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Home ยป Main Dishes ยป Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken Salad Recipe

Published: Mar 20, 2020 ยท Modified: May 25, 2021 by Justin Coit

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If you need a quick and simple Chicken Salad Recipe for a potluck, barbeque, picnic, or lunch for yourself, then this recipe is for you! It is a classic recipe that works for any occasion and only requires 10 simple ingredients. This recipe comes together quickly and it tastes so much better than the store-bought version.

A bowl of chicken salad beside a striped linen, pecans, and a cutting board with bread and lemon wedges on it.
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Pinterest graphic of a bowl of chicken salad containing chicken, pecans, celery, and red onions.
Pinterest graphic of chicken salad on top of lettuce on a slice of bread.
Pinterest graphic of a slice of bread with lettuce and chicken salad on top.
Pinterest graphic of a fork lifting up a bite of chicken salad from a bowl.
Pinterest graphic of a fork holding up a bite of chicken salad.
Pinterest graphic of a bowl of chicken salad beside a cutting board with lemon wedges and slices of bread.

This chicken salad recipe is our go-to summer version of comfort food. It always hits the spot and if you already have chicken prepared, this becomes a no-cook recipe! You can skip heating up the kitchen with your stove and cool down with this chilled chicken salad!

Itโ€™s a great make-ahead recipe and you can turn it into filling for a sandwich, lettuce wrap, stuff it in pita bread, or use it in a tortilla wrap. Youโ€™ll love how versatile it is to have in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week.

Key Ingredients You Need

Ingredients needed to make chicken salad.
  • Chicken โ€” To save time, buy a rotisserie chicken beforehand to save you from having to cook your own protein. You can use the rest of the meat for other meals during the week and save the carcass to make your own stock.
  • Mayonnaise โ€” You are welcome to swap for light mayo if you prefer, just be sure to use a high-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor.
  • Greek yogurt โ€” To help lighten things up, we mix in some Greek yogurt. It is high in protein while being low in calories compared to mayo. If you prefer to use a low-fat version, you are welcome to swap. Just be sure to get plain and not flavored yogurt. 

How to Make Chicken Salad

Set of two photos showing chicken being cut into cubes and red onion being diced.

Step 1: Cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Chop the onions into small pieces.

Set of two photos showing celery being chopped and pecans being chopped.

Step 3: Chop the celery into small pieces.

Step 4: Chop the pecans.

Set of two photos showing mayo and Greek yogurt being mixed and chicken salad ingredients being mixed in a bowl

Step 5: Measure out the mayo and Greek yogurt.

Step 6: Add everything into a bowl and mix until combined.

Chicken salad on top of a piece of toast with lettuce in-between with a bowl, bread, lemon wedge, and pecans beside it.

Tips For This Recipe

  • Make sure you cut everything into small pieces so that every spoonful has a little bit of everything.
  • Top with some fresh herbs for an extra pop of color and flavor.
  • If youโ€™re out of chicken and have leftover turkey, it makes for the perfect swap!
  • If you are using a rotisserie chicken, be sure to remove the skin before cutting up the meat.
  • I suggest using freshly squeezed lemon juice as bottled juice doesnโ€™t have the same fresh, bright flavor.
  • Feel free to swap the pecans out for almonds or walnuts.
  • Sweet onions or green onions can be used in place of red onions.
  • Add a pinch of curry powder to change things up.
A bowl with chicken salad being lifted out with a fork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chicken salad healthy?

Everyoneโ€™s definition of healthy is different. However, I would say this is healthy as we use nutritious protein-packed ingredients. You can make this even healthier by adding in additional fruits and vegetables of your choice such as seedless grapes, apples, peppers, cucumbers, or carrots.ย 

There's a misconception that mayonnaise isn't healthy. Mayo is simply a mixture of oil, egg yolks, lemon juice or vinegar, and seasonings. The big caveat here is that you need to make sure to find a mayo at the store that is not highly processed and loaded with low-quality oils. My favorite clean mayo is Primal Kitchen Mayo with Avocado Oil.

Can I make this ahead of time? How long does chicken salad last?

You can definitely make this recipe ahead of time. It actually tastes better the next day once itโ€™s had extra time to chill in the fridge. Be sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge and it should last for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze this?

You should not freeze this recipe as it will not hold up well when you thaw it. It will be on the runny side after thawing. However, you can always cook your chicken ahead of time to freeze. This way all you have to do is thaw the meat and chop the ingredients before mixing.

What can I serve with this?

While this can be a standalone meal, these sides go great with it: Kale Chips, Sweet Potato and Kale Salad, Mexican Watermelon Salad, and Grilled Romaine Heart Summer Salad.


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If youโ€™ve tried this Chicken Salad Recipe then donโ€™t forget to leave me a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!

Close up of a bowl of chicken salad on a marble surface.
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Chicken Salad

If you need a quick and simple recipe for a potluck, barbecue, picnic, or lunch for yourself, you need to make this Chicken Salad! It is a classic recipe that works for any occasion and only requires 10 simple ingredients. This recipe comes together quickly and it tastes so much better than the store-bought version.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 276kcal
Author: Justin Coit

Ingredients

  • ยฝ lb cooked chicken optional to use rotisserie chicken, chopped
  • โ…“ cup mayonnaise
  • ยผ cup Greek Yogurt
  • ยผ cup pecans chopped
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 2 tbsp red onion diced
  • 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Put all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well until everything is combined.

Video

Notes

  • Make sure you cut everything into small pieces so that every spoonful has a little bit of everything.
  • Top with some fresh herbs for an extra pop of color and flavor.
  • If youโ€™re out of chicken and have leftover turkey, it makes for the perfect swap!
  • If you are using a rotisserie chicken, be sure to remove the skin before cutting up the meat.
  • I suggest using freshly squeezed lemon juice as bottled juice doesnโ€™t have the same fresh bright flavor to it.
  • Feel free to swap the pecans out for almonds or walnuts.
  • Sweet onions or green onions can be swapped for red onions.
  • Add a pinch of curry powder to change things up.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
*Nutrition Disclaimer
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Hi, Iโ€™m Justin. By day I'm a commercial director and photographer but in my free time, I make deliciously clean comfort food for my family and friends.

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