Feta Chicken Salad Recipe

Name: Feta Chicken Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 3 cups diced cooked chicken; 2 large stalks celery, diced; 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced; 0.5 medium red onion, diced; 6 tablespoons mayonnaise; 6 tablespoons sour cream; 1 (4 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled; 2 teaspoons dried dill weed; salt and ground black pepper to taste

Chicken Salad with Feta

Servings: 4

Calories per serving: 599

Ingredients

3 cups diced cooked chicken
2 large stalks celery, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
medium red onion, diced
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
6 tablespoons sour cream
1 (4 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
2 teaspoons dried dill weed
Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion.
In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled feta cheese, and dried dill weed until smooth and well-combined.
Pour the creamy mixture over the chicken and vegetable mix, stirring everything together until evenly coated.
Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as necessary.
Serve the salad immediately, or refrigerate it until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value
Calories	599
Total Fat	45g	57%
Saturated Fat	19g	94%
Cholesterol	163mg	54%
Sodium	1061mg	46%
Total Carbohydrate	7g	3%
Dietary Fiber	1g	3%
Total Sugars	5g
Protein	41g	82%
Vitamin C	3mg	4%
Calcium	436mg	34%
Iron	2mg	11%
Potassium	388mg	8%

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your calorie needs.

This Feta Chicken Salad is a refreshing and savory dish that combines chicken, crunchy vegetables, creamy feta cheese, and a delightful blend of herbs. Its perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for any meal. Lets dive into the history, regional variations, and interesting facts about this delicious salad.

Origin and History

Chicken salad is a staple in American cuisine, known for its versatility and adaptability. The concept of mixing chicken with various ingredients like mayonnaise or sour cream dates back to the early 19th century in the United States. This particular version, featuring feta cheese, is a more modern take that incorporates Mediterranean influences. Feta cheese, originally from Greece, adds a tangy, creamy element that contrasts beautifully with the savory chicken and vegetables.

Regional Variations

While this feta chicken salad is a popular dish in many places, it can vary depending on local tastes and ingredient availability. In the Mediterranean, for example, its common to pair feta cheese with olives, cucumbers, and fresh herbs like oregano or mint. In contrast, American variations often include more colorful ingredients like red bell peppers, celery, and red onions. Some regional takes might substitute the traditional mayo-sour cream base with yogurt for a lighter, tangier version.

What Sets It Apart

Unlike traditional chicken salads, which often rely on mayonnaise and sometimes curry or grapes for flavor, this feta chicken salad stands out for its use of feta cheese. The feta adds a briny and tangy note, making it a more complex and savory dish. Additionally, the inclusion of red bell peppers and dill gives the salad a fresh, herby flavor that contrasts with the richness of the chicken. The texture is lighter and crunchier compared to other chicken salads, making it a refreshing choice for warm weather.

Where Its Usually Served

Feta chicken salad is often served in a variety of settings. Its a great option for casual gatherings, picnics, or potlucks, where it can be served on its own or as a filling for sandwiches and wraps. In restaurants, its commonly offered as a main dish in lunch menus, paired with a side of crisp greens or crackers. Its also a popular choice for meal prep due to its ease of making and storing. The salad is just as good served cold, making it ideal for busy days when you need a quick and satisfying meal.

Interesting Facts

The name feta comes from the Greek word for slice, as the cheese was originally cut into slices before being brined.
Feta cheese has been produced for thousands of years in Greece and is made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk.
This chicken salad is a great source of protein and calcium, especially due to the generous portion of feta cheese.
Feta cheese has a distinctive crumbly texture, which makes it perfect for adding texture and flavor to salads and dishes like this one.
While feta is famous in Greece, it is now produced in many other countries, and there are various types of feta, including those with added herbs like oregano or garlic.

Whether youre looking for a quick lunch or a salad to impress guests, this feta chicken salad brings a unique and delicious twist to a classic favorite. Its easy to prepare, full of flavor, and adaptable to suit your personal taste preferences!

FAQ about Feta Chicken Salad Recipe

Feta chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to keep it chilled until you're ready to serve.

Yes, leftover chicken works great in this recipe. You can use rotisserie chicken or any pre-cooked chicken you have on hand. Just make sure to chop it into small, bite-sized pieces.

Yes, you can make this salad a day ahead of time. In fact, the flavors may develop even more as it sits in the refrigerator. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

It's not recommended to freeze this salad because the mayonnaise, sour cream, and feta cheese may separate or become watery upon thawing. It's best enjoyed fresh or stored in the fridge for a few days.

You can substitute the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a healthier option or with more mayonnaise if you prefer a creamier texture.

Yes, if you're not a fan of feta, you can substitute it with goat cheese, ricotta, or even a sharp cheddar for a different flavor profile.

This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free mayonnaise and ensure that the chicken and other ingredients are free from gluten contamination.

To make this recipe lower in calories, you can substitute the mayonnaise and sour cream with low-fat or non-fat versions, or use a small amount of avocado as a creamy base.

Absolutely! You can add additional vegetables such as cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or even olives for extra flavor and texture.

This salad is versatile! You can serve it on its own, in a sandwich, in a wrap, or with crackers. It also pairs well with a side of fresh greens.

Comments

Laura

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

This recipe is delicious. I used non fat yogurt instead of sour cream, and replaced the onion with a couple cloves of garlic. I used canned chicken.

Memphis Dad

02/18/2013 01:18:31 PM

I rarely eat chicken salad but had a craving recently so made this. So good! I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Seasoned with salt and pepper and a little smoked paprika then browned in a little olive oil. Added about a cup of chicken broth and simmered for maybe 1/2 hour before chopping up to add to other ingredients. Can't wait to make this again. May double it next time. FYI, about 1 1/4 lbs. boneless breasts gave me about three cups chopped chicken.

Deb W190

06/04/2024 03:02:46 PM

I followed the direction of a few reviews and added extra dill (full Tbsp) and put this in a food processor. I've never had chicken salad before, and didn't know when to "stop" processing so it turned out more like a dip. It was amazing! I'm going to make it once a week and make it the same way, even if it's more like "chicken hummus" texture!

tosamom

06/16/2020 11:54:29 PM

This is delicious! I followed the suggestion of another reviewer and substituted plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream. I didn’t have a red onion, so I used green onion instead. The Feta cheese was salty on its own, so I reduced the amount of salt I added. And, I had some slivered almonds, so I added them as well. Just a bit more crunch to add to the celery. This is beautiful to look at and tastes light and healthy. I will make it again!

Gibby

07/06/2023 12:02:55 AM

Absolutely delicious. Even though I forgot the dill it turned out great. I did use some Adobo All Purpose Seasoning and substituted fat free plain Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise and low fat sour cream. Probably added closer to 6 ounces of Feta. Best chicken salad ever! One thing, the recipe calls for one red bell pepper, but doesn't specify where to add it, with the chicken, celery and red onion mix or the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill and feta mixture. No big thing, as obviously it makes no difference. It would be delicious mixed with either as everything goes together in the end. Will be making this often so thank you so very much for the recipe.

BKelly

11/19/2019 12:24:17 AM

I loved this is a base, but I made a few, minor changes. First, I always, always season and boil my own chicken. It takes more time, but I like using the broth as my “salt and pepper” to give the salad more flavoring. I’m not big on raw onions so I sautéed mine. Lastly, I added in some sundried tomatoes and roasted my bell peppers.

David Irvine

11/02/2020 08:07:01 PM

I substituted non-fat yogurt for the sour cream & added pecans, golden raisins and Sweet Bourbon Mustard. Also drizzled a little honey over the mixture. It came out pretty good for a first try this recipe.

The Warden

04/18/2020 12:10:31 AM

Substituted medium size Honeycrisp chopped for red bell pepper, and from others yogurt for sour cream. FANTASTIC!! For me; no need to look for any other chicken salad recipe.

Suzie Stallings

06/26/2023 05:04:56 PM

Very good, quick and simple recipe. I made as directed (with a little less red onion) and had to sub Miracle Whip for the mayo. I added a pinch of curry and a few cherry tomatoes, chopped.

fabeveryday

07/24/2024 10:33:39 PM

We loved this! The zing from the feta is subtle but delicious. The only change I made was to include a diced garlic clove as well, and it worked out great. We used it for sandwiches, but it would also be great with crackers or topped onto an avocado.

princessfaith82

09/28/2017 08:05:56 PM

This is a good starter recipe. We like ours creamer, so I added a bit more sauce, some sweet relish, added additional dill, black pepper, and mild curry powder. Better than a restaurant! Definitely taste as you go. Oh, and I substituted plain non fat Greek yogurt for sour cream and used a combo of reduced fat mayo and a bit of miracle whip for zing!

Anita Cocina

07/20/2025 10:49:52 PM

I added about a half a cup of Boardhead tzatziki Greek yogurt dip.

Lainie

04/29/2025 01:53:30 AM

Keeper!

fruitdog

04/21/2025 12:25:14 AM

This salad was really good! I was concerned about the feta but in the end, it was just a creamy and delicious salad. I served it in the Chicken Salad Easter Roll recipe from AR and they were a big hit for Easter!

Samuel Gonzalez

03/31/2025 03:26:29 PM

Bro, this tastes better than any takeout.

GlitzySage3136

12/20/2024 01:19:15 AM

I have made this a dozen times for friends and they love it. A twist is to use smoked turkey from Greenburg Turkeys in Tyler Texas...

Jennifer Jerles Poston

07/20/2023 03:40:11 PM

I just whipped this up in my food processor - fabulous. I made it as written (6 tbsp is just a shy over 1/3c). The feta is faint but there and I would not skip it. I went for a full tablespoon of dill (because I LOVE dill) and not sorry I did.

Harry Martin

06/13/2023 05:29:51 AM

I liked this. Heavy dill taste, which I like. Feta taste got lost IMO. I would leave it out next time (and save some money).

DREGINEK

05/25/2023 12:13:25 AM

To us, only okay good: 3.5 stars. Followed exactly but used shredded, rotisserie chicken. It was super easy but just not a ton of flavor - even with the feta and dill. No regrets that we tried! But will keep trying to find my next, new favorite. Thanks CHELC44!

M Bosch

05/15/2023 05:00:35 PM

I thought this salad was great. I used non fat greek yogurt for the sour cream and lite mayo and it was delicious. I also threw in a little tomato since I had one I wanted to use up.

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Feta Chicken Salad Recipe