Quick Summary
This classic Chicken Salad recipe is easy to make and always a favorite. It’s made with chopped chicken that is tossed in a creamy dressing with celery, onion, pecans, and fresh herbs. This recipe is easy to customize and makes a great light lunch or dinner!
Chicken Salad is a CLASSIC salad recipe that is always a crowd pleaser.
The salad is easy to make and a great recipe to make when you have leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken. To make the salad, toss chopped cooked chicken in a creamy dressing with celery, onion, pecans, and fresh herbs. This recipe is very traditional, but I also share ways on how you can customize it to your liking.
It is the perfect salad for potlucks, picnics, baby showers, bridal showers, and parties. This protein packed salad is also a great meal prep recipe and can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner.
You can serve the salad on a croissant, in lettuce cups, in a wrap, on toast, with crackers, or on a bed of greens. This salad is very versatile. Everyone NEEDS this chicken salad recipe. It’s a staple!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Chicken– chopped chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken. This is a great recipe for when you have leftover chicken to use up.
- Celery– for a nice crunch!
- Red onion– for flavor and a pop of color.
- Pecans– they add a nice salty crunch! You can toast the pecans for an extra nutty flavor.
- Mayonnaise– use your favorite mayonnaise. You can use regular, light, or mayo made with avocado oil or olive oil.
- Greek yogurt– I like to use mayonnaise AND plain Greek yogurt for extra protein. Plus, the Greek yogurt adds a creamy tang, that is nice combined with the mayo. Sour cream will also work if you don’t have plain Greek yogurt.
- Lemon juice– to brighten up the salad.
- Dijon mustard– a little Dijon adds a tangy, sharp kick!
- Parsley– so fresh!
How to Make Chicken Salad
- Add the chicken, celery, red onion, nuts, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, parsley, salt, and pepper to a large bowl.
- Mix until well combined.
- Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
Variations
Chicken salad is very versatile. You can easily customize the recipe by adding in different ingredients.
Here are a few ideas for mixing it up!
- Instead of chopped pecans add slivered almonds. You can also omit the nuts if you are allergic or don’t care for them.
- Stir in dried cranberries, chopped grapes, or chopped apples for a little sweetness.
- Sprinkle in some capers for a salty kick.
- Mix up the herbs! Dill, tarragon, and chives are great options.
- Stir in some chopped pickled red onions instead of regular onions. Green onions also work well.
- Add chopped up pickles for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken salad can be enjoyed plain, right out of the bowl, but here are some ideas on how to serve it!
- Serve in between two slices of bread or stuff in a croissant or pita pocket to make a sandwich. Feel free to add lettuce, tomato slices, or sprouts.
- Serve in lettuce cups to make chicken salad lettuce wraps!
- Spread on a tortilla and roll it up to make a wrap!
- Serve with crackers or chips and enjoy it as a dip!
- Spread on top of a rice cake.
- Top a bed of greens with the salad and add your favorite salad toppings to make a delicious salad!
- For a snack, top cucumber slices or stuff mini peppers with chicken salad.
How to Store
Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Chicken salad does not freeze well because it contains mayonnaise.
More Salad Recipes
- Pesto Chicken Salad
- Easy Chickpea Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Curried Chickpea Salad
- Chipotle Chickpea Corn Salad
- Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, red onion, nuts, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, parsley, salt, and pepper. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Serve on a croissant, bread, over greens, in a wrap, in a lettuce cup, or eat with crackers.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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I love this classic salad!
Does Greek Yogurt have to be used?
You can use all mayo!
Can I sub. sour cream for the yogurt? Thank you!
Yes!