Name: Classic Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chopped chicken (or shredded chicken); ½ cup mayonnaise; 1 rib celery (diced); 1 green onion (thinly sliced); 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt (more to taste); ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste); 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (or ¼ teaspoon dried dill, optional)

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

This chicken salad recipe is one of my favorites—it makes a delicious quick lunch or dinner.

Chicken, mayonnaise, a few add-ins and some seasonings come together to create a creamy salad or filling for a homemade chicken salad sandwich or wrap!

A classic chicken salad on a roll with tomatoes and lettuce next to cucumbers.

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Chicken Salad Ingredients

Chicken: I most often use rotisserie chicken, but leftover chicken of almost any kind, including grilled chicken, can be used. If using canned chicken, mix all ingredients except the chicken in a bowl and then gently fold in the drained canned chicken.
Add-ins: Since this is a classic chicken salad recipe, I add celery for crunch and green onion for flavor.
Dressing: Mayonnaise adds a creamy texture, while simple seasonings add flavor.

Variations

Add dill or other fresh herbs.
Lighten it up a bit by replacing half of the mayo with Greek yogurt.
Change the flavor by adding ranch dressing.
Dress it up with add-ins like chopped apples, grapes, or chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans.

I most often use rotisserie chicken, as it’s already cooked and just needs to be shredded or chopped. However, almost any leftover chicken can be used in this chicken salad recipe.

You can also bake chicken breasts or thighs. Once cooked, shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cool it before using it in this recipe.

Ingredients ready to mix for a classic chicken salad recipe

How to Make Chicken Salad

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

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

Serving Suggestions

This chicken salad sandwich recipe can be served on any type of bread, including a croissant. I love to lightly toast the bread.
Serve it with crackers for snacking.
Spoon it over greens or into lettuce leaves to make lettuce wraps.

a bowl of mixed chicken salad with a spoon

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerator: Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir before serving.

Freezer: Prepared chicken salad doesn’t freeze well however, to prep ahead, dice the chicken and freeze it it. When ready to make the salad, combine the 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!

4.99 from 2307 votes

Author Holly Nilsson

Classic Chicken Salad

Author Holly Nilsson

Servings 6 servings

This is the best chicken salad recipe with simple ingredients and lots of flavor. Serve it as a sandwich, a salad, or a wrap.

Save Rate Print

Servings 6 servings

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Equipment

Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups cooked chopped chicken or shredded chicken
▢ ½ cup mayonnaise
▢ 1 rib celery diced
▢ 1 green onion thinly sliced
▢ 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
▢ ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt more to taste
▢ ⅛ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
▢ 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or ¼ teaspoon dried dill, optional

Instructions

In a medium bowl, add chicken, mayonnaise, celery, green onion, mustard, salt, pepper, and dill if using. Mix well to combine.
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Serve as a sandwich or over salad.

Video

Notes

Replace the green onion with chives or finely diced red onion if desired.

Optional additions include:

1 cup chopped red grapes or 1 cup chopped peeled apple
2 tablespoons chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)

4.99 from 2307 votes

Nutrition Information

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

Course Salad

Cuisine American

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