Homemade Chicken Salad Recipe: Fresh, Simple & Tasty Fix

Crisp, refreshing chicken salad delivers a delightful blend of flavors that dance across your palate.

Tender chunks of seasoned chicken mingle with crunchy vegetables and creamy dressing.

Chopped herbs add a vibrant touch to this classic dish.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in creating a memorable meal.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

Chilled and light, this salad works wonderfully as a quick lunch or elegant dinner side.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet sophisticated recipe that comes together in minutes.

Why This Chicken Salad Is So Versatile

• This chicken salad recipe requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners or busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• The recipe offers incredible flexibility to adjust seasonings, swap ingredients, or add personal touches, allowing you to create a unique dish that matches your taste preferences.
• Enjoy this chicken salad in multiple ways – as a sandwich filling, salad topper, or standalone dish, making it an incredibly adaptable recipe for lunch, picnics, or quick family meals.
• Packed with protein from chicken, crunch from pecans, and sweetness from cranberries, this recipe delivers a balanced and exciting eating experience that satisfies multiple taste and nutritional needs.

What You’ll Need to Make Creamy Chicken Salad

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Tender protein that forms the core of the salad.

• Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt: Creamy ingredients that create a smooth and flavorful dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy kick to the base dressing.

• Onion Powder, Kosher Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that provide depth and balance to the overall taste.
• Granny Smith Apple: Introduces a crisp and tart element to the salad.
• Dried Cranberries: Brings a sweet and chewy texture to the mix.
• Pecans: Adds a crunchy and nutty dimension to the chicken salad.

• Dinner Rolls, Croissants: Bread options for serving the chicken salad.
• Tomato, Lettuce: Fresh vegetables that can accompany the salad as a light base.

How to Make Chicken Salad From Scratch

Step 1: Whisk Creamy Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, dijon mustard, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.

Blend thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.

Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference, allowing the flavors to meld together perfectly.

Step 2: Chop Chicken Carefully

Ensure the cooked chicken has completely cooled down.

Remove skin and bones if using rotisserie chicken.

Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Gently fold the chicken into the creamy dressing, making sure each piece gets fully coated with the flavorful sauce.

Step 3: Incorporate Crunchy Elements

• Diced Granny Smith apple
• Dried cranberries
• Chopped pecans

Fold these ingredients gently into the chicken mixture, ensuring an even distribution throughout the salad.

Step 4: Plate and Serve Creatively

• Spread on dinner rolls or croissants
• Nestled on a bed of fresh lettuce and sliced tomatoes
• Enjoy directly from the bowl as a quick and satisfying meal

The salad offers a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and tangy flavors that will delight your taste buds.

Tips for Flavor, Texture, and Chill Time

• Allow cooked chicken to cool entirely before mixing to prevent dressing from becoming runny and maintain perfect texture.
• Adjust nuts and apple quantities to create your preferred balance of softness and crunchiness in each bite.
• Replace chicken with rotisserie, grilled, or even canned chicken for quick meal preparation without compromising flavor.
• Start with less mayonnaise and gradually add more to prevent oversaturating the salad and maintain ideal consistency.
• Keep chicken salad refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring freshness and preventing bacterial growth.

How to Keep Chicken Salad Fresh All Week

• Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it cool and sealed to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer the chicken salad to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 1-2 months. Note that the texture might slightly change upon thawing due to mayonnaise and yogurt.
• Move frozen chicken salad from freezer to refrigerator overnight. Never thaw at room temperature to prevent potential foodborne illness.
• For best results, consume chicken salad cold. If slightly warming is desired, gently heat in microwave for 15-20 seconds, stirring midway to distribute heat evenly. Avoid prolonged heating to prevent separation of creamy base.

Sides and Breads That Match Perfectly

• Recommend a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy dressing and cut through the richness of the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt.
• Choose croissants or brioche rolls to serve alongside the chicken salad. Their buttery, delicate texture beautifully balances the crunchy pecans and tangy apple.
• Spread the chicken salad over mixed baby greens or arugula for added freshness.
• Prepare a quick cucumber slaw with vinegar, dill, and a touch of honey to serve alongside the chicken salad.

Ways to Spice Up the Base Recipe

• Vegan Veggie Fusion: Replace chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, swap mayonnaise for cashew cream, and add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers and cucumber for a plant-based protein-packed alternative.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Use rotisserie chicken, replace mayo with avocado, eliminate apple and cranberries, increase nuts like almonds and walnuts, and serve over mixed greens to reduce carbohydrates.
• Greek-Inspired Makeover: Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, add crumbled feta cheese, include diced cucumber, kalamata olives, and fresh dill for a Mediterranean-style chicken salad experience.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use unsalted rotisserie chicken, replace regular salt with herb blend, incorporate fresh herbs like parsley and chives, and use low-sodium Greek yogurt to reduce overall sodium content.

FAQs

• How do I know if my chicken is properly cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken – it should be white throughout with no pink areas.

• Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare it 1-2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors actually develop and become more delicious as they sit together.

• What if I don't like pecans?

You can easily substitute pecans with other nuts like walnuts or sliced almonds. If you have a nut allergy, simply omit them or replace with sunflower seeds for crunch.

• Is Greek yogurt necessary for the recipe?

Greek yogurt adds tanginess and creaminess, but you can substitute with sour cream or additional mayonnaise if needed. Each option will slightly change the flavor profile of the dressing.

Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Nostalgic summer memories blend perfectly with this classic chicken salad, offering a delightful medley of fresh ingredients and creamy textures. Crisp vegetables and tender chicken create a refreshing meal that satisfies your craving for comfort and flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast

Fruits and Nuts:

• 3/4 cup (113 grams) small diced Granny Smith apple
• 1/3 cup (50 grams) dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) chopped pecans

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) plain Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Craft a silky, harmonious base by whisking mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly blended. Taste and adjust seasonings for optimal flavor profile.
2. Ensure chicken is completely cooled, then dice into uniform bite-sized pieces. If using rotisserie chicken, carefully remove skin and bones before chopping. Incorporate chicken into the creamy mixture, ensuring thorough coating.
3. Introduce textural complexity by gently folding diced Granny Smith apple, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans into the chicken mixture. Distribute ingredients evenly to guarantee balanced flavor in each spoonful.
4. Serve immediately for maximum freshness. Present on soft dinner rolls, croissants, or atop crisp lettuce leaves with sliced tomatoes. Refrigerate any remaining salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Customize the dressing’s tanginess by adjusting the amount of dijon mustard and Greek yogurt for a personalized flavor profile.
• Ensure chicken is completely cooled to prevent the creamy base from becoming runny and maintain the salad’s ideal texture.
• Swap pecans with almonds or walnuts for different nutty undertones, catering to personal preferences or available ingredients.
• Keep the salad fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, consuming within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg