Name: Keto Curry Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound cooked chopped or shredded chicken (4 cups); 4 green onions (chopped); 2 stalks celery (chopped); 1/3 cup toasted pecans (chopped); 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 1/2 tablespoons powdered Swerve; 2 teaspoons curry powder; 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; Salt and pepper (to taste)

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This Keto Curry Chicken Salad is such a fun twist on classic chicken salad! You’ll love how easy it is to make, and you can even prep it in advance for a quick and healthy lunch or light dinner any time. For such a simple dish, it’s packed with flavor.

You get both sweet and spicy, with a creamy texture with just the right amount of crunch. Serve it with lettuce wraps, low-carb tortillas, or keto-friendly crackers. (Or you can just grab a fork and dig in!) When you need an easy, low-carb meal that’s anything but boring, this recipe is one you have to try.

Overhead photo of a white plate with Keto Curry Chicken Salad in lettuce cups.

Chicken salad is a great way to use up leftover chicken. You can mix it up with something creamy, add a few ingredients for taste and crunch, then dig right in. It’s always been a quick and easy staple in our household.

But when I’m in the mood for something that brings the flavor, this Keto Curry Chicken Salad is one of my favorite dishes! You’ll love that it’s both sweet and spicy for a fun twist on classic chicken salad. It makes a perfect lunch or light dinner, especially during warmer months.

This recipe is packed with flavor, plus you get a perfect kick of texture from the chopped celery and pecans. And it’s so simple to make! You can whip it up in a matter of minutes for a healthy, easy low carb meal that’s anything but boring.

If you need a delicious, keto-friendly lunch that’s great for meal prepping or to throw together on the fly, I highly recommend this Curry Chicken Keto Salad.

Ingredients for Making Keto Chicken Curry Salad

Chicken - You’ll want 1 pound of cooked chicken, either chopped or shredded.
Mayonnaise - Stick to brands with no added sugar. Or, better yet, make your own!
Celery - This adds wonderful crunch without adding lots of carbs or calories.
Pecans - You’ll want to chop up the pieces, then toast in a pan or in the oven until lightly brown and fragrant.
Green Onion and Cilantro - The combination of this vegetable and herb work so well in the curry chicken salad recipe.
Lemon Juice - You only need 1 tablespoon to add bright acidity.
Powdered Sweetener - I recommend Swerve Confectioners. You can also powder your own by throwing granulated sweetener in a blender for a few seconds.
Seasoning and Spices - Curry powder, turmeric, and cumin give this chicken salad its big, bold flavor.
Salt and Pepper - Use to taste to enhance the other ingredients.

Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

Tips, Tricks, and Variations

To cut down on prep time if you don’t have any leftover chicken, you can pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
Instead of pecans, feel free to substitute any keto-friendly nut.
If you don’t like green onion, use ⅓ cup chopped red onion in its place.
For an extra kick, use hot curry powder.

Serving Suggestions

Lettuce cups are a great option to make this a handheld meal without adding many calories or carbs.
For a heartier meal, I love wrapping up Keto Curried Chicken Salad in homemade Almond Flour Tortillas! Store-bought low-carb tortillas would work as well.
For a fun snack or appetizer, serve with easy Keto Crackers for dipping!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Curry Chicken Salad Keto?

Most store-bought versions are not keto-friendly. They often contain sugar or chutney and dried fruit, which adds a lot of sugar and carbs.

This Keto Chicken Curry Salad recipe, on the other hand, is low in net carbs and has no added sugar. It’s perfect for a keto way of eating!

What Is The Best Cut of Chicken To Use For Chicken Salad?

This is entirely a matter of personal preference. In general, dark meat is considered more keto-friendly because it has more fat, but you could certainly use chicken breasts if you like. (I did!)

Tools Needed To Make Keto Spinach Salad

Small and large bowls
Whisk

Storage

I love using this Keto Curry Chicken Salad recipe for easy meal prep. Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will keep for up to 4 days. That means you’ll have a quick and easy lunch or snack any time… as long as your family doesn’t eat it all first! (I recommend hiding it under vegetables to deter hungry grazers.)

I wouldn’t recommend freezing because of the quality deterioration. It’s much better to store in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

How To Make Keto Curry Chicken Salad

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, green onions, celery, pecans, and cilantro.

Photo of chicken, pecan, and cilantro in a bowl with a smaller bowl of mayonnaise next to it.

Photo of chicken, pecans, cilantro and celery in a bowl, with the dressing for curry chicken salad sitting in a bowl next to it.

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, powdered Swerve, curry powder, turmeric, and cumin. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Photo of a bowl with chicken, pecans, cilantro, and celery with a curry dressing dumped on top of it.

Photo of a mixing bowl with keto curry chicken salad.

Add the mayonnaise to the chicken mixture and toss to combine, making sure all the chicken is well-coated.

Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.