Chicken Salad Recipe

This classic Chicken Salad is taking the crown for the ultimate best in show!

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Everyone has an opinion on Chicken Salad, and everyone thinks theirs is the best. Whether you make it with Greek yogurt, avocado, or hummus, you’re unwavering in your stance that YOU have the best recipe for Chicken Salad out there.

Well, I’m here to tell you that I don’t care.

I’m sorry, but the endless feud over the Chicken Salad crown is more intense than Game of Thrones (if you swapped out the dragons for women named Karen, that is), and it’s completely ridiculous. I mean, who fights over chicken salad? It’s pointless.

That is, of course, because my recipe kicks all your recipes in the dragon eggs.

My chicken salad is simple, easy to make, and it’s oh-so-good for you! So, my condolences to my fellow FFF writers. I’m sure your recipes are delicious and nutritious, but mine is officially taking the throne.

Made with OG ingredients like celery, red onion, and *GASP!* actual mayonnaise, my recipe for Chicken Salad takes all the fluffy, foo-foo nonsense out of it and takes us back to the classic and iconic taste we all fell in love with.

Is Chicken Salad Healthy?

This chicken salad is super healthy, too! It uses lean chicken, fresh produce, and minimal ingredients to keep the recipe clean, low in calories, and versatile. You can easily make the dish dairy-free by swapping the mayo for Greek Yogurt or another alternative, and you can customize the taste and nutrient value by adding ingredients if you want to. But the point is you don’t have to because this recipe holds its own against its fancier competitors.

Back to Basics

The reason this recipe is so great is that it follows the original structure of chicken salad. Chicken salad has always been a popular homemade dish, dating back to the 19th century where it was especially popular in the South. While chicken salad has evolved into a cult classic dish with a million variations since then, I think it’s still best served simple, so I chose to only include a few staple ingredients in my take. As they say in the South: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

INGREDIENTS

2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/3 cup red onion, diced
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine

Mix chicken, celery, and onion in a bowl.

Dress

Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and seasonings.

Mix

Combine dressing with chicken mixture; adjust seasoning.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

You can prep your chicken salad and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is best served cold, so there is no need to heat it before serving.

WHAT TO ADD TO CHICKEN SALAD?

If you want to veer off the beaten path with your chicken salad, this recipe makes it easy to customize your mixture! Add seasonings like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, other veggies, or even fruits like grapes or nuts for a crunchy texture.

TRAVELING WITH CHICKEN SALAD

Chicken salad is great for potlucks or taking leftovers to lunch at work or school. If you’re traveling with your chicken salad, keep it cool with an ice pack or insulated lunch pail, and safely cover it so you don’t spill your mixture.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken salad is a delicious and refreshing base for sandwiches! Serve it on your favorite bread, bun, or even a croissant. For a healthier, lighter option, try serving your chicken salad in lettuce cups like these or over slices of cucumber or crackers.

Or honestly, just grab a fork and go in on this chicken salad by itself. It doesn’t really matter how you eat it. It’s the best, and you’re going to taste it!