🥑 Keto Chicken Salad Boats
Keto Chicken Salad Boats are a refreshing, low-carb meal that’s perfect for lunch, light dinners, or meal prep. Tender shredded chicken is mixed with creamy mayonnaise, crunchy celery, and flavorful herbs, then served inside crisp lettuce or avocado “boats.” This recipe is packed with healthy fats and protein while keeping the carbs extremely low, making it ideal for anyone following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle.
These chicken salad boats are quick to prepare, require simple ingredients, and can be customized with your favorite keto-friendly additions. The crisp lettuce provides the perfect crunchy vessel for the creamy chicken filling, creating a satisfying dish without bread or tortillas.
⏱ Recipe Overview
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 10 minutes (if cooking chicken fresh)
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Total Time: 25 minutes
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Servings: 4
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Diet: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
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2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
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1/3 cup mayonnaise (preferably avocado oil mayo)
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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1 celery stalk, finely chopped
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2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
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1 teaspoon lemon juice
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Boats
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8 large lettuce leaves (romaine, butter lettuce, or iceberg)
or -
2 large avocados, halved and pitted
Optional Toppings
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2 tablespoons chopped bacon
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1 tablespoon sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
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1 tablespoon chopped chives
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Paprika for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
If you don’t have cooked chicken ready, start by boiling or baking chicken breasts until fully cooked. Let them cool slightly, then shred or dice them into small pieces.
Using leftover rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe and saves time.
2. Make the Chicken Salad
In a medium mixing bowl, combine:
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shredded chicken
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mayonnaise
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Dijon mustard
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chopped celery
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red onion
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parsley
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lemon juice
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garlic powder
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salt and pepper
Stir everything together until the chicken is evenly coated and the ingredients are well mixed.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
3. Prepare the Boats
Wash and dry the lettuce leaves carefully so they stay crisp.
If using avocados, slice them in half and remove the pits. You can scoop out a small amount of the flesh to create more room for the filling.
4. Assemble the Chicken Salad Boats
Spoon a generous amount of the chicken salad mixture into each lettuce leaf or avocado half.
Make sure the filling is evenly distributed so every boat is packed with flavor.
5. Add Toppings
Top the boats with optional garnishes like:
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crispy bacon bits
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chopped chives
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sunflower seeds
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a sprinkle of paprika
These toppings add extra texture and flavor while keeping the recipe keto-friendly.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Keto Chicken Salad Boats pair perfectly with:
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cauliflower chips
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cucumber slices
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keto crackers
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avocado slices
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a light cucumber salad
They are great for picnics, lunch boxes, or quick weekday meals.
🧊 Storage Tips
Store the chicken salad mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For best texture, assemble the boats right before serving so the lettuce stays crisp.
🥑 Keto Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)
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Calories: 320
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Protein: 26g
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Fat: 23g
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Net Carbs: 2–3g
💡 Recipe Tips
✔ Use rotisserie chicken to make this recipe in under 10 minutes.
✔ For extra creaminess, add 1 tablespoon cream cheese to the mixture.
✔ Add diced pickles or relish for a tangy flavor.
✔ If you prefer crunch, mix in chopped pecans or walnuts.
