Keto Dill Pickle Chicken Salad: Your New Favorite Low-Carb Lunch

Looking for something quick, tasty, and keto-friendly to jazz up your lunch routine? Let me introduce you to this tangy, creamy Keto Dill Pickle Chicken Salad. Whether you’re on a low-carb diet or just love the bold flavors of dill pickles, this dish is bound to be a regular on your weekly meal prep list.

It’s rich in protein, super simple to throw together, and the crunchy, zesty pickle bits take it to another level. Oh, and did I mention it’s great for meal prep? Stick around because you’ll get not only the recipe but also plenty of ideas on how to serve and store this amazing salad.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Low-carb & keto-friendly – Perfect for anyone watching their carb intake.
  • Quick to make – Done in under 20 minutes if you have pre-cooked chicken on hand.
  • Meal-prep friendly – Stays fresh for days, making it ideal for busy weeks.
  • Packed with flavor – Dill pickles add that punchy, salty tang we all crave.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up this salad. Nothing fancy, just pantry staples and fresh ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
    (Rotisserie chicken works great here if you want to save time.)
  • ½ cup dill pickles (chopped)
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp pickle juice
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
  • 1 celery stalk (finely chopped)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Feel free to tweak the ingredient quantities depending on your taste—love pickles? Add more. Prefer a creamier salad? Increase the mayo. It’s a forgiving recipe!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken

If you’re starting with raw chicken, boil or bake it until fully cooked. Let it cool slightly, then either shred it with two forks or dice it into bite-sized pieces. Got leftover chicken? Even better—this is the perfect way to use it up!

Pro Tip: Use rotisserie chicken for an extra boost of flavor without extra effort.

2. Chop the Pickles & Celery

Grab those dill pickles and chop them up into small chunks. You want pieces big enough to add crunch but not so big they overpower each bite. Do the same with the celery stalk. The celery brings a bit of freshness and crunch to balance out the creaminess of the mayo.

3. Make the Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly chopped dill. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and creamy.

Why pickle juice? It adds that tangy pickle flavor while thinning out the mayo slightly, giving you a perfectly balanced dressing.

4. Toss Everything Together

Add the shredded chicken, chopped pickles, and celery into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything until the chicken is evenly coated in that creamy, tangy goodness. Taste it, and if needed, add salt and pepper to adjust the seasoning.

5. Chill & Serve

For the best flavor, pop the salad into the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This gives the ingredients time to meld together, making every bite extra delicious.

How to Serve Keto Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

This chicken salad is super versatile. You can serve it in a bunch of different ways, depending on your mood or what you have on hand:

  • Lettuce wraps – Scoop some salad onto large romaine leaves for a crunchy, low-carb wrap.
  • Stuffed in an avocado – Cut an avocado in half, remove the pit, and fill each half with a generous scoop of the chicken salad.
  • Over mixed greens – Turn it into a hearty salad by serving it on a bed of fresh greens like spinach or arugula.
  • In a low-carb tortilla – Wrap it up in your favorite keto tortilla for an easy on-the-go meal.
  • On cucumber slices – Spoon small amounts onto thick cucumber rounds for a quick, crunchy snack.

Storage Tips

This salad stores beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Since it doesn’t contain any ingredients that spoil quickly, you can safely enjoy it throughout the week without worrying about it going bad.

Just a quick note—if you’re planning to store it for a few days, you might notice the salad getting slightly watery. That’s normal since the pickles release a bit of liquid over time. Give it a good stir before serving, and you’re good to go.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily tweak it to suit your preferences or switch things up so you don’t get bored.

  • Add cheese: Shredded cheddar or crumbled feta would work beautifully here.
  • Switch the protein: Don’t have chicken? Try canned tuna, cooked shrimp, or even leftover turkey.
  • Add crunch: Want even more crunch? Toss in some chopped almonds or walnuts.
  • Spice it up: If you like a little heat, stir in some chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper.

Why Pickle Lovers Will Go Crazy for This Salad

There’s something about the salty, tangy flavor of dill pickles that makes every bite of this salad pop. If you’re the kind of person who snacks on pickles straight from the jar (you know who you are), this recipe is basically a dream come true. It’s bold without being overpowering, and the pickle juice in the dressing ties everything together perfectly.

Plus, pickles are surprisingly low in carbs, making them a great addition to keto recipes. They bring loads of flavor without loading up on sugar or starch.

What Makes This Recipe Keto-Friendly?

A lot of traditional chicken salads sneak in ingredients like sweet relish or even sugar to balance the tanginess, but we’re keeping things strictly low-carb here. No sneaky carbs, no sugar bombs—just wholesome, keto-approved ingredients.

  • Chicken is a high-protein, zero-carb staple.
  • Mayo adds healthy fats without any carbs.
  • Dill pickles are naturally low in carbs.
  • Pickle juice adds flavor without any calories or carbs.

By sticking to these ingredients, you end up with a dish that’s not only flavorful but also perfectly aligned with keto macros. High in protein, rich in fats, and super low in carbs—it’s exactly what you want when following a low-carb lifestyle.

A Meal Prep Hero

Let’s be real: meal prepping can get boring fast, especially when you’re on a low-carb or keto diet. That’s why this chicken salad is such a winner. You can make a big batch on Sunday, store it in individual containers, and have a ready-to-eat lunch or snack for the next few days.

Pair it with some sliced veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes for a balanced, satisfying meal. Or just eat it straight out of the container—we won’t judge!

Conclusion

This Keto Dill Pickle Chicken Salad hits all the right notes: creamy, crunchy, tangy, and satisfying. Whether you’re trying to keep your carbs low or just love experimenting with new recipes, this one’s worth a try. It’s quick to whip up, packed with flavor, and perfect for meal prep. Plus, it’s so versatile that you’ll never get bored eating it.

So, grab that jar of pickles hiding in the back of your fridge and get ready to make your new favorite chicken salad. Whether it’s for lunch, dinner, or a snack, this keto-friendly recipe will keep you full and happy without breaking your carb count.

Happy eating!

Print

Keto Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

A creamy, tangy Keto Dill Pickle Chicken Salad loaded with juicy chicken, crunchy pickles, and a flavorful dressing. Perfect for a low-carb lunch, easy dinner, or meal prep for the week. Quick to make, high in protein, and keto diet-friendly!

  • Author: Jane Summerfield
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American, Keto, Low-Carb

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
  • ½ cup dill pickles (chopped)
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp pickle juice
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
  • 1 celery stalk (finely chopped)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt & pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Prep the chicken: Shred or cube the cooked chicken. If using raw chicken, boil or bake until fully cooked, then let it cool.
  • Chop the veggies: Dice the dill pickles and celery into small pieces.
  • Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh dill until well combined.
  • Combine everything: Add the chicken, pickles, and celery to the bowl. Toss until the chicken is fully coated in the dressing.
  • Season and chill: Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill the salad in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
  • Serve and enjoy: Serve in lettuce wraps, over greens, or on its own.

Notes

  • Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker prep time.
  • Add shredded cheese or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
  • Stays fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Stir well before serving if it’s been refrigerated for a while.

Please note: The recipe or ingredients shown in the video might vary slightly from what’s listed here. Use the video as an illustration, but for the best results, you might want to stick to the recipe provided in this article.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 250 Sugar: 1g Sodium: 680mg Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: 3g Unsaturated Fat: 14g Trans Fat: 0g Carbohydrates: 3g Fiber: 0.5g Protein: 20g Cholesterol: 60mg

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