• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Fox Valley Foodie
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About the Fox Valley Foodie
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Classic Chicken Salad

    Published: Dec 29, 2022 · Modified: Jan 11, 2023 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook173
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Classic Chicken Salad Recipe - Creamy & Tender

    This classic chicken salad is loaded with crunchy bits of celery and onion mingling throughout the delectably creamy dressing. This easy recipe packs tons of flavor, requires only basic ingredients, and it is effortless to make. You will never want to use another chicken salad recipe again!

    Classic Chicken Salad.

    What is it?

    This classic chicken salad recipe features tender shredded chicken coated in a creamy Dijon mayo-based dressing, along with freshly chopped onion, celery, and parsley. This easy recipe can be enjoyed on its own, or as flavorful chicken salad sandwiches or wraps.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    • Chicken breast - The easiest option is to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
    • Mayo - Light mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt can be substituted for a healthier option.
    • Dijon mustard - You can substitute brown mustard or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for acidity.
    • Celery - Celery adds that classic crunch to the salad, but fresh bell peppers can also be used.
    • Yellow onion - A white onion is a great substitute. The flavor of a red onion would overpower this dish.
    • Fresh parsley - Parsley adds a pop of color and freshness, but you can also add green onions or other fresh herbs, like thyme.

    If you want to customize this recipe to fit your tastes try any combination of the following simple ingredients too:

    • Hard-boiled eggs
    • Sweet peppers
    • Briney food such as pickles or olives
    • Sundried tomatoes
    • Nuts

    How to make it

    Making a traditional chicken salad is just about the easiest recipe ever once you have the cooked chicken shredded and the veggies chopped. Simply add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine well, then serve!

    How to serve it

    Homemade chicken salad is a very versatile dish and perfect for a simple lunch. My favorite way to enjoy it is as a sandwich on a bun. Although cheap "bread-aisle" buns will work fine, getting artisan buns from the bakery department can really elevate this dish. For a low-carb option, you can serve it on a bed of lettuce, in lettuce wraps, or low-carb wraps. Alternatively, serving this easy chicken salad recipe on crackers or simply in a bowl are also great ways to enjoy it as well.

    Note: Since this salad has a creamy dressing that is mayo-based, it should not be left out at room temperature for long periods of time when serving.

    Can I Make Chicken Salad Ahead of Time?

    Yes! This classic chicken salad recipe is great to make ahead. It is meant to be enjoyed cold, so you can simply whip up a batch and store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Plus, this gives time for the flavors to meld properly. However, there is nothing wrong with eating it right away either. This salad will last approximately 4 days before the quality starts noticeably degrading. 

    Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich.

    More creative chicken salad recipes

    Though this classic recipe is a very popular way many people enjoy chicken salad, there are many flavorful variations to try! If you are craving a jazzed-up chicken salad try any of these recipes too!

    • Chicken Salad with Red Grapes and Pecans
    • Chipotle Chicken Salad
    • Chicken Salad with Apples
    • BBQ Chicken Salad
    • Grilled Chipotle Chicken Salad
    • Avocado Chipotle Chicken Salad
    • Bacon Avocado Chicken Salad
    Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich

    Classic Chicken Salad

    This classic chicken salad is perfectly tender and creamy with crunchy bits of celery and onion sprinkled throughout.  You will never want to use another chicken salad recipe again!
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Sandwich
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 211kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Equipment

    • Large Bowl

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups shredded chicken breast (can use 1 rotisserie chicken), cooked & cooled
    • ½ cup mayo
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 rib celery (chopped)
    • ½ medium yellow onion (chopped)
    • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
    • buns for serving

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine.
    • Place ~⅓ cup of mixture on buns and enjoy. Or refrigerate chicken salad for later use.

    Video

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 284mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 119IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    This recipe was originally published on July 21, 2017, on FoxValleyFoodie.com.

    Get My FREE eCookbook

    mailer

    Subscribe to FoxValleyFoodie.com and get each tantalizing new post sent directly to your inbox, along with my complementary eCookbook just for signing up!

    « Homemade Beefaroni
    Pickled Eggs and Sausage »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anne

      March 08, 2024 at 12:24 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely the best chicken salad recipe we have ever tasted!!

      Reply
    2. Gaye

      October 15, 2020 at 9:37 am

      I could eat my weight in chicken salad; and, No! I’m not gonna tell my weight. Never knew to add mustard for zip. Grapes and pecans are a no, no!’

      Reply
    3. Anita

      August 25, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      Can I use sweet relish in the salad?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        August 26, 2019 at 9:09 am

        I'm not sure how that would taste. You could give it a try.

        Reply
        • Mercedes Hoffman

          September 24, 2019 at 4:38 pm

          It’s good with pickle relish but you would want to squeeze it dry because it tends to separate and get watery when in the refrigerator overnight.

          Reply
    4. Dana Francis

      August 18, 2019 at 9:38 am

      Can you use spicy mustard with this recipe as well?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        August 19, 2019 at 8:52 am

        Sure can!

        Reply
    5. Debbie

      August 13, 2019 at 2:14 pm

      Could you use dill pickles in your recipe

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        August 14, 2019 at 8:25 am

        They wouldn't be my first choice to add, but there is no reason you couldn't.

        Reply
    6. Carly Saponari

      July 07, 2019 at 3:32 am

      Totally used red onions because I love
      Them

      Reply
    7. Marie

      June 13, 2019 at 12:18 am

      5 stars
      Made this chicken salad today exactly as per the recipe and it was amazing. Thanks for a great recipe 🙂

      Reply
    8. Angel

      May 10, 2019 at 2:08 pm

      Could you do this without the mustard and parsley?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        May 10, 2019 at 2:17 pm

        You certainly could, although it would be considerably more bland without the acidity of mustard since that is a primary source of flavor.

        Reply
    9. Jessica

      May 07, 2019 at 6:00 pm

      What type of onion?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        May 10, 2019 at 9:23 am

        A classic yellow onion or sweet onion would be ideal.

        Reply
    10. Brandon

      March 01, 2019 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      Haha love your basic recipe、 epicurian smob. Found it researching ways to make my chicken salad better. You remind me of my friend from Japan who says "I don't do condiments... I only do sauces." Lol. Good basic recipe!

      Reply
    11. Terry

      February 21, 2019 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      BEST EVER!!! I can toss the others out!
      Thank you !!!

      Reply
    12. Linda Ross

      August 19, 2018 at 4:48 pm

      Can I add hard boiled eggs? And if so, should I had more mayonnaise?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        August 20, 2018 at 8:31 am

        Absolutely you can! I wouldn't add more mayo unless needed. If you accidentally break up the eggs too much while stirring them into the egg salad, you will likely need more mayo because the smaller bits can soak up the sauce. However, if you leave the chopped eggs relatively in-tact while incorporating them into the salad, you shouldn't need more mayo.

        Reply
    13. Cheryl Lynn Belangee

      July 15, 2018 at 6:45 pm

      4 stars
      I don't eat onions, and I always use miracle whip. This was prstty good.

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        July 15, 2018 at 8:27 pm

        Miracle Whip would probably be a tasty substitution!

        Reply
    14. Jill

      November 20, 2017 at 1:36 pm

      5 stars
      This is a classic for a reason!

      Reply
    4.88 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Subscribe

    15834

    Get each tantalizing new recipe

    sent directly to your inbox.

    AND GET MY eCOOKBOOK FREE!

    Search for your favorite post!

    Popular Recipes

    Fried chicken gizzards recipe.

    Fried Chicken Gizzards

    Big Mac Sauce Copycat Recipe

    McDonald's Big Mac Sauce (Copycat Recipe)

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs - Bone In

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs (Bone-In)

    Venison Meatloaf Recipe

    Venison Meatloaf

    Homemade mozzarella sticks with string cheese

    Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese

    How to make paprika

    How to Make Paprika

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Secret Ingredient

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf - With a Secret Ingredient

    Close up Sloppy Joes

    Homemade Manwich (Sloppy Joes)

    As featured in yahoo, buzzfeed, oprah, msn and more!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Fox Valley Foodie, LLC

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.