It took living in the South for twenty years before I landed on the right combination for this one. Keto Southern chicken salad leans on sour cream instead of a heavy mayo base, with toasted pecans doing the work grapes usually do in a Southern version.
This is a full-fat recipe, not a lightened-up one, and that is on purpose. When I ran my own store, we made this by the gallon, always with grapes, which obviously are not keto, so this version skips them entirely.
Serve it a dozen ways, lettuce wraps, an avocado boat, or just with a fork.
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Chef Jenn’s Take on Southern Chicken Salad
Leaving any skin, fat, or bone in the chicken is the easiest way to ruin a bite of this salad. Pull all three out thoroughly before chopping, it is genuinely unpleasant to bite into otherwise.
Rotisserie chicken is the quick option here, though baking your own seasoned chicken breast gives a slightly better texture if you have the extra time. Canned chicken works too, just drain it very well, pushing the lid down on the can to squeeze out as much liquid as possible before it goes into the bowl.
Toast the pecans in a skillet or in the oven, and do not walk away while you do it. Nuts go from perfectly toasted to burnt in what feels like seconds the moment you look away.
Sour cream instead of straight mayo is really what sets this apart; it gives a tangier, lighter result than an all-mayo dressing. Sugar-free Greek yogurt works as a substitute for both the sour cream and mayo if you want something even lighter. A pinch of dried tarragon is a nice personal touch if you want to try it.
What You’ll Love About Southern Chicken Salad
- Serves a dozen ways, from lettuce wraps to an avocado boat to a simple fork.
- A tangier, lighter dressing than the usual heavy-mayo chicken salad.
- Toasted pecans give this real crunch and Southern flavor without grapes.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken – Rotisserie is the quick option, or bake your own seasoned chicken breast for slightly better texture. Well-drained canned chicken works too.
- Sour cream – Full fat, this is the base of the dressing.
- Mayonnaise – Your favorite keto-friendly brand, used in a smaller amount than the sour cream.
- Toasted pecans – Toast in a skillet or the oven, watching closely so they don’t burn.
- Celery – Finely diced, for crunch alongside the pecans.
- Green onions – Sliced.
- Lemon juice – Fresh, brightens the whole dish.
- Parsley – Fresh. Dill also works nicely.
How to Make Southern Chicken Salad
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Remove the skin, fat, and bones from the chicken thoroughly, then chop the meat into small chunks.
Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl large enough to hold the chicken too. Add the toasted pecans, celery, green onions, and parsley to the dressing, and stir to combine.
Toss the dressing with the chopped chicken until evenly coated. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, and serve.
Make It A Meal
Serve this with Crispy Keto Crackers, or alongside a Greek Salad for a bigger spread. If you’re planning a lunch rotation, Shrimp Salad with Dill & Cucumber is another light option worth keeping on hand.
Storage
This does not freeze well once assembled, sour cream and mayonnaise both separate badly in the freezer. You can freeze plain cooked chicken on its own though, so it is ready whenever you want to make this. Refrigerated leftovers keep for a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it sure can be! Some dressings and ingredients typically found in chicken salad can have hidden carbs, but this recipe is nothing but 100% pure keto-friendly. And, with just 1 net carb per serving, this keto chicken salad recipe is one you can enjoy guilt-free!
This recipe runs about 1 net carb per 1/2 cup serving. The number in the recipe card below will recalculate once this post is republished, so use it as an estimate until then.
Yes, in moderation. Nuts can run higher in carbs than other keto ingredients, but pecans specifically are a good keto choice, and this recipe uses a modest amount.
Yes, sugar-free plain Greek yogurt works as a substitute for both the sour cream and mayonnaise if you’d rather skip one or both.
Add Preferred SourceSouthern Keto Chicken Salad (Keto, Low-Carb)
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken meat
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans
- 1/4 cup celery
- 2 tablespoons green onions
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Chop the chicken in to small chunks.
- Combine the sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, salt and pepper, pecans, green onions, parsley, and celery in a bowl large enough to hold all the chicken, too.
- Toss the dressing with the chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Remove all the skin, fat, and bones from the chicken thoroughly. It’s genuinely unpleasant to bite into otherwise.
- Watch the pecans closely while toasting. They burn fast the moment you look away.
- Drain canned chicken very well if using it, pushing the lid down on the can to remove excess liquid.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Want more delicious keto recipes?
- Canned Corned Beef & Cabbage
- Keto Minestrone Soup
- Baked Sauerkruat and Sausage
- Keto Cajun Salmon
- and don’t forget to check out the Net Carb Calculator!
Every time I shop at Costco, I return home with a rotisserie chicken. This recipe is very simple and delicious, definitely a nice way to enjoy store-bought rotisserie chicken. 🙂
This is delicious! It was so easy and had so much flavor. Will definitely be making again!
Such a great recipe!! I love that you used sour cream instead of lots and lots of mayo – I’m not big on mayo, but sour cream I can eat all day every day.
Right? It changes up the flavor just enough to make it different!
Sour cream and pecans sound really good in chicken salad. It looks really good too. Cannot wait to make this.
It is a delish combination! I like it with a bit of dried tarragon, too!
What a lovely light lunch option. I love how you have served it too.
This looks so good with the vegi suggestions to compliment it, can’t wait to make it. The sour cream sounds wonderful and I’ll use my homemade mayonnaise to couple it. The tarragon sounds good to for taste change….I so much appreciate the dietary macros break down on your recipes make me feel like its possible to eat it! Thanks Jenn!
I love this recipe! I love the addition of lemon juice for some extra flavor.
This chicken salad recipe is so delicious and easy to make. I loved the Chef Jenn Tips and Variations sections! But I am a mayo girl all the way!!
Love this chicken salad recipe. So easy to make, delicious, and can’t believe it’s keto-friendly!
Wonderful! Loved the classic flavors. I like to make a big batch and use it for everything from salads to sandwiches and wraps!