Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

This chicken salad recipe is one of those easy lunch recipes that always comes in handy. It’s a favorite for a reason, making a delicious option for a quick lunch or light dinner, whether you serve it as a creamy salad, tuck it into a homemade sandwich, or roll it up in a wrap.

With chicken, mayonnaise, a few simple add-ins, and just the right seasonings, it comes together into a classic chicken salad that’s creamy, flavorful, and easy to make your own. It has that familiar, comforting feel that never really goes out of style.

Rotisserie chicken is a great choice here and one of the easiest ways to make it, but leftover chicken of almost any kind works beautifully too, including grilled chicken. If you’re using canned chicken, simply mix everything else together first, then gently fold in the drained chicken at the end to keep the texture nice and tender.

For a classic version, celery adds that perfect bit of crunch while green onion brings in a little extra flavor. The mayonnaise gives it that creamy texture you want, and the simple seasonings keep everything balanced without overpowering the chicken.

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Fresh dill or other herbs can add a nice twist, and if you want to lighten it up a bit, swapping half of the mayo for Greek yogurt is an easy option.

You can also change the flavor with a little ranch dressing, or dress it up with extras like chopped apples, grapes, or crunchy nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans. It’s a classic base recipe that’s simple, versatile, and easy to make exactly how you like it.

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

This chicken salad recipe is one of those easy lunch recipes that always comes in handy. It’s a favorite for a reason, making a delicious option for a quick lunch or light dinner, whether you serve it as a creamy salad, tuck it into a homemade sandwich, or roll it up in a wrap.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chopped chicken 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

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, celery, green onion, mustard, salt, pepper, and dill, if using.
  2. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
  3. Taste and adjust with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  4. Serve as a sandwich, in a wrap, or over salad.

Notes

Recipe Variations

  • If desired, you can replace the green onion with chopped chives or finely diced red onion for a slightly different flavor.

Optional add-ins:

  • For a touch of sweetness, mix in 1 cup of chopped red grapes or 1 cup of chopped peeled apple.
  • For extra crunch, add 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans or almonds.

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