This Classic Chicken Salad is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with diced chicken and minced celery. It’s the perfect classic lunch, ready in about 10 minutes.
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients
- 1 cup diced chicken, cooked and cooled
- 1 heaping tablespoon minced red onion
- 1 heaping tablespoon minced celery
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Dash of hot sauce
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
How To Make Classic Chicken Salad
- Combine all ingredients: In a medium bowl, place the diced chicken, minced red onion, minced celery, chopped parsley, fresh lemon juice, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and a dash of hot sauce.
- Mix and season: Stir everything together until it is well combined. Season to taste with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper.
Recipe Tips
- What’s the best chicken for chicken salad? Leftover rotisserie chicken is a fantastic and flavorful shortcut! You can also use poached chicken breasts that have been cooled and diced. The key is to use cold chicken for the best texture.
- How can I add more flavor and texture? This is a great base recipe. For a sweet and crunchy addition, fold in some halved red grapes and toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts.
- How do I keep my chicken salad from being watery? Make sure your cooked chicken is completely cooled and patted dry before you dice it. Using cold ingredients and not letting the salad sit out for too long also helps maintain its creamy consistency.
- Can I make it ahead of time? Yes. While it’s best served fresh, you can make the chicken salad a few hours ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before serving.
What To Serve With Classic Chicken Salad
This is a wonderfully versatile dish perfect for a quick and easy meal. Serve it:
- As a classic sandwich on whole-grain bread, soft white bread, or a buttery croissant.
- Spooned over a bed of fresh mixed greens or crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter option.
- As an appetizer or snack with your favorite crackers for dipping.
- Rolled in a tortilla and sliced into pinwheels for a party.
How To Store Classic Chicken Salad
- Refrigerate: Leftover chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- Do Not Leave Out: Like other mayonnaise-dressed salads, chicken salad should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours, as it can be prone to bacteria growth.
Classic Chicken Salad Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/2 of recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, absolutely. For a lighter, tangier version with more protein, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise.
You can either cut the cooked chicken breast into small, uniform cubes for a classic texture, or you can use two forks to shred the chicken for a different style of salad. Both methods are delicious.
The celery and red onion provide a great base crunch. For even more texture, try adding finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds to the mix.
Try More Recipes:
- Martha Stewart’s Favorite Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe
- Steak-and-Avocado Sandwich Recipe
- Rustic Croque Monsieur Recipe
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
Description
A simple, timeless recipe for a creamy and savory chicken salad, perfect for sandwiches, salads, or wraps.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place all ingredients—chicken, onion, celery, parsley, lemon juice, mayonnaise, mustard, and hot sauce—in a medium bowl.
- Stir everything together until it is thoroughly combined.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to use.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to use cold, pre-cooked chicken for the best texture and food safety.
- For extra flavor and a classic sweet crunch, feel free to add a handful of halved red grapes or toasted chopped pecans.
- Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper; proper seasoning is key to a delicious chicken salad.
- This salad is best made fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.