips

    • If you have raw chicken breasts and would like to cook your own in the Instant Pot, you can see those instructions in my healthy buffalo chicken dip post.
    • I recommend storing the chicken salad separately from the lettuce leaves and assembling just prior to eating. This keeps the lettuce crisp.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is the best lettuce for lettuce wraps?

    Butter and Bibb lettuce varieties are top-notch for lettuce wraps as they have broad leaves that can withstand bending and folding. Green or red leaf lettuce varieties can also work well.

    What to serve with chicken salad lettuce wraps?

    Roasted garlic hummus and pita chips, lemon quinoa salad, and spiced oven roasted sweet potatoes all make nice pairings for these wraps.

    How long does chicken salad keep?

    This smoky chicken salad should stay for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, but as always, if something looks or smells off beforehand, it's best to err on the side of caution and toss it.

    A hand holding a chicken salad lettuce wrap cup.

    Related Recipes

    • Buffalo Chicken Salad
    • Healthy Tartar Sauce
    • Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing
    • Healthy Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing

    If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating in the recipe card and/or a comment review below!

    A hand holding a chicken salad lettuce wrap.

    Healthy Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

    Healthy chicken salad lettuce wraps are a tasty lunch or dinner option with a bold and tangy flavor. Greek yogurt is an easy swap that makes this chicken salad a better-for-you meal.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 318kcal
    Author: Alyssa

    Ingredients

    • 4-5 cups cooked shredded chicken or amount from one rotisserie chicken
    • ½ cup chopped celery about 2 ribs
    • ¼ cup chopped onion about half a small onion
    • ¼ cup pecan halves chopped (or walnuts or cashews)
    • ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
    • 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon curry powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground mustard
    • Butter, bibb, or green leaf lettuce leaves
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, curry powder, and ground mustard.
    • Shred chicken and add it to the bowl with the yogurt/mayo. Add the celery, onion, and pecans.
    • Stir everything up until it's coated evenly, then scoop chicken salad into lettuce leaves for serving. Top with additional pecans and smoked paprika if you like.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes
    Chicken: This recipe uses the meat from one average-sized rotisserie chicken. If using leftover chicken or cooking it specifically for these lettuce wraps, aim to end up with between 4-5 cups of meat. 
    Yogurt/Mayo: While a 1:1 ratio balances the tang, you can use all yogurt or all mayonnaise if you prefer.
    Recipe Tips
    • A quick way to shred cooked chicken is to put it in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low speed just until it breaks up. Take care if the chicken is still hot from cooking and cover the bowl with a clean dish towel so you don't get too close to the steam or any hot pieces.
    • Store chicken salad in the refrigerator separately from the lettuce leaves if you have leftover portions, assembling just prior to serving. The lettuce will stay crisper that way.
    • This smoky chicken salad can be served hot, warm, or straight-from-the-fridge cold.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.6g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2.6g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 421mg | Potassium: 349mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1.3mg
    Tried this Recipe?Tag @mysequinedlife - I love to see what you're making!

    Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.

    Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer

    « Pineapple Upside Down Cake Frozen Yogurt
    Lightened Up Vodka Sauce »
    • Facebook
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erica Acevedo says

      March 29, 2018 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      I have that same "juicy sleeves" problem with tacos! This sounds like my kind of chicken salad, for sure, and I'm totally into lettuce wraps right now (that wannabe bathing suit body isn't going to tone itself!)

      Reply
    2. michele says

      March 29, 2018 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      These were fantastic... I stumbled across this while I was hungry and I had everything to make them. I love the addition of the pecans for the added crunch! I think Im addicted.... I want to make them again tomorrow for lunch!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    A picture of a woman smiling with a text overlay reading well, hey there.

    Hi! I’m Alyssa and welcome to my food blog. Here you can find a variety of food and drink recipes, running the gamut from better-for-you main dishes to holiday fare, and from lighter bites to some serious desserts. All with the occasional cocktail recipe thrown in for good measure, too. ♥ Learn more →

    As Featured In...

    A collage of publication logos.

    Simple, Tested Basics

    • The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
    • Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • Oven Roasted Frozen Broccoli
    • How to Caramelize Onions
    • How to Make Croutons
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
    • Air Fryer Baked Potato
    • How to Roast Garlic

    Popular Recipes

    • Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
    • Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Italian Baked Turkey Meatballs
    • Southern Instant Pot Collard Greens
    • Italian Anise Cookies
    • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Contact

    Policies

    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
    • Accessibility Statement

    More

    • Recipe Index
    • Dinner Hall of Fame
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Air Fryer Favorites

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2013 - 2023 My Sequined Life