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Home » Chicken + Poultry » Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken Salad Recipe

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
May 29, 2022
4.90 from 29 votes


Last Updated May 29, 2022 | 3 Comments

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This Classic Chicken Salad Recipe is made with juicy diced chicken breast, crunchy celery, and a simple mix of creamy mayonnaise and spicy brown mustard. Perfect for summer BBQs, wedding showers, or birthday parties, enjoy this creamy chicken salad recipe sandwiched between a buttery croissant or scooped onto your favorite crackers and pita bread.

Pita bread served with homemade easy chicken salad topped with chopped green onions in a shallow serving bowl.

The Best Chicken Salad Recipe

This classic chicken salad is one of my all-time favorites! And just like my egg salad recipe or crab salad recipe, this chicken salad is simple, classic, and totally versatile.

When I was younger my mom was the sandwich maker in our house. It was an art for her to put together the perfect lunchtime sandwich – from the type of bread to the layering of the ingredients, she never forgot the final sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Thanks to her, sandwiches of all shapes and sizes are one of my favorite things to make, serve, and eat.

And this classic chicken salad only requires a handful of super simple ingredients– chicken, celery, mayo, brown mustard, salt, and black pepper.

Overhead image of bowl filled with simple chicken salad and fluffy pita bread triangles.

What Goes in Chicken Salad

  • Chicken – You can cook your own chicken or use rotisserie chicken. For this particular recipe, I poached 2 large chicken breasts as it’s fast, easy, and tasty. Rotisserie chicken or leftover baked chicken is just as delicious. You’ll need at least one large or two medium rotisserie chickens to get enough breast meat. Canned chicken can also be used but only as a last resort.
  • Celery – I have grown to love celery in my chicken salad, but as a kid, it wasn’t always that way. If you like a light crunch mixed with your creamy chicken then definitely don’t skip it. Chop it into small dice or keep it larger, completely up to you!
  • Mayonnaise – There are about a million mayonnaise options available these days. Keep it easy and use your favorite. In the past, I would use low-fat mayo but have since started using full-fat mayonnaise and it really makes a huge difference.
  • Brown mustard – My husband and I both really love mustard so we usually add a little extra to our chicken salad. Start with approximately 1 teaspoon and add more as needed. Spicy brown mustard or dijon mustard are my top picks.
  • Green onion – You can substitute with finely diced red onion, but it has a much stronger flavor when compared to green onions.
  • Salt + Pepper – Super simple seasoning is all you need. Unless, of course, you want to change things up a bit and add some curry powder or chipotle powder.
  • Optional additions – pickles or relish, fresh parsley, fresh dill, tarragon, lemon zest, or lemon juice, red grapes, chopped apples, pecans, or dried cranberries.

How to Cook Chicken for Chicken Salad

Almost any mildly seasoned boneless skinless chicken will make a fantastic chicken salad. Typically you’ll find most chicken salad recipes made with chicken breast meat as chicken thigh meat can be quite greasy.

Use store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from dinner the night before, or try one of the methods below to get juicy, yummy chicken perfect for all your chicken salad needs:

  1. Poached Chicken
  2. Baked Chicken Breasts
  3. Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Overhead image of a chicken breast tat has been poached and sliced.

How to Make Chicken Salad

  1. Transfer the fully cooked and cooled chicken to a large mixing bowl. Shred, chop, or finely dice the chicken.
  2. Add the celery, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice (if using), green onions, salt, and black pepper to the chicken. Gently mix until thoroughly combined. Add additional mayo, if needed, and season with additional salt and black pepper, to taste.
  3. For best results, cover and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1-2 hours.
Ingredients needed to make chicken salad in individual serving bowls.

Tips and Tricks

  • Always allow your chicken to come to room temperature or chill in the refrigerator before adding the other ingredients.
  • Some people love adding a tablespoon or two of fresh lemon juice to their chicken salad. Personally, I prefer this recipe without lemon or lemon juice. I find that it makes the mayo taste…off.
  • Add fruit. As with the Waldorf salad, this classic chicken salad is phenomenal with freshly sliced grapes, chopped apples, or dried cranberries.
  • Love crunch? Add some nuts! Pecans or sliced almonds are both delicious.
  • Full-fat mayonnaise makes for the best chicken salad.
  • Add some curry powder and cumin for an epic curried chicken salad or sundried tomatoes as in this sun-dried tomato pesto chicken salad sandwich.
  • Lighten up this chicken salad by swapping half of the mayo for plain Greek yogurt.
Chopped poached chicken, mayonnaise, brown mustard, celery, and green onions in a large glass mixing bowl.

How to Serve Chicken Salad

Serve this classic chicken salad with your favorite sandwich bread or on a warm buttery croissant. It’s perfect with buttery crackers, soft pita bread, or even by the spoonful. I love to serve it in a salad or wrapped in lettuce wraps for an easy, low-carb, and high-protein lunch, dinner, or snack.

Chicken salad is fantastic paired with,

  • Fruit salad
  • Peach strawberry lemonade
  • Pretzels, potato chips, or veggie sticks
  • Soup like this roasted red pepper and tomato soup, chicken tortilla soup, or chicken noodle soup.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

  • Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Recipe
  • Spicy Cajun Sausage and Chicken Skillet Recipe
  • Chicken Stock Recipe (How to Make Chicken Stock)
  • Roast Chicken Recipe (How to Roast Chicken)
  • Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe
  • White Chicken Chili Recipe
Prepared chicken salad recipe garnished with chopped green onions and served in a white serving bowl.

Have you tried making this Chicken Salad Recipe?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.

Prepared chicken salad recipe garnished with chopped green onions and served in a white serving bowl.

Chicken Salad Recipe

4.90 from 29 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
This Classic Chicken Salad Recipe is made with juicy diced chicken breast, crunchy celery, and a simple mix of creamy mayonnaise and spicy brown mustard. Perfect for summer BBQs, wedding showers, or birthday parties, enjoy this creamy chicken salad recipe sandwiched between a buttery croissant or scooped onto your favorite crackers and pita bread.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 mins
Time to poach chicken 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Course Chicken, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 260 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 large chicken breasts - poached (see notes)
  • 2 stalks celery - diced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1-2 teaspoon brown mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - optional
  • ¼ cup green onions - chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt - plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
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Instructions
 

For the Poached Chicken

  • Fill a pot with water. Make sure your pot is large enough to hold your chicken breasts and enough water to completely cover by at least 2-inches. Bring just to a boil over high heat.
  • Add the chicken breasts and return to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately cover with a lid. Allow the chicken to cook (poach) for 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature registers 160°F as read with a digital meat thermometer.
  • Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes before shredding or chopping into small pieces. Allow chicken to cool completely before mixing with mayonnaise and mustard.

For the Chicken Salad

  • Add the cooked, fully cooled, and chopped or shredded chicken to a large bowl. Add the celery, mayonnaise, brown mustard, lemon juice (optional), green onions, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until thoroughly combined. Add additional mayonnaise, if needed, and salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve immediately or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator. Cool for 1-2 hours or overnight.

Jessica’s Notes

  • Learn more about How to Poach Chicken.
  • Save time and pre-cook your chicken or use rotisserie chicken instead. You will need about 3 cups of cooked chicken.
  • Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container and in the refrigerator. Best if used within 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 551mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 187IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword chicken salad, Chicken Salad Recipe, Classic Chicken Salad
Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

304 shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Judy D. says

    July 16, 2022 at 1:09 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! My new go to recipe for chicken salad. We like nuts so I added toasted pecans. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa says

      July 16, 2022 at 1:27 pm

      Thanks for the delicious feedback, Judy 😀

      Reply
  2. Olivia Zoey says

    May 31, 2022 at 7:48 am

    5 stars
    So easy and SOOO good!

    Reply

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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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