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 easy recipe on hand for last-minute sandwich prep when last-minute invitations come up! Serve this summer with a side of Italian pasta salad and crunchy grilled corn on the cob!
Ingredients in Chicken Salad
Chicken:
- Use leftovers from last night’s dinner or leftover rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken.
- To Make Chicken for chicken salad I like to use either poached chicken or baked chicken breasts or thighs.
- You can use canned chicken in a pinch but of course fresh is best when possible.
- Ensure the chicken is cooled and shred or chop the chicken 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.
- This recipe can be made with a variety of nuts, veggies, and fruit for added flavor and texture.
- Chicken salad with grapes, avocado or dried cranberries is a favorite. Pecans or almonds pair well with this recipe.
Dressing:
- Mayonnaise is the base of this recipe and it’s simply seasoned.
- You can get creative and substitute some of the mayo for ranch dressing or your favorite salad dressing recipe.
- Create an Avocado Chicken Salad by replacing some of the mayonnaise with mashed avocado.
How to Make Chicken Salad?
Prepare a classic chicken salad in 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 (per recipe below) in a bowl. Toss with chicken.
- Serve on rolls, bread or over a bead of lettuce.
For this chicken salad sandwich recipe, any bread will do, thick slices of a baguette or buns/rolls hold up well. This is naturally low carb and it’s great over a tossed salad as well.
Got Leftovers?
REFRIGERATOR: In an airtight container, the chicken salad will last about a week in the refrigerator. Give it a stir and refresh the flavor with a little salt and pepper (or an extra dollop of Dijon mustard) and serve!
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!
Must-Try Sandwiches
- Pineapple Chicken Salad with Grapes – fresh summer favorite
- Best Egg Salad Recipe – All-American classic!
- Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad Wrap – loaded with flavor
- Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad – deliciously fresh & tasty!
- Classic Tuna Salad – ready in 10 minutes!
- Shrimp Salad – fabulous light entreé
Classic Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 stalk 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
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad
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Delicious. Just the right amount of ingredients for a great taste!
I’ve been using this recipe since my husband was diagnosed with diabetes 2 and went keto to get well. He’s so in love with this chicken salad recipe he still wants it once a week now for years. Sometimes I mix it up and add new things or use Avocado mayo instead of regular and red onions, sometimes chopped jalapeño peppers, but whatever I do keeps him interested and asking for your amazing chicken salad recipe! Thanks for helping me get started on keeping my man healthier.
Wow Cathy, I’m so happy this is a favorite in your house!
EXCELLENT recipe!!!! I couldn’t get my husband to stop eating! I didn’t have any fresh dill on hand so I minced some pickles in its place. I also added two boiled eggs roughly chopped.
Finally, a chicken salad that is delicious and simple. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes with us!
This is such a tasty recipe for chicken salad!! Will be making again :)
This is my go-to recipe for chicken salad. It is so easy to follow and delicious in taste. I do substitute 1 Tablespoon of relish for the dill. It is always a hit! Thank you for sharing!
Perfect recipe. Easy and delicious. Makes great sandwich filling. My husband put a bunch in his tossed salad and loved it that way too. I almost always have these ingredients. Good way to use a rotisserie chicken. Thank you!
My sister in law made this for our niece’s bridal shower. It was a huge hit!! I immediately got the recipe and made it a week later. It’s so easy and soooo delicious!!! Another huge hit at home! I doubled the recipe, so we’d have it through the week. Love it!
I regret adding the Dijon Mustard as it took away the great taste of the chicken.
Added dried cranberries and pecan pieces. Used green onions. Delicious.
Holly, Thank you for this recipe. You’re really inspired.
I was wondering..did you go to culinary school? Your recipes seem to suggest that.
I’m an amateur cook and baker at 74 years of age. I make your recipes sometimes “as is”, but sometimes I experiment with other ingredients or techniques. To me, this is what makes cooking and baking so challenging and creative. I really love the process.
I know I have a lot to learn, but trying different things(sometimes yes, sometimes no) always keeps me heading in the right direction. I always learn something no matter what the results are.
Again thank you for your expertise!
So glad you are loving our recipes, Paul! Holly is actually trained in biological technology to work in a research lab! But her love of cooking has led to her to take a variety of cooking classes and culinary boot camp to further develop her expertise! You can read more about her story here!
Just what I needed! I’ll be feasting on these all Winter!
Love all your recipes, they are simple and quick with flavor
I love this recipe! I switched it up today and used crunchy breaded chicken tenders. The only thing I would change when using those is a tad less seasoning salt. But other than that . . . . yum!!
Hi Holly. I had some chicken left over so I thought I’d make some chicken salad. My first thought was of you. I knew you must have a recipe for that. Sure enough I made it and knew I wouldn’t be disappointed! It was delicious! Thanks for all you yummy recipes.
Delicious! For a nice “spin” on this recipe, I added chopped gherkins (Maille – L’Original, the little ones) and a little Sambal Oelek. I reduced the mayonnaise to 1/3 cup, and added more fresh dill. I doubled the recipe for a hungry crowd, serving this salad on fresh ciabatta buns.
Wonderful Chicken Salad Sandwich does not disappoint. I hosted a ladies luncheon and everyone raved about how flavorful and delicious this recipe is. I served the filling on fresh buttered, bakery croisants with fresh leafy lettuce accompanied by a nice spicey apple salad with a cider vinigrette dressing and a cold pitcher of fresh lemonaide. We finished our lunch off with Strawberry Shortcake & coffee! I will definately make this again!!