This Paleo and Whole30 approved version of a classic is perfect for lunch in lettuce wraps or on a salad! Throw it between two pieces of whole-grain bread for non-Whole30ers.

If there’s one thing I learned while doing my first Whole30, it’s that you can create incredible flavors with simple ingredients. It was so much fun to take my favorite meals and tackle the challenge of making them Whole30 approved.

Today I’m so excited to share an easy lunch that was one of my go-to’s during Whole30- chicken salad!

I’m going to keep it real here- more times than not, I used Trader Joe’s canned chicken breast for my chicken salad.

Listen, there’s no shame in my game. If you read the label, it has one ingredient- chicken.

None of this “parts from chicken neck, face, feet” business. I don’t know if there is canned chicken out there that has all that, but you get my point. Steer clear of that nonsense, or bake some chicken breasts in your slow cooker or multicooker (I used mine weekly during our Whole30!).

Easy Chicken Salad

Let’s talk ingredients. Chicken salad is something that people can be picky about. Some prefer more sweet and crunchy, others prefer smooth and more on the savory side.

I’m on the sweet and crunchy team 🙋

Give me the sweet apple, bursts of grape, crunch of almonds and punch of cranberry.

This chicken salad uses homemade Whole30 compliant mayo from the original Whole30 book. Before you’re intimidated, let me just tell you that you literally dump everything in a mason jar and blend it up with an immersion blender. So easy.

Alternatively, you can use store bought compliant mayo like the one from Primal Kitchen.

The best thing about this easy chicken salad recipe is that it’s flexible. No celery, no problems. Have raisins but not cranberries? Throw ’em in. Make sure if you’re on Whole30, that your dried fruit is sweetened without sugar. Read your labels people, you know the drill. I was able to find apple juice sweetened cranberries at Natural Grocers, a local health food store. This brand carries them on Amazon.

Whole30 Real Talk

If you’re on Whole30, here’s my advice to you: find foods you love. You are not going to get through the 30 days eating baked chicken and roasted vegetables.

Experiment with sauces and dips.

Make your own mayo (seriously, you won’t go back).

Try new foods (I now love roasted cabbage).

The first week, we made a breakfast casserole and planned to eat that Monday through Friday for breakfast. I was tired of it on day 3, y’all. Instead, each week we made a breakfast tray bake and switched up the vegetables and protein to keep from getting bored from week to week.

Most importantly, do not be afraid to take shortcuts if that means less stress for you while you stick to your Whole30. One night for dinner, we ate Applegate Hot Dogs in the car with carrot sticks and ranch dressing because we had to go look at a potential home at the last minute. Do not be afraid of frozen vegetables, or rolling up compliant deli meat as your protein on a paper plate and calling it a night.

If you’re looking for more of our Whole30 experience as husband and wife, as well as tips and tricks and favorite recipes we found along the way, you can check out our recaps here:

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

Be sure to hashtag #simplifiedeats when you make this easy chicken salad so I can see your delicious creations! If you have any other easy Whole30 lunches that were a go-to for you, share them below!

Happy chicken salad making,

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