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The BEST easy chicken salad recipe made with simple ingredients is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner and makes delicious sandwiches. You’ll love this classic way to use up leftover chicken!
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Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
This classic chicken salad is one of my go-to meals in warm weather. It’s a super easy recipe and comes together quickly using leftover chicken and a few simple ingredients. Since we almost always have cooked chicken leftovers in the fridge or freezer for meal prep, I can throw this easy chicken dinner together in no time.
Ingredients
You only need 5 basic ingredients plus a few spices in this classic recipe. Full ingredient amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Cooked chicken — I usually use leftover rotisserie chicken or leftover roast chicken. In a pinch, you can bake chicken breasts and chop them up once they are cool. I use chicken breast meat, but use what you have.
- Mayonnaise — A must for that classic creamy taste. I use regular mayo as Miracle whip will change the flavor.
- Yogurt — Plain yogurt combined with mayo adds delicious flavor. You can definitely use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, but the flavor will be slightly different.
- Mustard — I like Dijon mustard or deli mustard.
- Celery — Crunchy celery adds texture and crunch, as well as flavor
- Seasonings — sea salt, black pepper, dried parsley and a hint of paprika on top for color
How to Make Chicken Salad
The first step is to make the simple dressing. Just add the mayo and yogurt to a large bowl. Add the mustard and seasonings, and stir until well combined.
Next, add the chicken and celery, and mix until well blended.
Cover with plastic wrap, and place chicken salad in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. I recommend making the salad at least 2 hours ahead of time so the flavors can develop. But, you can eat it sooner if needed.
Best Way to Serve Chicken Salad
The best way to serve chicken salad is in a sandwich on croissant rolls with fresh lettuce or baby spinach or arugula. I buy the large croissants from Costco, and they work great for this recipe. Serve sandwiches with juicy grapes, other fresh fruit or salty potato chips on the side.
You can use your favorite sliced bread to make a chicken salad sandwich or serve over a bed of lettuce or fresh greens or in lettuce wraps or in tortillas. My aunt used to serve chicken salad stuffed in tomatoes for a light lunch!
Storage
Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container for 3-4 days. While you can freeze it, the dressing gets rather watery when you defrost the salad.
Variations and Substitutions
You can omit the yogurt and use all mayo in the dressing. Try tarragon in place of parsley or add curry powder for a different flavor. Add fresh parsley, dill or other fresh herbs before serving.
If you’re not a fan of mustard, skip it. You can also use plain yellow mustard in place of Dijon.
Add diced green onion or red onion for extra flavor or diced green pepper in place of the celery. Add chopped nuts for extra protein.
Different Chicken Salad Recipes
For something completely different, try my lemon chicken salad with apples or ranch chicken salad with bacon or Chinese chicken salad or chicken salad with cranberries — perfect for fall. Check out more easy salad recipes your family will love!
The Best Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast meat diced
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 rib celery diced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch paprika optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir the yogurt, mayo, mustard, salt, pepper and parsley until well combined
- Add the chicken and celery, and mix well
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with a pinch of paprika for color, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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