Healthy Chicken Salad with Dill: A Gluten-Free Lunch Favorite

My love for pistachios is no secret, and this recipe for healthy chicken salad might be my favorite way to enjoy them – it’s become a go-to in our home for easy weekday lunches when I’m short on time. With a satisfying crunch from pistachios and the brightness of fresh herbs, this healthy chicken salad with dill feels just like the homemade classic, but is packed with nourishing ingredients. Whether you serve it over a bed of butter lettuce or pile it between two slices of local Hill Country sourdough, it’s as versatile as it is delicious.

Inspired by the Garden: Chicken Salad with Fresh Herbs

In early spring, I love tending to a small kitchen windowsill herb garden. The ritual of using fresh herbs with simple lunch brings a little nature-inspired joy to our work-from-home days. One herb that’s made a permanent home in our kitchen is dill—Taylor’s favorite.

He loves it in everything from tzatziki sauce to Persian dill rice, so it’s only natural that it found its way into our lunch staples. The dill in this chicken salad recipe adds brightness and depth, complementing the crunch of the pistachios and the creaminess of the classic dressing .

Why We Love This Healthy Chicken Salad with Dill

This recipe for chicken salad with dill and pistachios checks all the boxes: it’s easy to prepare, customizable, and full of flavor without relying on heavy dressings or unnecessary fillers.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Shredded chicken – Great for using leftovers or rotisserie chicken
• Primal Kitchen Mayo – Classic yet clean, no-preservative flavor that lets the herbs shine
• Raw pistachios – For that satisfying crunch
• Fresh dill and parsley – Homegrown, flavorful, and full of antioxidants
• Butter lettuce – Smooth, crisp, and perfect as a base – it’s rich in fiber, folate, and Vitamin A and is the perfect way to get your greens
• Optional: a scoop of quinoa or your favorite sandwich bread

A tip from the Elmsgrove Lane kitchen: This is one of our favorite gluten-free lunch ideas when served over greens, but it’s also wonderful in a sandwich for heartier appetites.

A Versatile Lunch You’ll Actually Look Forward To

Sometimes lunch can feel a bit… uninspired. Especially when both of us are working from home and the kitchen is in near-constant rotation, I like to get creative with simple, seasonal lunch recipes that feel new but familiar.

This salad fits perfectly into that rhythm: nourishing, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable.

• Add chopped grapes or apples for a hint of sweetness.
• Swap pistachios for almonds or walnuts (or go nut-free if preferred).
• Make it ahead for meal-prep and enjoy all week long.

Recipe Snapshot: Healthy Chicken Salad with Dill

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken
Serves: About 4 as a main on a bed of lettuce, over quinoa, or on a sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breast, cooked and shredded (use rotisserie chicken if desired)
• 1/2 large red onion, diced 
• 1/2 cup Primal Kitchen Mayo 
• 1/2 cup 2% Greek Yogurt 
• 1/4 cup raw pistachios 
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 
• 2 tbsp. fresh dill, chopped 
• 2 tbsp. Tarragon 
• Juice of 1 lemon 
• butter lettuce leaves (for serving) 

How to Serve It:

• Over a bed of butter lettuce
• On homemade or locally-bought sourdough
• With a side of quinoa or seasonal fruit
• Inside lettuce wraps for a lighter option

Final Thoughts on Our Favorite Healthy Lunch

Whether you’re in need of a little lunch inspiration or looking for your next gluten-free lunch idea, this healthy chicken salad with dill and pistachios is a recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat. It’s simple, nourishing, and full of garden-inspired flavor.

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