This classic Chicken Salad is flavorful, packed with protein, and SO easy to make with just 5 ingredients. It’s the perfect meal-prep recipe and a favorite for sandwiches!
Everyone needs a good, basic Chicken Salad in their collection of go-to recipes.
It’s a staple in our fridge that I make so often that I don’t even have to think about it. I can make this recipe in 10 minutes (even faster with rotisserie chicken) and have meals for the week ready.
This delicious chicken salad is our favorite for quick lunches, but I also reach for it when I need a healthy snack.
This recipe is full of lean protein from the chicken with the perfect amount of crunch from the onion and celery. Then, the homemade mayo and Dijon mustard create the creamiest texture.
It’s such a good basic recipe to have on hand and very easy to modify with fruit, nuts, or fresh herbs. I know you’re going to love it, so let’s get started!
Chicken Salad Ingredients
Chicken — I am using diced chicken breast (boneless, skinless) here, but shredded chicken or leftover grilled chicken are also good choices.
Mayonnaise — You can use your favorite store-bought mayo, but it only takes 1 minute to whip up my homemade mayonnaise! You can also substitute Greek yogurt to reduce the calories.
Veggies — Diced celery and red onion for texture, color, and a fresh bite. If you don’t like raw onions, you could use scallions or chives instead.
Dijon mustard — A little Dijon adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
Seasonings — Salt and black pepper to taste. You can also add some onion powder and garlic powder for extra flavor.
Time-Saving Tip!
Use a rotisserie chicken to save yourself some time. I find it’s much easier to remove the meat while the chicken is still hot. Then, you can either chop it into small cubes or shred it, and you’re ready to make chicken salad!
Optional Add-Ins
Fruit: Sliced red grapes, diced apples, cherries and dried cranberries add a nice sweetness and pop of color to the chicken salad.
Nuts: For more texture and crunch, try adding chopped walnuts, almonds or pecans. You can toast them to release more flavor.
Herbs: If you have fresh herbs on hand, I highly recommend adding them in. This recipe is especially great with fresh parsley, thyme, fresh dill, basil, green onions or even tarragon.
How To Make This Chicken Salad Recipe
- Add the chicken salad ingredients to a large bowl.
- Mix until everything is evenly combined.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken salad in the refrigerator to chill for about 20 minutes and then it’ll be ready to serve.
- Enjoy it as-is, with crackers, or on a sandwich!
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- Be sure to season your chicken when you cook it. This will give the chicken salad a nice flavorful base.
- Chicken salad is best served cold, so let it chill in the fridge for a while before serving.
- If your chicken salad seems dry, just add a little more mayo until it’s nice and creamy. You can also do a mix of mayo and Greek yogurt.
Storage & Meal Prep
You can keep homemade chicken salad in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. Store it in an airtight container or a good meal prep container to keep it as fresh as possible.
As for meal prep ideas, my go-to is a chicken salad “plate.” I use containers with sections for meal prep. I put chicken salad in one side and fresh fruit, crackers, and veggies in the other sections. You can also pack bread or pita to make a sandwich on the go.
How To Serve Chicken Salad
Sandwich: Use a scoop of chicken salad for quick, healthy sandwiches that you can load up with veggies like tomatoes, spinach, or microgreens.
Lettuce Wraps: Swap the bread for greens and make a low-carb lettuce wrap.
Salad: Add a scoop to your favorite salad for extra protein to keep you full.
Crackers: Keep it simple with your favorite crackers on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t recommend freezing this quick and easy chicken salad since it’s mayonnaise-based, which means it will separate when it thaws.
You certainly can! Instead of using mayonnaise with eggs, try using Greek yogurt, vegan yogurt, or avocado instead. Just keep in mind that avocado chicken salad won’t last as long in the fridge before it starts oxidizing.
Yes, you can use chicken tenders to make chicken salad. Cook the chicken tenders by baking, grilling, or sautéing. Then, in a large bowl add the chicken with the salad ingredients (mayo, celery and onions) and seasoning to make a tasty homemade chicken salad.
Classic Salad Recipes
Chicken Salad Recipe
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Ingredients
- 13 ounces cooked chicken breast finely chopped
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup celery chopped
- 1/3 cup red onion diced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the chicken, celery, red onion, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard in a bowl.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve chilled, on its own, with lettuce, or in a sandwich.
Tips
- Fully cooked chicken breasts have an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Add other spices, like garlic powder or Italian seasonings for more flavor.
- If you’re using chicken salad for meal prep, keep it chilled throughout the day so it stays fresh.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Olivia Ribas says