High Protein Pepperoncini Chicken Salad (Printable)
Zesty, high-protein chicken with pepperoncini, crisp veggies and a tangy yogurt-Dijon dressing. Ready in 35 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 pound cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup celery, diced
03 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 cup pepperoncini, sliced and drained
→ Dressing
06 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, nonfat or 2%
07 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, optional
08 - 2 tablespoons pepperoncini brine
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Add-Ins & Garnishes
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Mixed greens or whole grain wraps, optional for serving
# How to Cook:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded or chopped cooked chicken breast, diced celery, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and sliced pepperoncini.
02 - In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise if using, pepperoncini brine, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Mix thoroughly to coat all components evenly.
04 - Fold in chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired.
05 - Serve chilled over mixed greens, in whole grain wraps, or as a sandwich filling according to preference.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get bold flavor and plenty of protein in every bite, even though the prep is blissfully simple.
- It’s the kind of meal that tastes just as fresh the next day, making leftovers genuinely exciting.
02 -
- If you skip draining the pepperoncini, the salad will get watery fast—trust me, I learned the messy way.
- Letting the salad rest in the fridge for at least 20 minutes before serving makes the flavors pop so much more.
03 -
- Use freshly cooked, slightly cooled chicken for the best bite and easiest shredding.
- Just a tablespoon of pepperoncini brine elevates the whole dish—don’t skip it.