Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad

This Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad is a flavorful update to the classic lunch staple. It features tender shredded chicken in a tangy, creamy dressing made with cream cheese and Greek yogurt, so there’s no mayonnaise. Bits of savory bacon, spicy jalapenos, and sharp red onion are mixed in for a satisfying combination of flavors and textures.

You can put this salad together in about 15 minutes, especially if you use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken. It’s a wonderful recipe for meal prep, as the flavors get even better after a day in the fridge. Serve it on its own, with crackers, or as a hearty sandwich filling.

Why will you love Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad?

A mayonnaise-free dressing made from cream cheese and Greek yogurt gives the salad a rich, tangy flavor and a wonderfully creamy texture.

The savory, smoky flavor of crisp bacon and the mild spice from pickled jalapenos provide a balanced contrast to the creamy base.

Using shredded chicken ensures it soaks up the dressing, making every bite flavorful. The fine dice on the onion adds texture without being overpowering.

Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad Ingredients

• Chicken: Use leftover rotisserie chicken or baked chicken breasts to save time on prep.

• Pickled Jalapenos: These are found in jars in the pickle aisle. For less heat, look for a ‘tamed’ or mild version.

• Cream Cheese: Full-fat, block-style cream cheese provides the richest base. Let it soften to room temperature for easier mixing.

• Greek Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt adds tang and creaminess. Full-fat or non-fat both work well. Sour cream is a great substitute.

• Red Onion: For a milder onion flavor, you can soak the finely diced onion in a small bowl of cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well before using.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Bacon

If you are starting with raw chicken, cook it by poaching or baking until it is fully cooked. Let it cool enough to handle, then shred the meat with two forks. While the chicken cooks, cook the bacon slices in a skillet until crisp, then set aside to drain and crumble.

Step 2: Mix the Creamy Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and all the seasonings. Use a flexible spatula to mash and stir the ingredients together until the dressing is completely smooth and no lumps remain.

Step 3: Combine and Chill

Add the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped jalapenos, jalapeno juice, and diced red onion to the bowl of dressing. Stir thoroughly until everything is well combined and evenly coated. For the best result, cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

What to Serve with Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad

Serve this chicken salad in a sandwich with lettuce and tomato, spooned into a wrap, or alongside crackers for a simple lunch.

Helpful Tricks for Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad

Ensure chicken is safe to eat by checking that its internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.

To save time, you can use about 3-4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.

The flavors in this salad deepen as it chills. It’s a great option to make a few hours ahead of time.

Adjust the amount of jalapenos and jalapeno juice to match your preferred spice level.

How to Store and Freeze Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the dressing will change upon thawing.

Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad Recipe FAQs

Can I make this chicken salad without bacon?

Yes, you can leave out the bacon if you prefer. The salad will still be flavorful from the jalapenos and creamy dressing.

Is this chicken salad very spicy?

The spice level is moderate. For less heat, use fewer jalapenos or look for ‘tamed’ pickled jalapenos. For more heat, add an extra tablespoon of chopped jalapenos.

Can I use something other than Greek yogurt?

Sour cream is a good substitute for Greek yogurt and can be swapped in equal amounts. You could also use blended cottage cheese for a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.

Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad

Creamy shredded chicken salad gets a spicy kick from pickled jalapenos, balanced with rich cream cheese and savory bacon.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded, 680g
• 4 oz block cream cheese softened, 113g
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 120g
• 3 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos finely chopped, 45g
• 1 tbsp juice from the pickled jalapeno jar 15ml
• 1/4 cup red onion finely diced, 40g
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

 

• If using raw chicken, place the breasts in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from water, let cool slightly, then shred the chicken using two forks.
• While the chicken cooks, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble or chop it.
• In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir with a spatula until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Add the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped jalapenos, jalapeno juice, and diced red onion to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture.
• Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
• Taste the chicken salad and add more salt or pepper if needed. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

Ensure chicken is safe to eat by checking that its internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.

To save time, you can use about 3-4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.

The flavors in this salad deepen as it chills. It's a great option to make a few hours ahead of time.

Adjust the amount of jalapenos and jalapeno juice to match your preferred spice level.

Keyword chicken salad, jalapeno holly chicken salad, jalapeno recipe, lunch idea, spicy chicken