Gut Healthy Chicken Salad


Last Updated: Jun, 3, 2026 by Mimi Council | This post may contain affiliate links.

This Gut Healthy Chicken Salad is loaded with lean protein, nutrient rich veggies, seeds, and healthy fat. Make this easy healthy salad part of your weekly menu!

If you’re looking for more salads, try some of my other faves like Strawberry Balsamic Broccoli Salad, Chicken Sausage Greek Salad, or Avocado Tuna Salad With No Mayo.

gut healthy chicken salad in a large bowl on a white countertop.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

  • Recipe Name: Gut Healthy Chicken Salad
  • Ready In: 15 minutes
  • Makes: 1 serving
  • Main Ingredients: chicken, mixed greens, red bell pepper, pumpkin seeds
  • Flavor Profile: bright, tangy and fresh
  • Dietary Info: gluten free, no seed oils, dairy free, eggless
  • Difficulty: Easy!
  • Why You’ll Love It: quick and easy protein-packed chicken salad recipe with a little crunch!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: I love this salad because it's quick and easy to make. If you meal prep chicken, like I do, all you need to add is crunchy vegetables and a few simple ingredients for the dressing.
  • Packed with Flavor: You get a little salty flavor from the everything bagel seasoning, a pickle flavor from the sauerkraut, crisp veggies and a hearty flavor from the seeds. This is not a boring chicken salad, it's so tasty!
  • No Seed Oils: Most store bought salad dressings have seed oils, but this is seed oil free because I'm using extra virgin olive oil making this a healthier chicken salad than if you were to use a store bought dressing.
  • Quick Lunch: This clean eating, low carb healthy chicken salad recipe has loads of flavor. It's a quick and easy lunch recipe that I make on repeat.
Jump to:

Ingredients

individual ingredients for gut healthy chicken salad laid out against a white background.
  • Mixed Greens: I use organic mixed greens in this salad, a mixture of spinach and butter lettuce. But, Romaine lettuce is also really good with this. Whatever kind of lettuce you prefer works, as you'll add all the ingredients onto a bed of lettuce.
  • Red Pepper: I love red bell peppers because of their sweet flavor, but you can use any color.
  • Red Onion: I love red onion as it brings a little sweet taste of onion, but white onion is fine if you prefer.
  • Chicken: I use organic chicken breasts with just salt and black pepper. I usually meal prep chicken, but if you're making our recipe for How to Cook a Whole Chicken for Dog Food, you can even pull off pieces for you for this salad! Just add some salt and pepper to your portion!

*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.

Easy Substitutions

  • Use any kind of lettuce you like, kale, Romaine, or even cabbage, whatever you got works!
  • Switch it up with veggies you have in your fridge. Other veggies I like in this salad include cucumbers, carrots, and avocado.
  • Replace the chicken with salmon, tuna, or steak if you want. Try using leftover Garlic Herb Beef Tenderloin Steak.
  • You could even use tofu, beans, chickpeas, hard boiled eggs, or sweet potatoes if you are wanting to go meatless.
  • Use your favorite salad dressing in place of making it or try my Vegan Honey Mustard Salad Dressing or Homemade Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing.
  • Add additional seeds like chia seeds or sunflower seeds.
  • You can add in cooked vegetables too if you have leftovers such as peas, zucchini, leeks, asparagus, bell peppers, or onions.
  • Feel free add nuts for even more protein and healthy fat such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, or pecans.
  • You can add in fresh herbs like fresh parsley, fresh dill, basil or thyme go great with this salad.
  • If you want to add some carbs into this salad to make it more complete, rice, brown rice or quinoa is a great option. I love this for an energy boost if I want a little more out of this salad!

How to Make a Gut Healthy Chicken Salad

gut healthy chicken salad in a large bowl on a white countertop.
  1. Chop the mixed greens and add to a bowl. Add the diced red pepper and red onion. Chop the chicken into small cubes and add to the salad. Add the sauerkraut, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and garlic.
gut healthy chicken salad in a large bowl on a white countertop.
  1. Sprinkle with everything bagel spice mix and drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic.
gut healthy chicken salad mixed together in a large bowl on a white countertop.
  1. Mix together.

Gut Healthy Chicken Salad FAQ’s

What makes this chicken salad gut healthy?

This salad is gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and free of seed oils. It also is high in protein and loaded with veggies.

Is this chicken salad high in protein?

Yes, this chicken salad has 35 grams of protein per salad.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes, absolutely. This is a great use for leftover chicken. You can use thighs, breasts or even drumsticks depending on your preference.

Can I use another kind of protein?

Yes, feel free to use salmon, tuna, or steak as well. You can also use turkey lunch meat too for ease! I’ve tried this with all of these are they are delicious.

Can I use store bought dressing?

Yes, but I always try to avoid this as most contain seed oils. So, if you want to avoid seed oils, just be sure to read the labels or choose a store bought dressing made with extra virgin olive oil instead.

Can I turn this into lettuce wraps?

Yes, you totally can make this salad into lettuce wraps, it would also be delicious in a cups of lettuce. You could also make this into a wrap and use your favorite flour or spinach tortilla too.

What can I serve with gut healthy chicken salad?

I love serving this with a side of sweet potato fries, try out Garlic Lemon Sweet Potato Fries. It's also delicious with a smoothie like Garlic Lemon Sweet Potato Fries, Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie With Collagen or Tropical Bone Broth Protein Smoothie. You can also serve this with a piece of toast, which is honestly how I usually have this! Or, add a side of fruit like red grapes, apples, or blueberries. Or, enjoy with a side of crackers!

Can I meal prep this chicken salad for lunches?

Yes, you can prep the whole salad in one tupperware except the dressing. Add the dressing into another small tupperware so you can dress the salad when you're ready to eat it.

Can I make this ahead of time?

This is a great salad for meal prep in an airtight container, yes! Just don’t put the dressing on until you’re ready to eat it.

Serving Suggestions

gut healthy chicken salad in a large bowl on a white countertop.

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gut healthy chicken salad in a large bowl on a white countertop.

Gut Healthy Chicken Salad

Mimi Council
Try this Gut Healthy Chicken Salad that's packed with protein and veggies. This easy healthy salad recipe is one you can enjoy daily!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Makes 1 salad
Calories 455 kcal

Equipment

  • Cutting Board
  • Chef's Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups mixed greens
  • ¼ cup diced red pepper
  • 2 slices red onion (diced)
  • 4 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked)
  • ¼ cup sauerkraut
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon everything bagel spice mix
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Chop the mixed greens and add to a bowl.
  • Add the diced red pepper and red onion.
  • Chop the chicken into small cubes and add to the salad.
  • Add the sauerkraut, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and garlic.
  • Sprinkle with everything bagel spice mix and drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic. Mix together.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Tips
  • Use any kind of lettuce you like, kale, Romaine, or even cabbage, whatever you got works!
  • Switch it up with veggies you have in your fridge. Other veggies I like in this salad include cucumbers, carrots, and avocado.
  • Replace the chicken with salmon, tuna, or steak if you want. Try using leftover Garlic Herb Beef Tenderloin Steak.
  • You could even use tofu, beans, chickpeas, hard boiled eggs, or sweet potatoes if you are wanting to go meatless.
  • Use your favorite salad dressing in place of making it or try my Vegan Honey Mustard Salad Dressing or Homemade Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing.
  • Add additional seeds like chia seeds or sunflower seeds.
  • You can add in cooked vegetables too if you have leftovers such as peas, zucchini, leeks, asparagus, bell peppers, or onions.
  • Feel free add nuts for even more protein and healthy fat such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, or pecans.
  • You can add in fresh herbs like fresh parsley, fresh dill, basil or thyme go great with this salad.
  • If you want to add some carbs into this salad to make it more complete, rice, brown rice or quinoa is a great option. I love this for an energy boost if I want a little more out of this salad!
  • High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted.

Nutrition

Calories: 455kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 35gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 395mgPotassium: 848mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2196IUVitamin C: 76mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 5mg
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2 responses to “Gut Healthy Chicken Salad”

  1. Mimi Council says:

    5 stars
    I make this every week and it’s always so good!

  2. Delaney says:

    5 stars
    Sauerkraut makes everything better!

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