Hamburger Chicken Salad (With Special Sauce!)

Name: Easy Hamburger Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked chicken (shredded); ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt; 2 tablespoons no sugar added ketchup; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish; ¼ cup red onion (finely diced); 1 cup iceberg lettuce (finely chopped); ¼ cup cooked bacon (crumbled); ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese; ½ teaspoons onion powder; ¼ teaspoons smoked paprika; Salt and pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe

Meet your new favorite lunch: Hamburger Chicken Salad. It has all the flavors of a classic Big Mac, with creamy special sauce, crumbled bacon, sharp cheddar, and a touch of smoky paprika, served as a creamy chicken salad over a crisp bed of shredded iceberg lettuce! Chicken salads are my favorite mom meal prep because it gets better as the week goes on, and with my youngest at home with me, I need something quick so I can get to working during nap time!

Hamburger chicken salad served on a bed of lettuce on a plate.

If you know me, you know I am a little obsessed with chicken salad. If you've spent any time on this blog, you know I have no shortage of variations, from my Dill Pickle Chicken Salad to my Southwest Chicken Salad to my Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad, and this one is easily one of my favorites yet.

I'm always looking for quick, high-protein lunches that actually taste like something I want to eat, not just something I should eat. This recipe is exactly that! The "sauce" here is inspired by my Healthy Big Mac Sauce, a Greek yogurt-based special sauce that gives all the delicious big mac flavors. Mixed with shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, sharp cheddar, and a little crunch from red onion, it comes together in just 15 minutes with zero cooking required (as long as your chicken is prepped ahead!)

Nutrition at a Glance

🍗 Protein: Shredded chicken and Greek yogurt make this chicken salad with special sauce a protein powerhouse. Protein helps keep you feeling full longer, supports muscle repair, and promotes steady energy!
🧀 Calcium & Healthy Fats: Sharp cheddar cheese is a good source of calcium to support bone health, plus satisfying fat to keep you full between meals.
🥬 Fiber: Iceberg lettuce and red onion contribute a modest amount of fiber, which supports healthy digestion and helps stabilize blood sugar after meals.
🥓 B Vitamins: Bacon brings more to the table than taste (although the taste is very welcome). It's a source of B vitamins like B12 and niacin, which support energy metabolism and nervous system function.

Ingredients You Need

Ingredients needed to make hamburger chicken salad.

Shredded cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken works beautifully here for a quick shortcut. You can also use my easy shredded chicken recipe if you prefer to cook your own.
Plain Greek yogurt: This replaces mayo as the creamy base of the special sauce. Full-fat Greek yogurt gives the creamiest texture, but low-fat works too.
No sugar added ketchup: Brings that classic burger sauce sweetness without unnecessary added sugar. Regular ketchup is a fine swap if that's what you have.
Yellow mustard: Adds tang to the sauce! Dijon can be used for a slightly different flavor.
Sweet pickle relish: Essential for that Big Mac flavor! If you only have dill relish, it still works, it'll just be a touch more savory.
Red onion: If you find raw red onion too strong, soak the diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding.
Iceberg lettuce: The "bun replacement" and serving base. Iceberg is mild and crisp, perfect for mimicking that hamburger texture!
Cooked bacon: Because a burger is so much better with some bacon! Turkey bacon is a leaner swap, or you can leave it out entirely to keep things simpler.
Sharp cheddar cheese: For that cheeseburger vibe. Mild cheddar, pepper jack, or even Colby jack all work well as substitutes.
Spices: You will need onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to season the hamburger chicken salad to perfection!

Dietary Substitutions

Dairy-Free: Swap the Greek yogurt for a plain, unsweetened dairy-free yogurt (coconut or cashew-based work well) and omit the cheddar cheese, or use your favorite dairy-free cheese shreds.
Lower Fat: Use fat-free or low-fat Greek yogurt and turkey bacon. The flavor will still be great, just slightly lighter in richness.

How to Make Hamburger Chicken Salad

Mixing together special big mac sauce in a small bowl.

Step 1: Make the "special sauce": In a large bowl, whisk together plain Greek yogurt, no sugar added ketchup, pickle relish, and mustard.

Special sauce added to the shredded chicken in a bowl.

Step 2: Mix in the shredded chicken until well coated.

Ingredients for hamburger chicken salad in a bowl before mixing.

Step 3: Fold in diced onion, bacon bits, and shredded cheese. Add onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Cheeseburger chicken salad served on a bed of lettuce on a plate.

Step 4: Serve on a bed of shredded lettuce and enjoy!

Dietitian Tips for Success

Use rotisserie chicken to save time. Rotisserie chicken is one of the best shortcuts in a home kitchen! Keep one on hand during the week and you can have this salad ready in under 10 minutes.
Make the sauce ahead. If you’re short on time, you can make the sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Shred the lettuce finely for the best texture. The iceberg lettuce adds texture to this salad. Slicing it into thin, fine shreds creates the most satisfying base! You can also buy it already shredded as a shortcut!
Double the batch for easy meal prep. This cheeseburger chicken salad stores beautifully in the fridge, making it an excellent candidate for Sunday meal prep. Make a double batch and portion it into individual airtight containers for grab-and-go lunches all week.

How to Serve Hamburger Chicken Salad

Here are some ways I love to serve this easy hamburger chicken salad:

On lettuce cups: Butter lettuce leaves make great little "tacos" for scooping up this chicken salad. Great for a lighter lunch or party appetizer spread.
With crackers: Serve it alongside your favorite crackers for a satisfying snack situation. Almond flour crackers or seeded crackers are my go-to.
In a wrap: Roll it up in a whole wheat tortilla or lettuce wrap with extra shredded iceberg for something a little more portable.
On a sandwich: If you want to go full burger mode, pile it onto a toasted brioche bun or whole grain bread, it's genuinely delicious!

Hamburger chicken salad served on lettuce on a late with more chicken salad in a dish next to it.

Storage Suggestions

Store the burger chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, as the yogurt-based dressing may settle slightly. I recommend storing it separately from the lettuce!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hamburger chicken salad kid-friendly?

Yes! Kids tend to love the familiar flavors in this salad since it tastes just like their favorite fast food! For picky eaters, you can skip the red onion or finely mince it so it blends in better.

Can I use mayo instead of Greek yogurt?

Yes, absolutely! If you prefer a more traditional chicken salad texture and flavor, you can swap the Greek yogurt 1:1 for mayo. You can also do half yogurt and half mayo for a middle-ground option that's a little lighter but still rich and creamy. Keep in mind that using mayo will reduce the protein content of the salad.