Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make chicken salad recipe? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you through the steps to create a mouthwatering chicken salad that will leave you craving more. With simple ingredients and a flavorful dressing, this recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. So, let’s dive in and learn how to make a scrumptious chicken salad.
Chicken Salad Recipe
Course: SaladsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy5
servings20
minutes30
minutes300
kcal30
minutes1
hour20
minutesThis recipe of delicious chicken salad is made with shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and a variety of vegetables and seasonings.
Ingredients
🍗 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
🥪 1/2 cup mayonnaise
🧅 1/4 cup chopped red onion
🌿 1/4 cup chopped celery
🌶️ 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
🍯 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
🍯 1 tablespoon honey
🧄 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt
⚫ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
🌱 Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mayonnaise, chopped red onion, celery, and red bell pepper.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until everything is well coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Once chilled, give the chicken salad a good stir and taste for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve the chicken salad chilled, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
- That’s it! This chicken salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, and it can be served on its own or with some bread or crackers. Enjoy!
Notes
- To make this recipe even better, consider adding some chopped nuts (such as pecans or almonds) for added crunch and flavor, or try mixing in some diced apples or grapes for a touch of sweetness.
- The total time is 50 minutes. 20 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of chilling in the refrigerator. Serve it chilled for a good experience.
Nutritional Value per serving (approximate)
Here are the nutritional values for the chicken salad recipe per serving size. Please note that these values may vary based on the specific ingredients used and the serving size. Also, these values are calculated by nutritional calculators.
| 300 | 15g | 10g | 30g |
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
➤ Show Full Nutrition Label
Nutrition Facts
5 servings per container
Serving Size250g
- Amount Per ServingCalories300
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
15g
24%
- Saturated Fat 3g 15%
- Cholesterol 70mg 24%
- Sodium 450mg 19%
- Total Carbohydrate
10g
4%
- Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 30g 60%
- Vitamin A 25%
- Vitamin C 15%
- Calcium 6%
- Iron 10%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Tips and Tricks for Chicken Salad
These tips and tricks will help you elevate your chicken salad game to a whole new level.
🍗 Use cooked chicken: Using shredded or diced cooked chicken is important for the salad. You can use leftover cooked chicken or poached chicken breasts and shred them.
🥗 Customize the vegetables and fruits: Chicken salad is versatile and can be customized to include your favorite vegetables and fruits. You can add chopped apples, grapes, cranberries, or nuts for added texture and flavor.
🥗 Use a lighter dressing: Traditional chicken salad dressing is made with mayonnaise, which can be high in calories and fat. You can use a lighter dressing made with Greek yogurt, olive oil, or avocado to make the salad healthier.
🧂 Season well: Be sure to season the salad well with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices to enhance the flavor.
❄️ Chill before serving: This salad tastes best when it has had time to chill in the refrigerator before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to become more flavorful.
🥗 Use a variety of textures: Mix it up by using a variety of textures in your salad. For example, add some crunch with chopped celery or nuts, or use a mix of tender and crisp greens.
🥣 Don’t overload on the dressing: Add just enough dressing to coat the chicken and vegetables without overwhelming the salad. You can always add more dressing if needed, but it’s harder to take away if you’ve added too much.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Salad
This chicken salad can be served on its own as a main dish or as a side dish alongside other dishes. It also pairs well with some bread or crackers for a light and easy meal. You can garnish the salad with chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and a pop of color. It is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions to enjoy it:
🥗 On a bed of greens: Serve the chicken salad on a bed of fresh greens such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula. This will add extra crunch and freshness to the salad.
🥪 As a sandwich: You can turn this salad into a sandwich by placing it between two slices of bread or in a wrap. Add some lettuce or sliced tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
🍽️ As a dip: You can serve this salad as a dip with crackers, pita chips, or vegetable sticks. This is a great option for a party or gathering.
🥔 As a topping: You can use this salad as a topping for a baked potato or sweet potato. This is a great option for a quick and easy meal.
🥑 As a filling: You can use chicken salad as a filling for a stuffed avocado, tomato, or cucumber. This is a great option for a healthy and refreshing snack or lunch.
🍇 With a side of fruit: Serve the chicken salad with a side of fresh fruit such as grapes, strawberries, or apple slices. This will add some sweetness and balance to the meal.
These are just a few serving suggestions for chicken salad but feel free to get creative and experiment with different ways to enjoy it.
Dietary Information for Chicken Salad
| Gluten-Free | Yes |
| Dairy-Free | Yes |
| Vegan | No |
| Keto | No |
Storage Tips for Chicken Salad
To store chicken salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it immediately. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
If you need to store it for a longer period, it’s best to freeze it. To freeze it, place it in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and give it a good stir before serving. It’s important to note that the texture and taste of it may be slightly affected after freezing and thawing, so it’s best to consume it fresh if possible.
My Advice
To make a delicious chicken salad, it’s important to use high-quality, cooked, and shredded chicken breast. You can poach or roast the chicken to your liking, but make sure it’s cooked all the way through before shredding it.
When making the dressing, use a good-quality mayonnaise and whisk it with Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Chop the vegetables into small pieces for easy eating and mix them with the chicken and dressing until everything is well coated.
Let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. You can garnish it with fresh parsley for extra flavor and color. For an added crunch, you can also add some toasted nuts or seeds.
Enjoy it as a light lunch or dinner, or serve it as a side dish at your next gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use canned chicken in this recipe. Just make sure to drain the chicken before using it and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Yes, you can use a different type of mustard, such as yellow mustard or whole grain mustard, but it may change the flavor of the chicken salad.
Yes, you can make this chicken salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to give it a good stir before serving.
Yes, you can customize this recipe to your liking by adding other ingredients such as chopped apples, grapes, or nuts.
Yes, you can use a different type of cooked and shredded meat, such as turkey or pork, but it may change the flavor of the salad.
Yes, you can make a vegan version of this chicken salad by substituting cooked and shredded chickpeas, tofu, or seitan for the chicken breast, and using vegan mayonnaise or yogurt instead of regular mayonnaise. You can also add vegan ingredients such as diced vegetables or plant-based proteins to the salad for added flavor and texture.
Victoria Cornell is an experienced entrepreneur and blogger. She loves to write about a variation of topics including, motherhood, recipes and mindset and manifestation!
