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–+ servings
A plate of colorful Salsa Chicken Coleslaw with carrots, red cabbage, cheese crumbles, and fresh cilantro, served on a white dish with a fork and knife beside it. A bowl of limes and extra slaw are nearby.

5-Minute Salsa Chicken Slaw (No-Cook Healthy Lunch)

A fresh, crunchy, no-cook slaw made with just three ingredients — tender rotisserie chicken, crunchy coleslaw mix, and bold salsa — tossed together in 5 minutes and finished with a squeeze of lime for the ultimate easy, protein-packed lunch.
Yield: 1 hearty serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken*
  • 1 to 2 cups coleslaw mix, use 2 cups for extra volume and crunch
  • ½ cup salsa, mild, medium, or hot
  • Fresh lime juice, to taste

Optional add-ins

Creamy Boost

  • ¼ –½ avocado, diced
  • 1 –2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, stir into salsa first for a creamy dressing vibe
  • 1 tablespoon light mayo

Fresh & Bright

  • Chopped cilantro
  • Diced red onion
  • Scallions
  • Extra lime zest

Spicy Kick

  • Pickled jalapeños
  • Dash of hot sauce
  • Sprinkle chili powder or smoked paprika

Savory Upgrade

  • Crumbled cotija or feta
  • Shredded pepper jack
  • Light sprinkle taco seasoning

Crunch Factor

  • Toasted pepitas
  • Crushed tortilla chips
  • Chopped or sliced almonds
Ingredient Details to Know
* Remove and discard the skin, then pull the meat from the bones and shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces. 

Instructions
 

  • Add shredded chicken and coleslaw mix to a medium bowl.
  • Toss thoroughly with ½ cup salsa, making sure everything is evenly coated.
  • Finish with a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice. Toss again. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Simplicity is the beauty here. If you can shred chicken and open a jar of salsa, you can make this.
Endless versatility:
  • Spoon into lettuce cups
  • Wrap in a whole-grain tortilla
  • Serve over quinoa or brown rice
  • Stuff into a baked sweet potato
  • Add cheese and broil for a warm version
Make-ahead tip: You can prep the chicken and slaw ahead of time. Wait to add salsa and lime until just before serving for the best texture.
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN

Nutrition Information per serving

Calories: 240Carbohydrates: 17gProtein: 36gTotal Fat: 4.5g— Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g— Saturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 910mgFiber: 6gTotal Sugar: 10g— Natural Sugar: 10g— Added Sugar: 0gVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 1.7mg
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.