Making chicken salad with leftover chicken certainly isn’t a new idea, but this recipe is a bit different. I usually follow (mostly) a chicken salad recipe from the Silver Palate Cookbook which calls for sour cream, walnuts, and tarragon. Incidentally, that is one of my favorite cookbooks. I’m on my third copy!
The Silver Palate recipe is very good, but yesterday I felt like something different. I didn’t have all of those ingredients, but I did have some Greek yogurt, black currants and a bit of leftover red bell pepper.
It’s common to use celery in this sort of salad, but not being a big celery fan, I never have any in the fridge. I thought that the currants would add sweetness and the bell pepper would give the salad a bit more color as well as some extra sweetness and a satisfying crunch (without any celery!).
This chicken salad is a bit lighter than most chicken salads because it uses a mixture of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, rather than just mayo. Much as I love rich and creamy foods, I somehow happen to prefer chicken salad that’s a little less “mayonnaisy.” The yogurt adds a bit of tanginess that contrasts with the creaminess of the mayonnaise. Use about three parts mayonnaise to one part yogurt.
It was easy, quick, tasty, and great for a hot day when I didn’t feel like cooking or fussing in the kitchen.
Chicken Salad with Currants and Yogurt
An easy chicken salad recipe with currants, yogurt (for a bit of tang), and dried currants.

Notes
If you don't have currants, you can use raisins.
I seasoned the chicken thigh with dried lemon peel, tarragon, salt, and pepper when I cooked it.
(I cooked two kinds of chicken at the same time, so I'd only have to heat the oven once).
Ingredients
- one cooked chicken thigh
- 1 T mayonnaise
- 1 t Plain Greek yogurt
- 1 t dried currants
- 1/4 small red bell pepper, julienned (about 1 -1 1/2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Shred the chicken into a small bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise and yogurt and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the currants on top and add the red pepper.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve on whole wheat bread.
Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt and Dried Currants Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have dried currants, use grapes or raisins instead; particularly a raisin mixture (Trader Joe’s has a great one)
- Top with spinach or lettuce for extra color and crunch
- If you don’t have yogurt, substitute sour cream
- Try cranberries instead of the currants
More Chicken Salad Recipes
Chili Citrus Avocado Chicken Salad
Ideal for hot summer days, as there’s no cooking needed. Use leftover chicken, or a rotisserie chicken. There’s plenty of flavor from citrus, chili, and crispy veggies.
Crispy apples, crunchy nuts, and tangy sour cream add zip to this chicken salad. An easy weekday or weekend lunch.
Mixed Greens Egg Potato and Chicken Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
A hearty lunch (or dinner) with very little mess or fuss. Boil an egg and a potato and toss in leftover chicken. Then use whatever veggies and greens strike your fancy.
Asian Chicken Salad with Cabbage
Colorful, crispy, and slightly spicy chicken salad topped with a ginger sesame dressing.