Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

Of all the summer salads, a classic chicken salad recipe is always a favorite at a picnic, a barbecue, or an office potluck!

Just a few ingredients can be transformed into a cold, creamy salad or filling for a homemade chicken salad sandwich or wrap!

Keep this chicken salad recipe on hand for last-minute sandwiches, or serve it over a bed of lettuce or with a side ofpasta salad and corn on the cob!

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (1)

Ingredients in Chicken Salad

  • ChickenUse leftover chicken from last night’s dinner or rotisserie chicken. Even leftover grilled chicken works well. Canned chicken can be used, but fresh is preferred.
  • Add-insAs this is a classic chicken salad recipe, I’ve kept the additions to a minimum. Celery for crunch, green onions for flavor.
  • DressingMayonnaise and simple seasonings are all that is needed for the dressing in this recipe.

Change the flavor by adding dill or other fresh herbs. and replace some of the mayo for Greek yogurt, ranch dressing, or your add your favorite salad dressing.

How To Prepare Chicken for Chicken Salad

I most often use rotisserie chicken as it’s already cooked and just needs to be shredded or chopped.

You can also bake chicken breasts or thighs. Once cooked, cool the chicken and shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Leftover chicken from almost any recipe can be used in chicken salad.

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (2)

How to Make Chicken Salad

Prepare this classic chicken salad recipe in just 15 minutes with only a few simple ingredients.

  1. Chop cooked and cooled chicken and place into a large bowl with celery and onions.
  2. Mix dressing ingredients (according to the recipe below) in a bowl. Toss with chicken.
  3. Serve on rolls, bread or over a bed of lettuce.

This chicken salad sandwich recipe can be served on any bread. We love this on a baguette or rolls. Keep it low carb and serve in romaine lettuce as lettuce wraps or spoon over a tossed salad.

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (3)
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (4)

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerator: Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give it a stir and refresh the flavor with fresh herbs or an extra dollop of Dijon mustard.

Freezer: Prepared chicken salad doesn’t freeze well. To prep ahead, dice the chicken and freeze. When ready to make, combine thawed chicken with the remaining ingredients below for a quick lunch!

More Favorite Sandwiches

This chicken salad recipe is a favorite lunch or light dinner. Here are more easy sandwiches that top our list!

Best Egg Salad Recipe

Lunch

Easy Tuna Salad

Sandwiches

Ham Salad Recipe

Lunch

Shrimp Salad

Seafood

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (9)

4.99 from 2109 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Classic Chicken Salad

A classic chicken salad recipe is always a favorite at a picnic, a barbecue, or an office potluck! Just a few ingredients can be transformed into a cold, creamy salad or filling for a homemade chicken salad sandwich or wrap!

Save

ReviewPrint

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (10)

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (11)

Servings 6 servings

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (12)

Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken chopped or shredded
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 rib celery finely diced chopped
  • 1 green onion thinly sliced (or chives or finely diced red onion)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
  • teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill optional

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a medium bowl. Mix well to combine.

  • Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

  • Serve as a sandwich or over salad.

Video

4.99 from 2109 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 206 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 362mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 72IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (14) Course Salad

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (15) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (16)
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (17)
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (18)
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (19)

Categories:

Chicken, Recipes, Sandwiches

Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!

Follow us on Pinterest

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (20)

Recipes you'll love

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Chicken

French Dip Sandwich

Sandwiches

Crispy Cheesy Bacon Rolls

Sandwiches

Cucumber Sandwiches

Lunch

Easy Tuna Salad

Sandwiches

Dill Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese

Appetizer Recipes

About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
See more posts by Holly

Follow Holly on social media:

pinterest facebook twitter instagram

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (28)

Free eBook!

Subscribe to receive weekly recipes and get a FREE Bonus e-book: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals!

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive.

Latest & Greatest

Easy Tuna Salad

Sandwiches

Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

Sandwiches

Cheeseburger Sliders

Appetizer Recipes

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Sandwiches

Ham and Cheese Croissant

Sandwiches

Ham Sandwich with Honey Mustard

Sandwiches

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the main ingredients for chicken salad? ›

Does chicken salad chick use mayo or Miracle Whip? ›

Made Fresh & Served from the Heart. When our Original Chick, Stacy, set out in search of the perfect chicken salad, she found that the only two key components anyone could agree on were chicken and mayonnaise.

What is in the classic Carol chicken salad at chicken salad Chick? ›

Classic Carol

All white meat, shredded chicken, finely minced celery, mayonnaise, & our secret seasoning.

Why is my chicken salad so bland? ›

How to make chicken salad taste better. The secret ingredient you should be adding to your chicken salad is pickle juice (via Cookies and Cups). You can (and should) add chopped pickles for extra tang and crunch, but if you like to keep things simple, just a splash or two of the pickle juice will do.

What is chicken salad chick chicken salad made of? ›

Before we dive into this easy copycat recipe, let's take a moment to appreciate what makes this tasty chicken salad so special. It's a delightful blend of shredded chicken tenderloins, crunchy celery, onions, and a medley of herbs and spices—all bound together by a creamy, tangy dressing.

What kind of bread does chicken salad chick use? ›

Options include White, Wheatberry & Croissants. Availability varies by location.

What is in Publix chicken salad? ›

Cooked Chicken Breast (chicken, Water, Salt, Sodium Phosphate), Mayonnaise (soybeanoil, Egg Yolks With Salt, Water, Vine Gar, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Spice, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Calcium Disodium Edta [preservative]), Celery, Pickle Relish (cucumber, Sugar, Distilled Vinegar, Water, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Natural ...

Why use Miracle Whip instead of mayo? ›

Mayonnaise is made of oil, eggs, and vinegar (or lemon juice). Miracle Whip has the same basic ingredients but with less oil, and the addition of water, sugar, and spices like mustard, paprika, and garlic. Even with these additions, Miracle Whip has almost half the calories of mayo and half the fat.

How does Paula Deen make chicken salad? ›

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and pepper. Gently fold in the chicken, grapes, celery, onion and almonds. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Serve on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato.

What is Pittsburgh chicken salad made of? ›

Served in a large aluminum bowl, it consists of a bed of greens with sliced iceberg lettuce; a few tomatoes, green peppers, and cucumbers; a handful or two of shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese; a grilled chicken breast, sliced; and then, gloriously, a pile of hot, crispy, matchstick French fries.

What are the ingredients in Golden Chick chicken salad? ›

Our chicken salad has fresh celery, walnuts and hand-cut grapes, plus the best Golden Chick chicken. Put that atop fresh lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots and cheese, and you've got the perfect salad.

What goes bad in chicken salad? ›

Discard any chicken salad with visible mold growth. Fresh chicken salad should have a light color. If the chicken or mayonnaise appears discolored or gray, it's time to toss it. Chicken salad should have a creamy or slightly chunky texture.

Should chicken salad be cubed or shredded? ›

After the chicken has cooled to a tolerable temperature, it's time to shred. If you're fan of chunkier chicken salad, feel free to cube the chicken; if you like a creamy, pasty chicken salad (personally it's not my thing, but all preferences are welcome here!), then feel free to chop that chicken into oblivion.

What are the ingredients in chicken salad? ›

What part of the salad contains the main ingredients? ›

The base of a salad is usually a layer of salad greens that line the plate or bowl in which the salad will be served. The body of the salad consists of the main ingredients. Garnish enhances the appearance of the salad while also complementing the overall taste.

What are the 5 components of a salad? ›

There are five elements to a perfect salad: greens, sweetness, creaminess, crunchiness, and dressing. Let's talk about each one.

What is chicken salad sandwich made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey.
  • 1 medium stalk celery, chopped (1/2 cup)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (1/3 cup)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • 8 slices bread.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Margart Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 6206

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Margart Wisoky

Birthday: 1993-05-13

Address: 2113 Abernathy Knoll, New Tamerafurt, CT 66893-2169

Phone: +25815234346805

Job: Central Developer

Hobby: Machining, Pottery, Rafting, Cosplaying, Jogging, Taekwondo, Scouting

Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.