Go Back
A glass bowl filled with creamy green goddess chicken salad, featuring shredded chicken, avocado, and fresh herbs.
Layla

Green Goddess Chicken Salad

Creamy herb-packed dressing meets tender poached chicken for a refreshing, protein-rich salad that tastes like spring.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 2 large breasts
  • 4 cup low-sodium chicken broth for poaching
  • 1 bay leaf
For the Green Goddess Dressing
  • 1 cup fresh parsley leaves lightly packed
  • 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves lightly packed
  • 0.25 cup fresh chives cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 anchovy fillets rinsed, or 1 tsp anchovy paste
  • 1 garlic clove smashed
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise full-fat preferred
  • 0.25 cup sour cream
For Assembly
  • 2 celery ribs diced small, about 1 cup
  • 3 scallions thinly sliced, white and green parts
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Food Processor or Blender
  • Large Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Cook the Chicken
  1. Place chicken breasts in a medium saucepan with broth and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken reaches 165°F internally, 15-18 minutes. Remove from heat and let chicken rest in hot liquid for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cool completely, then shred into bite-sized pieces with two forks.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a food processor, combine parsley, basil, chives, anchovies, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped, scraping down sides as needed, about 30 seconds. Add lemon juice and Dijon mustard and pulse to combine.
  2. Add mayonnaise and sour cream to the processor. Blend until smooth and bright green, about 1 minute. Taste and season with salt and pepper - the anchovies add salt, so start light. The dressing should be thick but pourable; thin with a teaspoon of water if needed.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, toss shredded chicken with celery and scallions. Add about three-quarters of the dressing and fold gently until evenly coated. Taste and add more dressing as desired, or reserve extra for serving. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

The anchovies dissolve completely and provide essential savory depth without tasting fishy - do not skip them. For a lighter version, swap half the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt, though the dressing will be tangier. This salad keeps beautifully for 3 days refrigerated; the herbs may darken slightly but the flavor stays vibrant.