The best-ever Chicken Salad recipe, perfect for lunch, on-the-go, or hosting! It’s the ultimate make-ahead meal that gets more flavorful with time!
My Favorite Chicken Salad Recipe
I’m a total Chicken Salad lover, and I think this is the best recipe out there. I’ve tried so many, and this one always wins. It’s the best! I’m so excited to share it today.
A few reasons I love chicken salad:
- Party Hit: Make a big batch, pop it on mini croissants, and then watch it steal the show!
- Outdoor Fun: Perfect for picnics or camping. Just toss it in a cooler with some bread. So much better than a soggy PB&J!
- Super Easy: Quick to make and tastes so amazing.
- Gets Better: Let it chill—the flavors get even better. The perfect make-ahead meal!
Quick Tip
The secret to great chicken salad? Tender, flavorful chicken. Use a rotisserie chicken, shred 2 cups of meat, and save the rest for later to use here, here, or here!!
Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients
This chicken salad needs just four ingredients!
Salad
- Rotisserie chicken: This is the main ingredient! I like using rotisserie chicken because it’s already seasoned and very tender.
- Toasted pecans: Adds a crunch and nutty flavor. If you want extra flavor, try candied pecans!
- Dried cranberries: Brings a sweet burst of flavor and also a chewy texture.
- Celery: Adds a fresh, crunchy texture.
The dressing for this chicken salad recipe is also simple!
Dressing
- Mayo and sour cream: These make the dressing creamy and also give it a tangy flavor.
- Honey: Adds a little sweetness so it balances the tang.
- Dijon mustard: Gives a sharp flavor (make sure it’s Dijon, not yellow mustard).
- Poppy seeds: Adds a tiny crunch. If you don’t have or want them, you can skip them!
- Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, bright flavor.
Variations
Switch Things Up
Change up the typical chicken salad with one of these fun ideas instead:
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad: Mix chicken with red pepper, cilantro, green onions, avocado, and a chili-lime dressing.
- Pesto Chicken Salad: Combine chicken with roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, and creamy pesto.
- Healthy Chicken Salad: Mix chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, and cranberries in a light dressing.
- Curry Chicken Salad: Combine chicken with cashews, raisins, celery, and cilantro in a curried mayo dressing.
- Pineapple Chicken Salad: Mix chicken with pineapple, honey almonds, celery, and also red onion in a sweet and tangy dressing.
How To Make Chicken Salad Recipe
You can make this in 10-15 minutes and enjoy right away!
- Toast the Pecans: Heat in a dry pan until lightly browned. Set aside.
- Mix Ingredients: Then combine chicken, pecans, cranberries, and celery in a bowl.
- Make Dressing: Mix mayo, sour cream, honey, mustard, poppy seeds, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Stir and Adjust: Stir everything together and then adjust the seasoning.
- Serve: Enjoy with crackers, apples, or on a croissant with lettuce.
Storage
What To Do With Chicken Salad Recipe Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Put it in an airtight container, and it will stay good for 3-5 days.
- Freeze: This doesn’t freeze well; the mayo can get weird when thawed.
- Leftovers: Best served cold. Stir well before serving and add more salt if needed.
How To Serve Chicken Salad
- On Croissants: Use big croissants for lunch or small ones for snacks or an appetizer.
- As a Dip: Put the salad in a bowl with chips, veggies, or apple slices around it.
- On Apple Slices: Use apple slices instead of bread for a low-carb option.
- With Crackers: Serve with crackers for a quick snack.
- In Pita Bread: Fill pita bread for an easy meal.
- On a Salad: Put a scoop on greens or in lettuce leaves!
More Delicious Lunch Ideas
- Ham and Cheese Hoagies using deli ham
- BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe with mashed avocado
- Ham and Cheese Sliders with poppy seeds
- Cucumber Sandwich done in 20 minutes
- Bulgur Salad vegetarian!
Chicken Salad Recipe
This Chicken Salad Recipe is perfect for lunch, on-the-go, or hosting—an easy, make-ahead meal that gets even better with time!
Equipment
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken diced
- 1/2 cup pecans coarsely chopped, see note 1
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or try cherry-infused cranberries!
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced, 1/2 cup
- 1/4 cup mayo Hellman’s/Best Foods
- 2 tablespoons sour cream light works!
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Enjoy With
- Croissants or other sandwich rolls; add some lettuce for a sandwich
- Thinly sliced apples
- Celery
- Crackers like Wheat Thins!
Instructions
- Optional: Place pecans in a dry pan over medium heat. Toast until fragrant, stirring occasionally (keep an eye on them—they can burn fast). Set aside to cool then finely chop.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients listed under “Salad.” Season to taste. I start with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Stir gently until everything is well coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Dish it up with your choice of sides—great on a croissant with lettuce or served with apples, celery sticks, and crackers. Enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Feel free to swap out the pecans. Sliced almonds, chopped pistachios, or diced walnuts are all tasty options. You can also use honey-roasted pecans and skip the toasting!
Nutrition Note: Nutritional information is for Chicken Salad without bread or tossed salad.
Storage: Put leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge. Eat within 3–5 days. Check for any off smells or colors first—if something seems off, better safe than sorry—toss it!
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingg | Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious recipe! It has a ton of flavor, and just a tiny bit of sweetness from the honey… I made it exactly as the recipe stated, and it’s perfect! I’ll definitely be making this a lot! Thanks for the great recipe!
So thrilled to hear this! Thanks Shelly!
I made this chicken salad and it was very delicious. I brought this to a bridal shower potluck and lots of people are asking for the recipes. I did not add sour cream and poppy seeds as I don’t have it. I substituted Maple Syrup for honey and squeezed lemon on a macintosh apple and it made it more tangy. This is a hit. You’ll never go wrong if you make it.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Alyn!
I just made the chicken salad with my grandkids that are picky eaters, and we all like it. I will be making this again. Thank you!
Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks Lisa!
Can’t wait to try the chicken salad recipe! It sounds so wonderful and can be used in so many ways! Thanks for sending!!
I hope you love it Mary!
My husband loved this recipe will make again 5 stars
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Roberta!
Such nice flavor
Thanks Becky!
Excellent recipe. Chelsea ‘dialed it in’.
Awe you’re the best! Thanks Becky!
Do you know if I could use plain Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream without changing the flavor and texture significantly? Thank you.
Hey Patti, that should work great! Thanks!
Can you freeze this salad?
Chicken salad can be frozen, but I usually advise against it. The dairy doesn’t thaw well, and it won’t keep its same texture and flavor.
Awesome recipe! I want to see more!
I have several chicken salad recipes you’ll love! Just search chicken salad!
Just after making your chicken, delicious 😋
Thrilled to hear this! Thanks Margaret!