Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Salad

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Salad turns a familiar lunch into something brighter, creamier, and a little more special. Tender shredded chicken is folded with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, green onions, Parmesan, and toasted almonds. The dressing blends mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, lemon, Dijon, and a spoonful of flavorful tomato oil. Therefore, every bite tastes rich and satisfying without becoming heavy.

This easy chicken salad works just as beautifully for meal prep as it does for lunch with friends. Spoon it into lettuce cups, pile it onto toasted bread, or serve it with crisp crackers and greens. A short chill gives the flavors time to settle, while the almonds add a delicate crunch. Best of all, everything comes together in one bowl with simple ingredients that feel thoughtfully combined rather than fussy.

Recipe Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

4 cups loosely packed cooked shredded chicken (about 1 1/4 lb), cooled
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, patted dry, and chopped
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup chopped toasted almonds, divided
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
1 tbsp reserved sun-dried tomato oil
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the dressing:
In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, tomato oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon, honey, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.

2. Combine the salad:
Add the chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions, basil, parsley, Parmesan, and half of the almonds. Gently fold until everything is evenly coated.

3. Chill and finish:
Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Then, stir gently, taste, and adjust the salt and black pepper as needed. Finish with the remaining toasted almonds before serving.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

• Dry the tomatoes thoroughly: Patting the sun-dried tomatoes dry keeps the dressing creamy and prevents excess oil from overwhelming the chicken salad.
• Choose tender chicken: A mixture of rotisserie chicken breast and thigh meat gives the salad a moist, flavorful result. Keep the shreds slightly chunky so they hold the dressing without becoming pasty.
• Protect the crunch: When preparing the salad ahead, refrigerate the toasted almonds separately and add them shortly before serving.
• Adjust after chilling: Chicken naturally absorbs some dressing as it rests. If the salad becomes thicker than desired, fold in 1–2 tbsp Greek yogurt or mayonnaise before serving.