Dinner

Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad Recipe

ByEthan Lark March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

Introduction

This Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad is a fresh and flavorful twist on a classic chicken salad. Packed with bright lime juice and fragrant cilantro, it’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or as a light meal on its own.

A white bowl filled with a creamy salad that has chopped white and green pieces mixed with small bits of red, likely crab or imitation crab salad with herbs and vegetables, two large blue corn chips are inserted on one side into the salad, the bowl sits on a wooden board with some green leaves scattered around, the background is a white marbled texture with a green blurred plant and a white cloth with green stripes partially visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups chicken breast (shredded or chopped)
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup celery (finely chopped)
1/2 cup yellow onion (finely chopped)
1 red bell pepper (finely chopped)
1/2 cup cilantro (chopped)
Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Mix well to create a creamy dressing.
Step 2: In a large bowl, add the shredded or chopped chicken, celery, yellow onion, red bell pepper, and chopped cilantro. Pour the mayo mixture over the ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Step 3: Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 4: Serve the salad chilled. Enjoy it on its own, in sandwiches, or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a refreshing meal.

Tips & Variations

For extra tang, add a teaspoon of lime zest to the dressing before mixing.
Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to lighten the salad and add a bit of tanginess.
Add avocado chunks for a creamy texture and additional flavor.
Use freshly cooked chicken breast or leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.

Storage

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving. If the salad thickens after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or add a splash of lime juice to loosen it before serving.

How to Serve

A white bowl is filled with a chunky, creamy salad that has a mix of white, green, and red pieces, showing chopped chicken, celery, cilantro, and small bits of red pepper, topped with two blue corn tortilla chips placed upright on one side. The bowl sits on a wooden board with some green herbs scattered around. In the background, there is a blurred green lime, a white marbled surface, and a piece of cloth with green stripes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and is a convenient option to save time while maintaining great flavor.

How long does the salad stay good in the fridge?

It stays fresh for up to 3 days when stored properly in an airtight container inside the refrigerator.