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

Chicken:

  • Use 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.
  • To prepare chicken for chicken salad: Make baked chicken breast or thighs or poach until tender.
  • Ensure the chicken is cooled and shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.

Add-ins:

  • As this is a classic chicken salad recipe, I’ve kept the additions to a minimum. Celery for crunch, green onions for flavor.
  • Add a variety of nuts, veggies, or fruit for added flavor and texture. Try this chicken salad recipe with grapes, avocado, dried cranberries, pecans or almonds.

Dressing:

  • Mayonnaise and simple seasonings are the base of this recipe.
  • Change the flavor and replace some of the mayo for Greek yogurt, ranch dressing, or your add your favorite salad dressing.
  • Create an Avocado Chicken Salad by replacing some of the mayonnaise with mashed avocado.
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 bead 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)

Got 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 a fresh herb or an extra dollop of Dijon mustard.

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

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Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (12)

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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!

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Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (14)

Servings 6 servings

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (15)

Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Serve as a sandwich or over salad.

Video

4.99 from 1962 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 (18) 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 (19)
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (20)
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (21)

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Chicken, Recipes, Sandwiches

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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!
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Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (30)

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Classic Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the ingredients for chicken salad? ›

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? ›

Classic Carol

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

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 a common ingredient in salad? ›

Most leafy vegetables that can be eaten raw are used: all varieties of lettuce, garden cress and watercress, endives, cabbage, spinach, escarole, romaine (cos), arugula, and fresh herbs. Other vegetables, raw or cooked—tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, peppers, beets, and so on—may garnish the green salad.

What are the four 4 components of salad? ›

The basic parts of a salad are the base, the body, the garnish, and the dressing. The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination.

What should you not do in the preparation of chicken salad? ›

Overcooked or dry chicken

Flavor and texture also matter a lot. To ensure that your chicken salad tastes the way that it should, you should avoid using overcooked or dry chicken in your recipe. Unfortunately, as we cook chicken, the moisture of the bird slowly evaporates.

How to perk up chicken salad? ›

Optional Chicken Salad Recipe Add-Ins

There's a lot you can do with a good basic recipe for chicken salad. Add minced fresh herbs like parsley, chives, basil, or tarragon. Add fresh grapes for juicy little bursts of flavor. Add cooked pasta to stretch the chicken salad into a larger meal.

Why do I feel sick after eating chicken salad? ›

For instance, you can be hit with severe nausea and vomiting just an hour after eating contaminated chicken salad that has a type of toxin-producing bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus.

Why did Chick Fil A stop making chicken salad? ›

Speaking with Today, a representative for Chick-fil-A stated, "We know that many of our customers loved our Chicken Salad, but we have also heard from guests that they are looking for new tastes and fresh flavors on the menu in our restaurants." The desire for novel flavors seems a bit overstated, considering that ...

Does chicken salad chick make their chicken salad daily? ›

Southern Comfort Food Prepared Fresh Daily

Welcome to Chicken Salad Chick, where all of our meals are prepared fresh each and every day.

What is in the Mcdonald's chicken salad? ›

Freshly prepared salad with chicken breast in a crispy coating, lettuce, cucumber, sliced tomato and red onion. Nutrition and allergen information do not include dressing.

What is the classic carol at Chicken Salad Chick? ›

The Classic Carol chicken salad from Chicken Salad Chick is their first and most basic chicken salad. No frills here – just delicious white meat chicken, celery, mayo and a touch of their "secret" seasoning!

What type of bread does chicken salad chick use? ›

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

Does chicken salad chick have celery in their chicken salad? ›

Classic Carol – Delicious all-white meat, shredded chicken, finely minced celery, mayo, and our blend of secret seasoning that will keep you coming back for more!

What are 5 types of other ingredients that can be used for salads? ›

Main Ingredients of Salad:
  • Leafy Greens: Examples include lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale.
  • Vegetables: Tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, red onion, etc.
  • Protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, beans, eggs, cheese.
  • Extras: Avocado, croutons, nuts, seeds.
Dec 31, 2019

How good is homemade chicken salad good for? ›

It's tempting to stir up a big batch so that we can enjoy leftovers for a few days. But how long is it safe to keep chicken salad on hand? The short answer is to store chicken salad in a sealed container in the fridge or cooler for no more than four days.

What does a grilled chicken salad contain? ›

Mix in cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, lightly pickled red onion, and tangy goat cheese crumbles, then top it off with lime-kissed slices of juicy grilled chicken and a punchy vinaigrette. The big, bold flavors and crisp ingredients ensure you'll never tire of this tasty, feel-good combo.

Does chicken salad contain onions? ›

The best Classic Chicken Salad recipe is flavorful with simple ingredients. Chicken, celery, mayonnaise, green onions, and a little lemon juice make this salad taste like heaven. Feel free to add in whatever you want but this is great just as it is!

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