The Best Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

Published on: November 20, 2025

Overhead view of a creamy chicken salad bowl with celery and herbs, photographed on a bright white modern background.

Searching for the perfect chicken salad recipe that is both simple and packed with flavor? Look no further! This classic chicken salad is a timeless favorite, renowned for its creamy texture and versatile appeal. It is incredibly easy to make, serving as a fantastic lunch, quick dinner, or a delightful party appetizer. Get ready to enjoy a perfect, creamy, and undeniably delicious chicken salad every single time.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Salad

You are going to adore this easy chicken salad recipe for so many reasons. It truly makes mealtime a breeze for busy parents and beginners.

Quick and Easy: Prepare this delicious salad in just minutes with minimal fuss.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch at the start of the week for effortless lunches.
Highly Customizable: Easily adjust ingredients to suit your family’s preferences and dietary needs.
Comforting and Satisfying: This creamy classic offers a delightful texture and rich flavor.
Versatile Serving: Enjoy it in sandwiches, wraps, on crackers, or simply with a fork.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your next favorite chicken salad recipe. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture.

2 cups cooked chopped or shredded chicken
½ cup mayonnaise
1 rib celery, diced
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt, more to taste
⅛ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or ¼ teaspoon dried dill, optional

Notes & Substitutions

The star of this chicken salad recipe is the chicken, and you have options! Use leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience, or even canned chicken for a super speedy meal. Baked or poached chicken breasts also work wonderfully. For a lighter dressing, swap half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. If you don’t have fresh dill, dried dill works, or try other fresh herbs like chives or parsley. Adjust seasoned salt and pepper to your personal taste, adding a pinch more for extra zing.

Equipment

You only need a few basic tools to whip up this easy chicken salad recipe.

Medium mixing bowl
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Spoon or spatula for mixing

Instructions

Making this easy chicken salad recipe is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps to create a wonderfully creamy and flavorful dish.

Prepare the Chicken: Ensure your chicken is fully cooked and cooled. Shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces, aiming for a consistent texture. If using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and bones, then shred the meat.
Chop Add-ins: Dice the celery finely and thinly slice the green onion. Fine chopping helps to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the salad.
Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, add the prepared chicken, diced celery, and thinly sliced green onion.
Mix the Dressing: To the same bowl, add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, seasoned salt, black pepper, and optional fresh or dried dill.
Fold Together: Use a spoon or spatula to gently mix all the ingredients until everything is well combined and the chicken is evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the chicken tough.
Chill (Optional, but Recommended): For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, taste the chicken salad and add additional seasoned salt or black pepper if desired. You can also add a touch more mayonnaise for extra creaminess.

Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Salad

Chill Time is Key: Do not skip the chilling step! Letting the salad rest in the fridge allows the flavors to deepen and meld, creating a much more delicious result.
Texture Matters: For a classic experience, aim for a mix of shredded and finely diced chicken. This provides an interesting texture that is neither too chunky nor too mushy.
Quality Mayonnaise: Use your favorite high-quality mayonnaise. It forms the base of the dressing, so a good mayo makes a big difference in the overall taste and creaminess.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your chicken salad before serving. Everyone’s preferences for salt, pepper, and tang vary, so adjust seasonings as needed for your perfect bite.

Troubleshooting Common Mistakes

Watery Chicken Salad: If your chicken salad is watery, it might be due to excess moisture from the chicken or vegetables. Ensure chicken is well-drained and pat any high-water content vegetables dry after chopping.
Bland Flavor: Is your chicken salad lacking zing? Add a bit more salt, a dash of onion powder, garlic powder, or a squeeze of lemon juice. A touch more Dijon mustard can also brighten the flavors.
Overly Chunky or Mushy Textures: If it is too chunky, chop the chicken and celery into smaller, more uniform pieces. If it is too mushy, you might have overmixed it or used very finely shredded chicken. Aim for a balance of textures.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serving Suggestions

This versatile chicken salad recipe offers countless ways to enjoy it. Pile it high on slices of toasted sourdough, a fresh croissant, or soft white bread for a classic sandwich. For a lighter option, serve scoops over a bed of crisp lettuce greens or in crunchy lettuce cups. It also makes a fantastic filling for wraps, pita bread, or hollowed-out tomatoes. Don’t forget to offer it with an array of crackers for an easy snack or appetizer.

Storage & Make Ahead

Prepared chicken salad stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. This makes it an excellent choice for meal prepping lunches throughout the week. While the cooked chicken can be frozen for later use, we do not recommend freezing the prepared chicken salad with mayonnaise, as the emulsion can break upon thawing, leading to a separated, undesirable texture. Always prepare the full salad fresh.

Delicious Variations & Add-ins

Get creative with your chicken salad recipe by adding extra ingredients. For a touch of sweetness and crunch, stir in some red or green grapes, diced apples, or dried cranberries. Toasted pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds add a wonderful nutty flavor and texture. Experiment with other vegetables like finely diced red onion, bell pepper, or even corn kernels. A sprinkle of paprika, curry powder, or a dash of hot sauce can also transform the flavor profile.

Nutrition

Enjoy this satisfying and flavorful chicken salad recipe knowing its estimated nutritional values.

Name	Value
Calories	206 kcal
Carbohydrates	1 g
Protein	15 g
Fat	16 g
Saturated Fat	3 g
Cholesterol	48 mg
Sodium	362 mg
Potassium	137 mg
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	1 g
Vitamin A	72 IU
Vitamin C	1 mg
Calcium	10 mg
Iron	1 mg

Nutrition information is an estimate based on ingredients used and serving size. Values may vary depending on specific brands and preparation methods.

FAQ

How long does chicken salad last?
Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, chicken salad typically lasts for 3 to 5 days. Always ensure it smells fresh before consuming.

According to food safety guidelines, chicken salad should be consumed within 3-4 days when stored in the fridge to avoid spoilage.

What kind of chicken is best for this chicken salad recipe?
Cooked chicken, whether it is shredded rotisserie chicken, baked chicken breast, or leftover roasted chicken, works perfectly. Use what you have on hand!

Can I use canned chicken for this recipe?
Yes, absolutely! Canned chicken is a convenient option for this easy chicken salad recipe. Just make sure to drain it very well before mixing.

What can I serve with chicken salad?
Chicken salad is fantastic on sandwiches, in wraps, over a bed of fresh greens, or with crackers. It also pairs well with fresh fruit or a side of potato chips.

Can chicken salad be frozen?
It is not recommended to freeze prepared chicken salad due to the mayonnaise. The texture can become watery and separated upon thawing.

Conclusion

This classic chicken salad recipe proves that simple ingredients can create truly extraordinary flavors. It is a fantastic option for quick lunches, easy dinners, or as a delightful side dish for gatherings. With its creamy texture, fresh ingredients, and incredible versatility, you will find yourself returning to this recipe again and again. Give it a try and discover how easy and delicious homemade chicken salad can be!