This Paleo taco chicken salad is a fun and flavorful spin on the more traditional mayo chicken salad. It’s a delicious Whole30 recipe that is easy to add to your meal prep. It’s also low-carb, loaded with veggies and spices that are sure to have you making this recipe again and again!
One thing I love most about this Paleo chicken taco salad is how quick it is to whip together. After weeks of always prepping a regular chicken salad with the traditional ingredients, like mayo, grapes and celery, I needed to change it up. That’s when I started playing with different seasonings and veggies to add. It’s also a really great way to use up leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken!
I basically took the taco seasoning I use in my chicken taco soup recipe and mixed them in with the mayo here. Most mayo brands at the store aren’t Whole30 or Paleo. You’ll either have to make your own mayo, or pick up a compliant option. Primal Kitchen (code PALEOBAILEY for 10% off) has an awesome one made with avocado oil. You can get it from stores like Whole Foods, from Amazon, or Thrive Market at a cheaper price.
There’s a lot of ways you can customize the Paleo taco chicken salad recipe to make it your own. You can add more or less seasoning, cilantro, or substitute your favorite veggies. I often use whatever peppers I have on hand already. While I love green and red peppers, sometimes a yellow pepper thrown in there gives it a different hint of sweetness that the other two don’t. Use what works for you!
I also love adding avocado to the Paleo chicken taco salad. But make sure to do that only once you’re ready to eat. Brown avocados, while totally still good, are just less appetizing, you know?! This will last in the fridge for up to a week in the fridge in an airtight container. That makes it something I like to keep on hand for easy lunches, quick protein or to make ahead before a party or event.
For an additional way to add a ton of flavor to this salad, try it with grilled chicken instead!
Enjoy!
Other Chicken Salads You’ll Love:
Blackened Chicken Chopped Salad
40 Whole30 & Paleo Chicken Salads
Taco Chicken Salad Tutorial Video
Taco Chicken Salad: Paleo, Whole30, Keto
This easy taco chicken salad is a family friendly paleo recipe that only takes 15 minutes to whip together. No cooking needed! It’s a great Whole30 salad for meal prep or Whole30 side dish for any event!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients
- 3–4 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 1/2 cup mayo, or to taste
- 1/2 green pepper, diced
- 1/2 red pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 medium tomato, diced
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/4 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
- Juice of 1/2 lime
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix mayo with the spices first to evenly combine
- Add in chicken and vegetables, mix well to evenly coat with seasoned mayo
- Squeeze lime juice over chicken salad and mix again to combine
- Top with any additional garnishes (more cilantro, diced green onion)
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 206
- Sugar: 3
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 13
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Arwen G says
LOVE this recipe. We’ve made it twice this month. Thank you so much! I also love that you broke down the calories and protein in a serving.
How much of this chicken salad is considered a serving?
Kelsi says
Perfect for meal prep to have for lunches during the week! I was hesitant at first but it’s now my favorite chicken salad. Make this!!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad to hear this!! It really is so great for meal prep 🙂 Thank you, Kelsi!!
Natalie says
For anyone else who cheats and uses canned chicken…it wound up being 3 (12.5 oz) cans, drained 🙂
Amelia says
Absolutely love this recipe. Make it every month for a week of work lunches!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad to hear that!! Thank you so much!
Laura H says
My favorite lunch salad! With lettuce on Whole30 month, and chips/crackers when not on Whole30. Super easy to make!
paleobailey says
This is SO great to hear!! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know – it’s so appreciated! <3 - B
Danielle says
This is Day 2 of being on a Paleo diet and this is the best thing I have ever tasted!!! My husband even likes it, and he thought Paleo diets were going to be disgusting. Life changer for sure!
paleobailey says
Wow!! HUGE compliment! I am so, so glad to hear this!! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know <3 - B
The Wellness Evolution says
This is awesome! I used shredded chicken. I loved that the veggies were raw and not cooked. Awesome flavor. I’d totally make this again.
paleobailey says
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed – Thank you!!
Angie says
So good!
paleobailey says
Thanks, Angie!!
Jenn S says
Amazing!!! Thank you for all your hard work coming up with deliciousness!
paleobailey says
Thank you, Jenn!! I appreciate you <3 - B
Chelsea says
This is the BEST chicken salad I’ve ever had! Made it while on whole30 but this is going to be in my regular rotation year-round!
paleobailey says
Woo!! I’m SO happy to hear this! Thank you Chelsea! <3 - B
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! What is chipolte powder?
paleobailey says
It’s just a chipotle chili spice 🙂 like this one – https://www.target.com/p/mccormick-chipotle-chili-pepper-0-9-oz/-/A-15225937
Jenny says
Sounds amazing…I’m going to make this next week. How long do you think it will stay fresh?
paleobailey says
About 4-5 days. Much like a typical mayo chicken salad does! I hope you enjoy! 🙂
Carol says
Lunch today for sure! Trader Joe’s Mayo has no sugar.
paleobailey says
Awesome!! Thanks for the tip, Carol!
Nikki German says
I made this and used Penzey’s chicken taco seasoning and Primal Kitchen Chipotle Mayo. It was delicious!! Thank you.
paleobailey says
So happy to hear this! Thank you for coming back and letting me know!! <3
danielle says
Awesome! Currently eating it out of the bowl as we speak. Great way to use up the rotisserie chicken. I made some mayo just to make this recipe!
paleobailey says
Oh good!! I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you so much for letting me know <3 - B
Jess says
This is THE BEST chicken salad. My family ate it all and asked me to make more the next day!
paleobailey says
I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you!!
Jackie says
This is the BEST
paleobailey says
So glad you love it! It’s one of my favorites!
Taylor says
I’m so sick of mayo chicken salad after making it every week for my easy lunches at work.. this totally changed the game! I love it
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you!
Jen says
Hey Bailey! I came across another blog that literally stole your entire recipe. I’m used to seeing round-ups of peoples posts for inspiration with a link to the recipe, but their entire post was just your recipe and in very tiny print at the bottom, it says “source” and then there’s an error message so it won’t link to your blog. Just a heads up! You can probably get it reported with their webhost. http://lowrecipe.net/paleo-taco-chicken-salad/
paleobailey says
UGHHHH! Thank you SO much for letting me know. I could just hug you. I’ll be sending a DMCA takedown notice to their host ASAP! I appreciate you!
Leanne says
Great salad. Everyone loves it when I make it
paleobailey says
I’m thrilled to hear it! It’s a favorite around here too! 🙂