Classic Chicken Salad
This Classic Chicken Salad is a quick and easy, high-protein meal that's perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or croissants.
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Juicy pieces of cooked chicken are combined with crunchy celery and red onion, all tossed in a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. The result? The perfect balance of flavor and texture-simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious.
This is one of those timeless recipes that never goes out of style. A true classic chicken salad: homemade, light, creamy, and full of flavor. It's ideal when you're short on time or want something you can make ahead, because it stays fresh and juicy in the fridge.
Serve it with a slice of bread and some fresh veggies, and you've got a satisfying, protein-packed meal that's filling without feeling heavy.
Why We Love This Salad
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Perfect for parties, picnics, or meal prep
- You can make it ahead of time.
- Extremely versatile: great with bread, toast, crackers, croissants, or fresh veggies
Ingredients:
- Cooked chicken
- Celery
- Red onion
- Mayonnaise
- Greek yogurt
- Dijon mustard
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Exact ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How to Make Chicken Salad
This easy chicken salad comes together in just minutes.
- Dice the cooked chicken breasts into small cubes or shred them using two forks.
- Finely chop the celery and red onion.
- In a medium bowl, add the chicken, celery, red onion, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Next, mix well until everything is evenly combined and creamy.
- Finally, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors come together.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Chicken Salad
- Use fully cooled chicken for the best texture and flavor
- For extra creaminess, add a bit more mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- For a bolder flavor, increase the Dijon mustard
- To reduce calories, use light mayonnaise
- For extra flavor and texture, try adding toasted pecans, dried cranberries, grapes, or fresh dill
How to Serve Chicken Salad
- In a sandwich, bagel, or croissant with crisp lettuce
- As a light salad with fresh veggies like cucumber or cherry tomatoes
- With crackers as an easy snack or appetizer
- Wrapped in a tortilla or pita bread with veggies of your choice
Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days
- Freezing is not recommended, because it can negatively affect the texture of the dressing. As a result, the salad may lose its creamy consistency and fresh flavor.
FAQ
You can use roasted, grilled, or boiled chicken breast. Rotisserie chicken is also a popular choice because it saves time and adds extra flavor.
Yes, classic chicken salad is great for meal prep. You can prepare it up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. This also allows the flavors to blend even better.
Absolutely. You can add ingredients like grapes, nuts, apples, or herbs to adjust the flavor and texture. It's an easy recipe to personalize based on your taste preferences.
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Simple recipes made with classic ingredients are often the best. Why? Because everyone loves them, and you can't go wrong when making them for a gathering. Give this classic chicken salad a try today, and let me know how you liked it. Enjoy!
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Classic Chicken Salad
This Classic Chicken Salad is a quick and easy, high-protein meal that’s perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or croissants.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup celery stalk, diced
- ⅓ cup red onion, chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Dice the cooked chicken breasts into small cubes or shred them using two forks. Finely chop the celery stalk and red onion.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, celery, red onion, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly coated and creamy.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to fully come together.
Notes
- This classic chicken salad is best served chilled and can be enjoyed on its own, in a wrap, or as a sandwich filling.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days
- Freezing is not recommended, because it can negatively affect the texture of the dressing. As a result, the salad may lose its creamy consistency and fresh flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 279mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 30g
