4- Ingredient Shredded Chicken Salad Recipe

This shredded chicken salad recipe is the ultimate easy lunch. All you need are four ingredients and you have lunch for the entire week! Put it in a sandwich, on top of a salad, or as a dip for a healthy meal or snack

With the fall season upon us, it's back to school and back to reality time for many of us. Gone are the long summer days lounging by the pool, having a random mix of leftovers from the night before for lunch. Meal prep lunches are back which means the search for new, non-boring lunchbox ideas is constant. That is why I created the FALL into meal prepping challenge! For the next four weeks I'm going to be bringing you a new balanced lunch that you'll actually get excited about. Starting with: this shredded chicken salad recipe of your dreams!

Why you'll love this shredded chicken salad recipe

I created this BBQ shredded chicken salad specifically for anyone that has no time to make lunches. All you need is four ingredients, 10 minutes of working time and you have lunch for the ENTIRE week. Which means not only are you saving time in the morning, you are also saving money by having your lunch ready to go everyday. If isn't cause for celebration I don't know what is!

Still not convinced you need this shredded chicken salad? Here are three reasons why you need to add it to your weekly meal rotation ASAP:

1. It's easy! There's northing I love more than a "set it and forget it" meal. This gluten free chicken salad is perfect because all you need to do is add some salt and pepper to your chicken, pop it in the oven and then shred and mix everything together. While the chicken is cooking, use the time to get tasks done around the house! All you need is 10 minutes of hands on time and you have this amazing recipe.
2. It's healthy. As a Dietitian I don't usually like labeling foods as "healthy" or "unhealthy", mainly because I believe different foods have different purposes in our lives. However this chicken coleslaw salad is such a perfect option for a balanced meal. It's made with lean protein, veggies, and lightened up using Greek yogurt in place of some of the mayonnaise!
3. It's the perfect non-boring meal prep option. Are you someone that hates packed lunches because they are SO boring? This recipe is 100% for you then. Make a batch of this chicken salad and use it for a variety of meals to change it up and keep it interesting every day. Add it to salads, serve it in a wrap , eat it as a dip... the possibilities are endless!

Ingredients needed for chicken coleslaw

Bagged coleslaw- Grab a bag of coleslaw mix from your local grocery store. Any coleslaw mix will do, just make sure you choose one that DOESN'T have dressing pre-added. Real Canadian Superstore has great 'broccoli-slaw, kale-slaw and cauliflower-slaw' options as well! Another option is to shred up some carrots and cabbage yourself.... but who has time for that!

Chicken Breasts- All you need for this gluten free chicken salad is two skinless, boneless chicken breasts. I do not have a substitution for this because if there was no chicken it wouldn't be chicken salad!

BBQ sauce- I always recommend choosing a lower sugar BBQ sauce. Sauces can be a sneaky source of hidden sugars so it's always something I like being mindful of whenever I can. My personal favourite barbeque sauce is Stubbs original BBQ sauce and it tastes great in this bbq shredded chicken salad!

Greek yogurt- I like to substitute half of the mayonnaise you normally would use in a shredded chicken salad recipe with Greek yogurt. I personally find there is absolutely no taste difference, and it's a lower fat, higher protein option! I choose plain, 2% fat when using Greek yogurt as a sauce, for a little creaminess.

This is where you have options.

Sauce breakdown options:

• 50% Greek yogurt + 50% mayonnaise- This is my personal preference. I find it's the best way to lighten up the chicken salad recipe a little while also keeping the creamy taste we all know and love in a shredded chicken salad recipe!
• 100% Greek yogurt- If you do not wish to use any mayonnaise, feel free to use 100% Greek yogurt. I will warn you the taste may not be the exact same as your favourite chicken salad as Greek yogurt is slightly more bitter than mayonnaise. I recommend is using only Greek yogurt, choosing a 5% yogurt for the best flavour!
• 100% Mayonnaise- The final option is to use 100% mayonnaise, with no yogurt. This is a classic shredded chicken salad recipe however then you are missing on the added protein while also increasing the fat content!

Whichever option you choose it will still taste amazing, you can also get creative, as long as you have ½ a cup, get creative with the ratios and do what works best for you and your lifestyle!

Kitchen aid mixer- Obviously this is not an ingredient BUT it is my secret weapon to making perfectly shredded chicken. This is the one I have (in majestic yellow) and I LOVE it! All you have to do to shred your chicken is add in the baked chicken breasts, use the paddle attachment, turn it to the high setting and voila!

How to make this gluten free chicken salad

The best part about this chicken salad is how easy it is! Seriously- three steps and you have meals ready for the whole week (or whole family).

Step one: Cook your chicken- To make your chicken, first season your chicken breasts with some salt and pepper. Place your seasoned chicken breasts into a shallow baking dish and bake for about 15-18 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking time, depends on the thickness of the chicken so I always recommend using a cooking thermometer to know exactly when your chicken is fully cooked (the thickest part should because 165 degrees Fahrenheit). Another option is air frying your chicken breasts as well!

Step two: Shred it up!- Once your chicken breasts are fully cooked, allow them to cool for a few minutes then it's time for shredding. When I first discovered the stand mixer shredded chicken hack my life was changed. All you need to do is add your chicken breasts into the bowl of your stand mixer, use the paddle attachment and turn your mixer to the 'high' setting. *note this can also be done using a handheld mixer in a large bowl, or even by just using two forks to pull apart your chicken.

Step three: Mixing time- It's time to bring it all together. Add your shredded chicken, bbq sauce, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise and colsalaw mixture to a large bowl and mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

*if your chicken is too dry you either overcooked your chicken OR the ratios are slightly off. Simply add another tablespoon of mayonnaise or yogurt and try again!

Serving suggestions to make the ultimate chicken salad meal prep lunch

This simple and delicious chicken coleslaw salad is amazing by it's self, but it's also great served:

• rolled in a tortilla with lettuce, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes and avocado
• topped on a pulled chicken salad
• as a dip for pita, tortilla or veggies
• topped on a chopped salad with lettuce, chickpeas, avocado, cucumber and cherry tomatoes
• as part of a burrito bowl with your favourite sauteed vegetables, rice and toppings

More easy meal prep ideas

Looking for more easy lunches? Try one of these recipes:

• southwest chickpea salad
• pesto chicken salad
• big mac in a bowl recipe
• easy chicken caesar kale wrap
• Greek turkey meatballs

PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this shredded chicken salad recipe, don't forget to tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment below!