Sometimes, I get stuck on a craving that just won’t quit — and for two weeks straight, that craving was chicken salad. I bought a Waldorf one from Hannaford and a curried version from Trader Joe’s, which I loved, but Trader Joe’s isn’t exactly close to me. So naturally, I decided to recreate it at home… my way.
This version is everything I love about the Trader Joe’s Curried Chicken Salad — sweet, savory, and full of cozy fall flavors — but with a healthier twist. I swapped half the mayo for Greek yogurt to add more protein and fewer oils, and threw in purple carrots for that beautiful autumn color.
Honestly, I love a good chicken salad sandwich, but most days, I’ll just dip crackers right into this creamy, flavorful curried chicken salad with greek yogurt. It’s my favorite easy lunch — perfect for meal prep, fall picnics, or just a fridge-ready snack.
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a Trader Joe’s Curried Chicken Salad copycat made healthier
- Packed with fall flair — purple carrots, walnuts, and craisins for crunch and color
- Full of protein and flavor
- Keeps beautifully in the fridge for busy week lunches
- Delicious on sandwiches, with crackers, or over greens
🥣 Ingredients
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken (rotisserie, leftover, or canned all work great)
- 1/3 cup small diced celery
- 1/2 small red onion, diced
- 1/3 cup shredded carrot (I used purple for that cozy fall vibe)
- 1/4 cup chopped raw walnuts
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup light mayo
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
🥄 Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving (though it’s delicious right away too!).
🧊 Storage Instructions
Store your Curried Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving — it might thicken slightly as it chills.
If you want to meal prep, you can portion it into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches with crackers, lettuce wraps, or pita bread.
🍁 Serving Ideas
- Scoop it onto toasted sourdough or a croissant for a classic sandwich
- Serve it on a bed of mixed greens for a lighter option
- Spoon into lettuce cups for an easy low-carb lunch
- My personal favorite — just grab a handful of your favorite crackers and dig in!
- Use small of sliced cucumbers for dipping
🌿 Why Homemade Wins
This chicken salad beats the store-bought versions hands down — you control the ingredients, skip the additives, and get more flavor for less money. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or even add a little chopped apple for more fall sweetness.
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Curried Chicken Salad
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This Trader Joe’s copycat Curried Chicken Salad has a cozy fall twist — with purple carrots, walnuts, and craisins for color and crunch. It’s creamy, flavorful, and protein-packed thanks to Greek yogurt and a touch of mayo. Perfect for sandwiches, meal prep lunches, or cracker dipping!
Ingredients
-
2 cups diced cooked chicken (rotisserie, leftover, or canned)
-
1/3 cup small diced celery
-
1/2 small red onion, diced
-
1/3 cup shredded carrot (purple or orange)
-
1/4 cup chopped raw walnuts
-
1/4 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
-
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
-
1/2 cup light mayo
-
2 tablespoons curry powder
-
2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 lemon juiced
-
Salt and pepper to taste
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, celery, onion, carrot, walnuts, and craisins.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, curry powder, honey, salt, and pepper.
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Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until fully combined.
-
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
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For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
Notes
Storage Instructions
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Stir before serving — the salad may thicken slightly after chilling.
Do not freeze, as the dairy-based dressing can separate when thawed.
Serving Ideas
Serve on toasted sourdough, croissants, or lettuce wraps.
Scoop onto greens for a light, healthy lunch.
Pair with your favorite crackers for the ultimate snackable meal.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 180
- Category: lunch
- Method: cold
- Cuisine: American
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