• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Amanda's Easy Recipes

Best Brunch Recipes - Breakfast Cocktails Dessert Appetizers & Lunch

  • ALL RECIPES
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • Slow Cooker
  • About
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Lunch / The Best Classic Chicken Salad

The Best Classic Chicken Salad

February 13, 2020

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Email
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

The Best Classic Chicken Salad is an easy recipe that uses common ingredients. Rotisserie chicken, celery, and onion gets coated in a simple, tangy, mayo-based dressing.

Chicken salad sandwich with lettuce on wheat bread

Recipe For Chicken Salad

This is a great lunch option to serve at a brunch, barbecue, or any potluck.  Everyone loves a creamy cold chicken salad.

Traditional chicken salad consists of three main components:  chicken, dressing, and something crunchy.

Chicken – Any cooked chicken will work.  But, I love using rotisserie chicken.  It’s already cooked and seasoned, so all I have to do is pull it apart into bite-size pieces.

Dressing – I use a mayonnaise based dressing with a few other common ingredients.

Crunch – Keep it simple with celery and onions.

How To Make Chicken Salad

* Note:  The full printable recipe card is at the bottom of this post.

  • Add mayo to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.

mixing bowl with mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, mustard, salt, sugar, and pepper.

  • Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
  • Add cooked pulled or chopped chicken.
  • Add sliced celery and chopped red onions.

cooked chicken, diced red onion, and sliced celery in a mixing bowl with salad dressing.

  • Stir until well mixed.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour.

How To Serve

I could eat this stuff with a spoon.  And, I have!  But, for guests, try some of these options.

  • Sliced sandwich bread
  • Sliced toasted baguette
  • Tortillas/wraps
  • Croissants
  • Pita
  • Butter lettuce leaves
  • Tossed salad

The best chicken salad recipe on sliced bread with lettuce

Other Add-Ins

I like the traditional recipe.  But, this is where you can get super creative.

  • Chopped pickles
  • Chopped eggs
  • Dried cranberries/raisins
  • Chopped apples
  • Halved grapes
  • Sliced water chestnuts
  • Sliced olives
  • Chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, cashews, etc.)
  • Sliced green onions
  • Chopped avocado

Chopped apples and avocado will turn brown quickly, so only use these if you plan on serving immediately.

How To Store

This will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  Stir well before serving.

Can This Be Frozen

Nope!  Chicken salad does not freeze well.  Don’t do it.

Try These Other Easy Lunch Recipes

  • Pickle Pasta Salad
  • Tuna Salad from Culinary Hill

Watch The Recipe Video For The Best Classic Chicken Salad Below

Chicken salad sandwich with lettuce on wheat bread

The Best Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

This easy recipe uses common ingredients. Rotisserie chicken, celery, and onion gets coated in a simple, tangy, mayo-based dressing.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time0 mins
Total Time15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 319kcal
Author: Amanda Finks
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups cooked chicken - pulled or chopped. I use pulled rotisserie chicken*
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • For serving: crackers, bread, tortillas, lettuce leaves, etc.

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined. Add the chicken, celery, and onion. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated in dressing.
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to four days.**

Notes

*If you use rotisserie chicken, wait to add the salt. Some rotisserie chicken is very salty. You may want to skip the salt altogether.
**Chicken salad is best after it has chilled in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4th of the recipe | Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 342mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
Course Brunch, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken salad recipe, easy chicken salad recipe, how to make chicken salad
Pin This Recipe
Follow Me On Pinterest!Click Here To Follow @AmandasEasyRecipes
Chicken salad sandwich with lettuce on wheat bread
Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Email
Previous Post: « Sausage Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
Next Post: Baked Brown Sugar Bacon »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie says

    February 16, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    5 stars
    I just love a good chicken salad, and this is one! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Erica says

    February 16, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    5 stars
    This chicken salad is delicious! The touch of red vinegar is everything. Made this chicken salad to take for sandwiches to Disney to save money, and the whole family loved them.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Amanda Finks –

I'm a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist trained in recipe development and food science. I have over 7 years experience publishing some of the most popular recipes on the internet. Read More…

Follow:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent Posts

Parmesan pesto baked chicken on a plate with vegetables.

Pesto Parmesan Baked Chicken

Two brown sugar pancakes on a white plate topped with butter and syrup.

Brown Sugar Pancakes

Slice of cinnamon roll cheesecake on a white plate.

Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Bars

2 sliced of ketchup glazed meatloaf on a plate with 2 sides.

4 Ingredient Meatloaf

Crock Pot Chicken Lo Mein

large bowl of pepper steak over cooked noodles

Crock Pot Pepper Steak

Copyright © 2023 Amanda's Easy Recipes · Terms/Privacy