Classic Chicken Salad Recipe: Crispy & Fresh

Chicken salad brings comfort to countless lunch tables with its creamy, satisfying blend of flavors and textures.

Tender, protein-packed meat mingles beautifully with crisp additions that elevate this classic dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Generations of home cooks have perfected their unique approaches to crafting this beloved culinary staple.

Simple ingredients elevate into something magical when combined with thoughtful technique and a dash of creativity.

Balanced nutrition meets pure deliciousness in this timeless recipe that appeals to multiple age groups.

Families gather around, eagerly anticipating each refreshing, wholesome bite of this crowd-pleasing meal.

Crafting the perfect chicken salad requires minimal effort but promises maximum satisfaction.

Why Classic Chicken Salad Is Always in Style

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This classic chicken salad delivers a luxurious, smooth texture that wraps your taste buds in pure comfort, blending mayo's richness with tender, perfectly cooked chicken.
• Quick and Versatile Delight: Whip up this recipe in mere minutes, transforming simple ingredients into a flexible dish that shines as a sandwich filling, salad topper, or cracker companion for any meal or snack.
• Fresh Flavor Explosion: Bright lemon juice and zesty Dijon mustard wake up the mild chicken, while crisp celery and green onions add delightful crunch and a garden-fresh zing that makes every bite exciting and balanced.
• No-Fuss Culinary Magic: Requiring zero complicated techniques, this recipe invites home cooks of all skill levels to create a delicious meal with basic ingredients and simple stirring, promising foolproof success every single time.

Ingredients for Your Classic Chicken Salad

• Chicken: Tender, cooked protein that forms the heart of the salad, best when shredded or diced from a freshly roasted or rotisserie chicken.

• Mayonnaise: Smooth, rich base that helps bind ingredients together, choose full-fat version for best flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment that adds depth and subtle kick to the salad.

• Celery, Red Onion (or Shallots), Green Onions (or Chives): Crisp vegetables that provide texture and sharp, fresh flavor, select fresh and crunchy produce for maximum taste.

• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic component that adds freshness and helps balance the richness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance and round out the overall flavor profile of the chicken salad.

How to Mix Up the Perfect Chicken Salad

Step 1: Mix Flavor-Packed Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your chopped chicken with creamy mayonnaise, crisp diced celery, zesty red onion, and fragrant green onions.

Step 2: Create Tangy Dressing

Drizzle in tangy Dijon mustard and squeeze fresh lemon juice into the mixture.

Step 3: Season with Precision

Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.

Step 4: Blend and Harmonize

Stir all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring every morsel is coated with creamy, zesty goodness.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust

Sample your creation and fine-tune seasonings with additional salt or pepper if desired.

Step 6: Chill or Serve Immediately

Enjoy right away or refrigerate to let flavors meld together perfectly.

Tips for Great Chicken Salad Texture and Flavor

• Shred Chicken Perfectly: Use two forks to pull apart cooked chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces for a consistent texture and better flavor distribution.
• Control Moisture Balance: Add mayonnaise gradually to prevent the salad from becoming too wet or runny, ensuring a creamy yet structured consistency.
• Enhance Crunch Factor: Dice celery and onions into small, consistent pieces to provide a satisfying crisp texture without overwhelming the chicken.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
• Customize with Creativity: Experiment with additional herbs like fresh dill or tarragon, or add a pinch of smoked paprika for an unexpected flavor twist.

How to Store and Serve Chicken Salad Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep it chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacteria growth.
• Avoid Freezing: Mayonnaise-based salads don't freeze well, as the ingredients separate and lose their creamy texture when thawed. Best to enjoy within a few days of preparation.
• Reheating: For best results, consume chicken salad cold. If needed, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off and enhance flavor.

Go-To Pairings for Chicken Salad Meals

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the creamy chicken salad's tangy flavors and cuts through its richness.
• Serve with Crunchy Accompaniments: Select whole grain crackers, toasted sourdough bread, or butter lettuce leaves to add textural contrast and enhance the salad's creamy consistency.
• Match with Fresh Summer Sides: Combine the chicken salad with a light cucumber salad, pickled vegetables, or a zesty coleslaw to balance the dish's creamy profile and add bright, fresh notes.
• Create a Balanced Lunch Plate: Add a small handful of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette alongside the chicken salad to create a complete, nutritious meal with varied flavors and textures.

Ways to Remix the Classic Chicken Salad

• Mediterranean Chicken Salad: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, add crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, kalamata olives, and fresh oregano for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Curry Chicken Salad: Mix in mild curry powder, golden raisins, sliced almonds, and a touch of honey for a sweet and spicy flavor profile that adds exciting depth to the classic recipe.
• Herb-Packed Chicken Salad: Incorporate fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and tarragon for a vibrant green color and bright, aromatic taste that elevates the traditional chicken salad experience.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad: Blend in diced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, a dash of cumin, and replace Dijon mustard with chipotle sauce to create a bold, southwestern-style chicken salad with a kick.

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Nostalgic chicken salad brings pure comfort from grandmother’s kitchen to modern tables. Creamy mayonnaise, tender chicken, crisp celery, and subtle herbs create a timeless dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960 ml) chicken, cooked and shredded or diced
• 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• ½ cup (120 ml) celery, diced
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) red onion or shallots, diced
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) green onions or chives, sliced

Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper

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Instructions

1. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized, tender pieces using two forks, ensuring an even texture for a smooth, cohesive salad mixture.
2. Finely dice the celery and red onion into uniform, small cubes to distribute a crisp, fresh crunch throughout the protein-rich base.
3. Chop the green onions into delicate, thin rounds, releasing their mild, aromatic essence into the creamy blend.
4. In a spacious mixing vessel, combine the chicken, freshly chopped vegetables, and aromatic herbs with a generous dollop of mayonnaise.
5. Drizzle Dijon mustard and a splash of zesty lemon juice over the ingredients, introducing a tangy brightness to the classic preparation.
6. Season the mixture with a precise pinch of salt and a graceful sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
7. Gently fold and stir the components using a silky folding motion, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated and harmoniously integrated.
8. Taste the salad and make nuanced adjustments to the seasoning, allowing the individual flavors to dance and complement each other.
9. Serve immediately on soft bread, crisp greens, or alongside crunchy crackers, or refrigerate to let the flavors meld and intensify.

Notes

• Customize the texture by adjusting mayonnaise for a creamier or lighter salad.
• Leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken works perfectly, making this a quick weeknight meal.
• Chop ingredients finely for the best bite and even distribution of flavors.
• Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and enhance overall taste.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days for maximum freshness.
• Use this versatile recipe as a base and experiment with additional herbs or nuts for extra crunch and flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg