Best Chicken Salad

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My best chicken salad recipe is simple in ingredients but the chicken flavor is the star. With the perfect blend of tender chicken, celery, and creamy dressing, it’s great to use in sandwiches and appetizers. 

This recipe proves that chicken salad doesn’t have to be complex to be delicious. There are recipes online that call for add-ins like walnuts, apples, and dried fruit. While salads like that may be tasty on their own, they really aren’t suitable for a chicken salad sandwich.

Also, with those specific ingredients, the recipes are technically for Waldorf salad, minus the green grapes.

bowl of simple chicken salad

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How much chicken do I need?

This recipe calls for 2 cups of chicken. If you are using bone-in chicken, such as rotisserie, you will need at least a 2 pound chicken to yield 2 cups of meat. For boneless chicken, such as breast meat, you should be able to yield 2 cups of meat from 1 pound of boneless meat.

close up image of cubes of chicken and celery covered with mayo dressing

Storage and expiration date

In my opinion, the best chicken salad is one that is eaten shortly after it is made. Any leftovers should be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator. Stored this way, it should keep well for up to 5 days.

overhead image of homemade mayo-based cold salad

Can you freeze chicken salad with mayonnaise?

Yes, technically you can freeze any type of cold salad made with mayo. The problem, however, is that if you use too much dressing, the chicken salad may end up freezing in clumps. As a result, when it thaws out, the dressing can become too watery.

Because of this, I think the best chicken salad is one that you enjoy when it’s freshly made.

cold chicken salad sandwich with lettuce

Chicken salad sandwich and other uses

Because this is a simple chicken salad recipe, it lends itself to uses other than sandwiches. Here are just a few ideas for using chicken salad in appetizers and main dishes.

  • Tea sandwiches
  • Stuffed inside tomatoes
  • Spooned onto puff pastry
  • Stuffed bell peppers – Unlike traditional stuffed peppers, cold chicken salad is delicious in raw bell peppers. You can even use a small paring knife to carve bell peppers into baskets. They look adorable filled with tuna or chicken salad!
  • Celery stick appetizers
  • Lettuce wraps
  • Panini sandwiches

bowl of the best chicken salad

What should I serve along with the salad?

If you are using it to make sandwiches, classic sides to serve with chicken salad include

  • Potato chips
  • French fries
  • Fresh fruit
  • Raw veggies like celery, carrots, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes
  • Pickle spears

Other delicious sides to serve with a simple chicken salad include:

titled image: simple chicken salad - the salad is in a blue serving bowl

Ingredients in the best chicken salad recipe

As mentioned earlier, the ingredients for this recipe are simple classics. Nothing fancy is needed because we want the flavor of the chicken to stand out above the dressing.

ingredients to make the best chicken salad recipe on marble board

  • Cooked chicken – The recipe can be made using dark or white meat chicken. I prefer to use my oven-baked chicken breast, but whatever type you have on hand is just fine. Also, this is a great recipe to make with leftover chicken or even rotisserie chicken. And it doesn’t even have to be cubed chicken; shredded chicken works well too!

cubes of cooked rotisserie chicken

  • Chopped celery  – Celery is an important ingredient, as it brings the classic crunch that people expect of chicken salad. Chop the celery finely or in larger pieces if you prefer. The crunch factor is a matter of personal preference. Be careful not to have the pieces too large. Keep in mind that celery is a very watery vegetable. After it is cut, the water releases into your salad. If your chicken salad becomes too watery, you can add a little more dressing to thicken it up.

chopped celery on cutting board

  • Mayonnaise – Mayo is where things can get very personal with a chicken salad sandwich recipe! I insist on using Duke’s mayonnaise for the perfect creamy texture. Although, as a result, it can be high in saturated fat. If you are trying to cut calories or fat, this is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. You can lighten things up by using low-fat mayo, Miracle Whip, Greek yogurt, or a combination of these. As a matter of fact, using two parts mayo and one part Greek yogurt creates a creamy texture with a little tangy flavor.
  • Lemon juice- Lemon is used for flavor but also, the acid helps to cut back on the heavy taste of the mayo. It’s a must-use ingredient in my opinion.
  • Black pepper  – Just like any other recipe that calls for it, the addition of salt and pepper is a matter of personal preference. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, taste, then add more if it’s needed.
  • Salt (optional)

chunks of cooked chicken, chopped celery, and mayo in a glass bowl

 

simple chicken salad sandwich

Other delicious salad recipes to try:

cubes of white meat chicken and celery combined with mayonnaise in a bowl

bowl of classic chicken salad
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Best Chicken Salad Recipe

By: Jen CIncyshopper
My best chicken salad recipe is simple in ingredients but the chicken flavor is the star. With the perfect blend of tender chicken, celery, and creamy dressing, it’s great to use in sandwiches and appetizers. 
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 1 minute
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 2 cup cooked Chicken, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped Celery
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise, I use Duke's
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.
  • Stir until well mixed and evenly coated.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 64mg, Sodium: 240mg, Potassium: 193mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 104IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

chicken salad photo collage

the best chicken salad served in a blue bowl

titled image (and shown): simple chicken salad (shown as a sandwich)

About Jen Cincyshopper

A lover of food and frugal living. A wife to a wonderful hubby, momma to 5 fun kiddos. Welcome to my blog. You will find REAL TASTY RECIPES. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media, to never miss a recipe.

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3 Comments

    1. Hi Linda! Yes, grapes are a great addition to this so easy Chicken Salad. I hope you enjoyed. Be sure to leave a star rating if you have a chance:) Hope you have a wonderful weekend.