Easy Keto Everything Bagel Chicken Salad

This keto everything bagel chicken salad is so easy to make and packed with all the flavor of an everything bagel smeared in cream cheese! Put your leftover (or even canned) chicken to good use with a unique and delicious lunch or summer dinner!

I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit that I missed some flavors from the high carb, gluten-filled diet that I used to eat a decade ago. Besides a warm, crusty dinner roll smeared with butter, I might miss an everything bagel the most. I absolutely love the flavor of Everything Bagels!

When I discovered chicken Everything Bagel Chicken with Scallion Cream Cheese Sauce by Cheryl at 40Aprons, I thought I died and went to Heaven! The flavors are reminiscent of an everything bagel smothered in cream cheese, yet it is low carb and keto-friendly and absolutely divine.

I created this recipe to echo the flavors of an everything bagel smothered in cream cheese, just like Cheryl’s recipe did. It’s a super easy, low carb and keto chicken salad recipe that would make a unique and flavorful lunch or a summer dinner!

How will this recipe support my mental health?

Chicken is the primary ingredient in this chicken salad recipe, and it is an excellent source of protein. Protein is made up of amino acids, and several of them are used to make neurotransmitters that regulate mood and concentration. Chicken provides almost 500 mg of tryptophan, the amino acid used to make serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness [source]. Chicken also provides significant amounts of the amino acids glycine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine, all of which are also used to make neurotransmitters that can help with feelings of focus, motivation and contentment [source].

Chicken also provides nutrients needed to convert these amino acids into neurotransmitters, namely vitamin B3 (niacin), B6, B12, choline and zinc. So not only will this low carb and keto chicken salad keep your blood sugar steady, it will also provide your body with nutrients to support your mood and focus!

Can I use Rotisserie or Canned Chicken?

You could certainly cook chicken breast just for this recipe in your Instant Pot or oven, but you could also use leftover cooked chicken breast. Rotisserie chicken meat could also be used to make this recipe.

Typically, I’m all about fresh and unprocessed food, but we aren’t exactly living in normal times. Coronavirus has caused a shortage of all sorts of items. Meat has become one of those items that is not always available due to the recent news that some meat packing plants are closing due to COVID-19 outbreaks. So, if you can’t find fresh or frozen chicken, what can you use to make this chicken salad?

Canned chicken often includes some sort of preservative. But, it certainly can be used in a pinch. I’ve done it myself and found that it actually shreds quite easily to make this a delicious shredded chicken salad!

(Hint: Wild Planet brand canned chicken does not contain any type of preservatives)

How to Make Keto Everything Bagel Chicken Salad

Making this chicken salad is so easy! Only a few basic ingredients are required:

• cooked chicken - I prefer chicken breast for this recipe because it really soaks up the flavor and creaminess of the rest of the ingredients! You can cook chicken breast in your instant pot or oven, or use leftover or even canned chicken.
• cream cheese - be sure to read the ingredients to avoid additives, and choose organic whenever possible
• half and half - I recommend organic
• everything bagel seasoning - this can be found at almost every grocery store. Trader Joe's sells it as Everything but the Bagel Seasoning. I've even seen it at Costco!

Step 1: gather your ingredients. Shred the chicken and slice the scallions.

Step 2: Soften the cream cheese before adding the half and half and everything bagel seasoning to the bowl. Whisk to combine.

Step 3: Mix in the shredded chicken and decide how you want to serve it!

There are so Many Ways to Serve it!

There are lots of ways to enjoy this everything bagel chicken salad!

• Hollow out a tomato and make an everything bagel chicken salad stuffed tomato for a hearty keto lunch or quick summer dinner.
• Cut an avocado in half and scoop out the seed. Fill with a scoop of chicken salad to make a stuffed avocado.
• Serve in lettuce cups to make easy chicken salad lettuce wraps. Add tomato slices or sprouts, if you’d like.
• Make a salad for a summer lunch or easy summer dinner by drizzling a bed of salad greens in avocado oil and sprinkling with more everything bagel seasoning and then topping with a scoop of this everything bagel chicken salad.
• Make a killer sandwich with low-carb or gluten-free bread (or regular bread, if that’s your thing).

Easy Keto Everything Bagel Chicken Salad

If you miss the flavor of an everything bagel smeared in cream cheese, like I do, then you need this recipe in your life! It is so easy to make yet unique and packed with flavor. Eating it for lunch or a summer dinner will make you so happy that this may turn into your favorite way to use leftover (or canned) chicken!

Photos by Kim Caruk at Deliciously Keto. Find her on Instagram and Facebook!

5 from 3 votes

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Easy Keto Everything Bagel Chicken Salad

This keto everything bagel chicken salad is so easy to make and packed with all the flavor of an everything bagel smeared in cream cheese! Put your leftover (or even canned) chicken to good use with a unique and delicious lunch or summer dinner!

Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 208 kcal

Author Laura Duffy

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ to 1 ½ lbs chicken breast cooked and shredded
• ½ cup cream cheese room temp or warmed 30 seconds in microwave
• ¼ cup half and half
• 2 large scallions slivered (about ¼ cup)
• 2 Tbsp Everything Bagel seasoning

Instructions

1. Shred the cooked chicken.

2. Soften the cream cheese in the microwave. Add the half and half and whisk together in a large bowl until smooth. (see notes)

3. When it’s smooth, stir in the everything bagel seasoning and slivered scallions.

4. Add the shredded chicken and mix until all of it is well coated.

5. Serve using one of the serving suggestions above and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

The cream cheese and half and half will come together using a whisk if the cream cheese is softened in the microwave first. If using room temperature cream cheese, use beaters to mix together the cream cheese and half and half.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Keto Everything Bagel Chicken Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 208 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 97mg32%

Sodium 460mg20%

Potassium 470mg13%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 26g52%

Vitamin A 365IU7%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 38mg4%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.