The Best Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

This is the ultimate chicken salad recipe! We call this ‘fancy’ Chicken Salad because of the dressing, grapes, and pecans, but it’s truly easy. This is a fresher and lightened-up version of classic chicken salad and it’s perfect for meal prep.

This is the perfect side dish or main course. It’s especially easy if you use leftover rotisserie chicken. Watch the video tutorial and see how simple it is.

The Best Chicken Salad Recipe (1)

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We love protein-packed salads like our Chicken Avocado Salad, Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad, and Cobb Salad. This creamy chicken salad is really the best combination of chicken salad and Waldorf salad that will become a go-to for lunch.As a busy working mom, I always appreciate quick and easy lunch ideas.

Chicken Salad Video Tutorial

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Ingredients for Chicken Salad

The 5 ingredients in this chicken salad are so simple, but each one is important for the best taste, texture, and color.

  • Chicken – we use 2 large chicken breasts from a whole roasted chicken, but you can use rotisserie chicken, Baked Chicken Breast, or sauteed chicken breasts instead. Dark-meat chicken like our quick-cooking Air Fryer Chicken Thighs will also work.
  • Celery – adds a great crunch to the salad and lightens up the flavor. Even if you aren’t a fan of celery, don’t skimp on it and I hope you give it a try.
  • Grapes – add sweet juiciness to the salad. Just like in our Broccoli Grape Salad, the grapes are a refreshing addition and make the salad feel ‘fancy.’
  • Pecans – we toasted nuts on a dry skillet to give them even more flavor.
  • Red onion – finely chop half of a medium red onion, or you can add red onion to taste. You can also substitute for chopped green onion, but red onion keeps better refrigerated.
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The Best Chicken Salad Dressing

This is similar to the dressing we love for our popular Broccoli Salad, except we didn’t add any sugar or honey since the grapes add plenty of sweetness. This dressing is creamy, tangy and adding sour cream makes it lighter than just using mayo.

  • Mayonnaise – use real mayo for the best flavor.
  • Sour cream – we use full-fat sour cream, but you can substitute it with low-fat sour cream or fat-free Greek yogurt.
  • Lemon juice – be sure to use freshly squeezed and not from concentrate.
  • Dill – finely chopped fresh dill is our favorite, but you can substitute with 2 Tbsp of finely chopped fresh parsley.
  • Salt and Pepper – added to taste
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Chicken Salad Substitutions

  • Nuts – You can swap out the pecans for walnuts, almonds, or cashews, or leave them out altogether.
  • Fruit – try diced apples or pears or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.
  • Onion – if you prefer a milder onion flavor, try sweet Vidalia onion, or chives instead of yellow onion.
  • Celery – if you don’t like celery, you can omit it or substitute it with diced bell pepper or even diced cucumber, but leftovers don’t keep as well with cucumber.
  • Canned Chicken – you can use canned chicken, however, we recommend fresh, cooked chicken for the best texture.

How to Make Chicken Salad

This salad comes together so fast in one bowl, which is why it’s the ideal lunch option.

  • Toast pecans – place on a dry skillet over medium/low heat and toss frequently until pecans are golden and fragrant. Transfer to a cutting board to coarsely chop and set aside to cool then add to a large bowl.
  • Chop Chicken – dice cold chicken breast and add it to the mixing bowl. Note: We prefer the texture of chicken when it’s diced instead of shredded.
  • Halve Grapes – cut grapes in half with a serrated knife and add to the bowl.
  • Chop celery and onion – trim off ends and finely chop, cut celery sticks in half lengthwise then thinly slice and add to the bowl.
  • Make Dressing – Combine the dressing ingredients in a dish and add dressing to the salad.
  • Toss to combine – stir until salad is evenly coated in dressing, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
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How to Serve Chicken Salad

Just like with a classic Tuna Salad, this chicken salad can be served as a side salad or as a main course. We love to serve it for lunch because it’s easy to turn it into a meal.

  • Over Mixed Greens – place your favorite greens such as arugula or mixed salad greens into a large bowl, top with the chicken salad, and serve.
  • Lettuce Cups – serving in lettuce cups is a great low-carb option for lunch.
  • Croissant Sandwiches – Cut the croissant in half without cutting all the way through then fill it with the salad. It tastes like a bakery-quality sandwich.
  • Pita Bread – we love to stuff a pita with chicken salad, it’s so simple and good.

Pro Tip

The best way to reheat a croissant is to toast it in an air fryer at 350˚F for 3 minutes until it’s lightly crisp on the outside and warmed through. This is what we do with store-bought croissants and they taste like they just came out of a bakery oven.

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Make-Ahead

To Refrigerate – Store the leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days depending on how fresh the cooked chicken is. The USDA recommends storing cooked chicken for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

More Easy Lunch Ideas

If you love this Chicken Salad, then you won’t want to miss these lunch recipes that keep well in the refrigerator and are perfect for meal planning.

  • Taco Salad
  • Egg Salad
  • Cheeseburger Sliders
  • Reuben Sandwich
  • Philly Cheesesteak
  • Chickpea Salad

I hope this creamy chicken salad gives you some great lunchtime inspiration. I’m convinced this will become your new favorite creamy dressing – it’s easy and excellent.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

5 from 212 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

The Best Chicken Salad Recipe (8)

We call this 'fancy' Chicken Salad but it's truly easy. Its a fresher and lighter version of classic creamy chicken salad and it keeps well so it’s perfect for meal prep.

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 6 people as a side salad

Chicken Salad Ingredients:

  • 1 lb cooked chicken breast meat, 4 cups diced*
  • 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
  • 1 cup celery, cut in halve lengthwise then sliced, (from 2-3 sticks celery)
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped (1/2 medium red onion)
  • 1 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped

Chicken Salad Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp dill, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Place the pecans on a dry skillet over medium/low heat and toast for 3-5 minutes, tossing frequently until golden and fragrant then transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop and set aside to cool.

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine diced chicken, halved grapes, sliced celery, chopped onion and cooled pecans.

  • In a small bowl, add all of the dressing ingredients and stir to combine.

  • Add all of the dressing to the salad, or add it to taste and stir until salad is evenly coated with dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

*You can make a roasted chicken, buy a rotisserie chicken or you can sautee or bake chicken breasts.

Nutrition Per Serving

438kcal Calories15g Carbs22g Protein33g Fat6g Saturated Fat13g Polyunsaturated Fat12g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat71mg Cholesterol398mg Sodium453mg Potassium3g Fiber10g Sugar236IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C65mg Calcium2mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

438

% Daily Value*

Fat

33

g

51

%

Saturated Fat

6

g

38

%

Trans Fat

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

13

g

Monounsaturated Fat

12

g

Cholesterol

71

mg

Sodium

398

mg

17

%

Potassium

453

mg

13

%

Carbohydrates

15

g

5

%

Fiber

3

g

13

%

Sugar

10

g

11

%

Protein

22

g

44

%

Vitamin A

236

IU

5

%

Vitamin C

6

mg

7

%

Calcium

65

mg

7

%

Iron

2

mg

11

%

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

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chicken Salad

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 438

Natasha Kravchuk

The Best Chicken Salad Recipe (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

The Best Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to improve the taste of chicken salad? ›

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.

How does Rachael Ray make chicken salad? ›

Directions
  1. Place peppers, garlic, vinegar, oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor or blender; blend until smooth.
  2. Pour dressing into a large bowl and toss with chicken, onion, capers or olives, and half the almonds.
  3. Transfer to a platter. Garnish with remaining almonds.
  4. Serve with lettuce leaves.

How does Gordon Ramsay make chicken salad? ›

Famous LOADED Chicken Salad Ingredients : 2 Cups chicken shredded or cubed (I like rotisserie) 1 Cup celery finely chopped 1 Cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded ½ Cup crispy bacon crumbled ½ Cup sour cream ¼ Cup mayonnaise ¼ Cup yellow onion finely chopped 3 Green onions sliced Salt & Pepper to taste (about 1/4-1/2 tsp ...

What are the ingredients in chicken salad? ›

How do I give chicken the best flavor? ›

Spices: Garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, and cumin add savoriness and flavor to the chicken. Spices like paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and Cajun seasoning add heat and smokiness to the chicken.

What makes chicken taste better? ›

Marinate them.

If you're cooking chicken breasts without skin or fat, infuse them with some extra flavor and liquid to keep them tender. Choose your favorite marinade and throw them in a ziploc bag with the marinade. Marinate them overnight before grilling, baking, or searing. The difference is uncanny.

Why is my chicken salad so bland? ›

Citrus juice and zest

Citrus juice does wonders to brighten the flavor of foods — including lackluster chicken salad. The acidity in citrus juice balances out the fat in the mayonnaise dressing while adding a tangy pop of flavor. The extra moisture from the juice can also help to make the salad tastier.

Is chicken salad actually healthy? ›

Chicken salad is rich in lean protein and a decent source of iron. Depending on what other ingredients it contains, it might also provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Still, using ingredients such as mayonnaise or serving the salad on a croissant adds calories and fat.

Does chicken salad chick use mayonnaise? ›

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. From there, she developed recipes to please every palate, everything from the traditional to the savory, fruity, and spicy.

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 chicken salad good for after you make it? The short answer is to store chicken salad in a sealed container in the fridge or cooler for no more than four days.

Why is chicken salad so high in calories? ›

Depending on the other ingredients, it may also contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Using mayonnaise or serving the salad on a croissant, on the other hand, adds calories and fat. As a result, it's better to eat chicken salad in moderation as part of a well-rounded diet.

What culture is chicken salad from? ›

History. The Chinese chicken salad that is popular in the US seems to be a product of pan-Asian cuisine or fusion cuisine influences, rather than having roots in Chinese cuisine. Reasoning for that theory is that green lettuce salad is a dish of primarily Western origins.

What is the most popular salad ingredients? ›

A typical salad starts with raw greens, such as lettuce, spinach, kale, mixed greens or arugula. However, you can also add several other raw vegetables. Some popular raw veggie toppings include chopped carrots, onions, cucumbers, celery, mushrooms and broccoli.

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 bacteria is in chicken salad? ›

(CNN) — Certain brands of fresh ready-to-eat salads that include chicken or ham may also contain lettuce contaminated with listeria, a potentially deadly bacteria, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

How can I make my salad more flavorful? ›

Fresh herbs, like basil, parsley, chives, cilantro, mint or dill, add flavor to salads and dressings. For a spicy kick, sprinkle some red pepper flakes. Make your own dressing. Bottled dressings are often lacking in taste and many contain artificial ingredients.

How do you make chicken taste good again? ›

Just because the chicken is already cooked doesn't mean it can't benefit from a rub. Before reheating, make a custom blend of your favorite spices like paprika, cayenne, onion or garlic powder. Mix in dried herbs or a bit of sugar for beautiful caramelization, then sprinkle it evenly over the skin.

How to fix chicken salad that is too sweet? ›

Adding lime juice can to your dish can balance out the sweetness. In case, you don't want too much of tanginess in the dish you can also add vinegar white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar.

References

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