One of my most favorite “grown-up” lunches to eat at home is chicken salad.
I love it on toasted bread, wrapped up in a tortilla, on a bed of lettuce, or even as a dip for crackers. I have a feeling I could eat it almost every single day without complaining (at least for a few weeks!)
That said, I’m the only one in my family who like chicken salad, so I often make up a small batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy this quick and easy lunch 2 to 3 times throughout the week.
It’s SO handy when I’m trying to refill sippy cups, scoop my strawberries, wipe sticky fingers, and clean up the lunch dishes every afternoon. I literally have no excuse not to sit for a least a minute or two and enjoy my already-prepared chicken salad.
I’m often asked for my “recipe” — but the trouble is, I’ve never really used a recipe to make my chicken salad. I just go by how it looks and how it tastes, then add more of something if I feel like it’s missing something.
So today, along with sharing my own personal favorite recipe for chicken salad, I’ll also share some basic guidelines for making chicken salad — which will hopefully enable you to find your own “perfect” recipe!
Make-it-Your-Way Chicken Salad:
The steps and guidelines below are written in the order I add the ingredients. I always end with the sauce and seasonings so I can add more or less depending on how many other ingredients I added.
I strongly encourage you to just play around with different ratios of ingredients to find the recipe you love best!
#1. THE CHICKEN:
I personally like using shredded chicken for my chicken salad — because I think it “sticks” to the sauce better and is easier to chew. However, any type of cooked chicken will work.
I often use leftover rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken, or just pull a little shredded chicken from the freezer. (Here’s a super simple tip to quickly shred large amounts of chicken!)
I’ve heard that a good rule-of-thumb is to use a 1/2 c. of shredded chicken per person — but in my opinion, that seems like A LOT of chicken. I like to add lots of extras so I probably lean more towards 1/4 c. of shredded chicken per person.
Either way, you definitely don’t want to forget the chicken!
#2. THE CRUNCH:
I LOVE the crunchy aspect of chicken salad, so I might add more crunch than most people… so again, just play around with it and see what you like best.
Celery, green onions, pecans, apples, and grapes are my favorite ways to add crunch — I often add all of them! I know some people who add pickles or pickle relish — but I can not stand the taste of pickles, so I never do this.
#3. THE SWEET:
Apples and grapes definitely add sweetness, but I love adding Craisins too. I’ve seen many recipes that include raisins and even pineapple with rave reviews.
#4. THE SAVORY:
I’m not sure if savory is the right word — but I liked how it fit with my other S labels below!
I like adding a hard boiled egg to my chicken salad — and I also always add a little shredded cheese. I know the cheese is not a “normal” ingredient for chicken salad, but I figure I can make it my way if I like!
#5. THE SAUCE:
I always use a mayo-based sauce, but I know other who use mostly sour cream, or even Greek yogurt to save on calories.
I also add in a little mustard — white Vinegar also helps loosen up a sauce that feels a bit too thick (although I prefer it thick).
#6. THE SEASONINGS:
Salt and pepper are obvious choices for adding a little seasoning at the end — but I always use just a little bit of sweet curry in my chicken salad recipe. It adds such great flavor!
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In my opinion, those are some of the “basics” of creating your own version of the perfect chicken salad… however, since I know many of you will want a step-by-step recipe to follow, I’ve included my own favorite recipe below.
Please note, I don’t actually measure any of these ingredients when I’m making my salad — I just keep dumping and mixing until it looks and tastes good to me! Also, I usually just add whatever ingredients I have on-hand, so I certainly don’t always make it exactly like it’s written below!
My Recipe for Chicken Salad
This is a smaller recipe that would most likely make 2 sandwiches or wraps.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 small pre-cooked chicken breast; shredded or chunked
- 1 stalk celery; diced
- 1/4 apple; shredded or diced
- 6-8 seedless grapes; quartered
- 1 green onion (or 1 T. diced onion)
- 2 T. pecans; roughly chopped
- 1 T. Craisins
- 1 hard boiled egg; chopped (not pictured)
- 1 T. shredded cheese
- 1/4 c. mayo
- 1 t. mustard
- 1/4 t. sweet curry (totally optional, but it adds GREAT flavor)
- salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, mix all “chunky” ingredients.
Add mayo, mustard, and any seasonings until it’s the consistency you like.
Taste-test and add more of anything you think necessary.
Eat and enjoy!
Like I mentioned above, chicken salad is one of my most favorite lunches. Not only is it delicious, it’s also so easy to make ahead with whatever ingredients I have on hand.
Here’s hoping my kids don’t discover how yummy it is so I can keep it all to myself 🙂
What’s your favorite chicken salad ingredient?
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Lori says
Love chicken salad! My fav is mayo, celery, and almonds on top of shredded lettuce! But I love a “loaded” chicken salad like yours as well! ❤️
Andrea says
Sounds delicious!
Lisa K. says
Hi Andrea – do you mind sharing where you find the sweet curry? My local grocer doesn’t seem to carry it. Thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Lisa,
I actually order the Sweet Curry online from Penzey’s Spice (you can get it on Amazon)
It lasts for a LONG time and really adds great flavor to so many foods!
Lisa K. says
Thank you!
Sarah says
This is definitely the best!! It’s been my go-to since you shared it a couple of years ago!
Andrea says
yay — so glad you have enjoyed this chicken salad recipe! I’ve made it dozens of times over the years — all just a little bit differently depending on what I have in the house!
Jennifer says
Growing up I hated chicken salad but in college I babysat for a family that made the best chicken salad. Her secret was using Greek yogurt. Other than that what I add is very similar to your recipe. People always ask for my recipe and are usually disappointed when I tell them I just add stuff until it looks right.
Andrea says
hmmm….I almost always have greek yogurt in the house too — I’ll need to try this next time. Thanks!
Katie says
I make my chicken salad with shredded chicken, crushed pineapple (no juice), almonds or pecans, mayo, salt and pepper. It’s amazing. Even my husband loves it and he doesn’t normally like that type of food. I was hoping you’d post a chicken salad recipe after reading your lunch post- thanks! It gives me some great ideas!
Andrea says
sounds simple — I might have to try the pineapple again!
Eileen says
Hi Andrea. This chicken salad looks amazing can it be made ahead of time and how long will it last in the fridge. Thanks love ur blog. Hi
Andrea says
YES! definitely make it ahead. I usually make a small batch at the beginning of the week and eat it 2 – 3 times during the week. I’m not an expert, but I feel fine leaving mine in the refrigerator (tightly sealed) for 4-6 days.
Chris says
The curry sounds interesting! This is one of my favorite things to eat.
Tuna, mayonnaise, cubed cheese, walnuts (toasted – optional), apples chopped small, craisins. It is absolutely delicious!
MC Martinez says
You would probably really like Coronation Chicken since you add curry powder to yours and it has the sweet fruity component as well. Lots of recipes for it online. We lived in England for a few years and it’s one of their classic dishes that’s really good. (Lots of good thinks about the UK, but traditional food is not always one of them.)
Andrea says
I’ll have to look it up. Thanks!
Lorrie says
Your food/meal photos are always so fresh and healthy-looking! (ALL your pictures are excellent… I really enjoy your family photos, and the various shots around your house and yard.)
That post from last week (or maybe the week before?) on your lunch ideas, I absolutely loved! I’ve gone back to that one several times, just to get meal inspiration! 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks Lorrie! and SO glad the lunch ideas have been helpful! Sometimes lunch is my least favorite meal of the day because it can get so boring! It’s nice to have simple options!
Anna says
I worked at a bistro during college where the chicken salad was made with pineapple, pecans, and ground ginger. It was so yummy!
Andrea says
yummmmmmm!!
Nancy says
Thanks for this, the timing is perfect! I had chicken salad at a deli recently and thought, “This tastes so much better than what I make.” So I’ve been meaning to try to make a new version at home. The deli version was made with pineapple and I can affirm that it was delicious.
Andrea says
pineapple is good — I just usually don’t have small quantities of it ready to go for chicken salad. In my opinion, canned pineapple is better than fresh — the crushed kind so it’s nice and small.
Julie says
I love chicken salad too! My favorite right now is mashed avocado for the “sauce” and diced cucumber for the crunch (I love crunch but not a huge fan of celery). Sometimes I’ll add black beans & salsa to change it up too.
Andrea says
wow, I’ve never considered avocado as the sauce. I have added it in chunks to the mixture or sliced on top of the bread, but never as the sauce.
Michelle says
Instead of mayonnaise I like to use Miracle Whip salad dressing and add a little minced onion. If I don’t use celery I’ll add celery seed. I definitely like a little pickle or dill relish added in as well. Your recipe sounds delish will the addition of sweet…I think I may try it.
I have leftover rotisserie chicken from dinner last night. I think I’m going to go mix up a small batch of chicken salad for breakfast. Hey why not, right?
Andrea says
Sweet is an amazing addition to chicken salad. It’s how they make it at Panera Bread — so you know it has to be good 🙂
Jane says
I add walnuts or pecans for the crunch. My husband and kids will eat chicken salad if it is only chicken and mayo. So I make my own bowl separate, and I can eat it with a spoon if necessary 🙂
I’m going to have to try the sweet curry.
I’m so glad you have always provided a step by step with measurements for those who prefer it, yet encourage us to just experiment.
Andrea says
Thanks Jane — always trying to make it simple for readers!! And yes, the sweet curry is amazing!