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Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad is a classic for a reason, offering a versatile, flavorful, and satisfying meal perfect for lunches, picnics, or light dinners. This recipe provides a straightforward way to create a delicious chicken salad that’s both budget-friendly and customizable.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or finely diced (rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (use your favorite brand, from full-fat for creaminess to lighter options)
  • ¼ cup finely chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt , or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper , or to taste
Optional additions
  • ¼ cup chopped pickles
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 pinch curry powder

Method
 

  1. Ensure your cooked chicken is ready. If you’re shredding or dicing by hand, make sure the pieces are bite-sized and uniform in size. If using rotisserie chicken, this step is already done for you!
    2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or finely diced
  2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard. Whisk these together until they are well combined and smooth. This creates the creamy base for your Chicken Salad.
    ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  3. Gently fold in the finely chopped celery and red onion into the mayonnaise mixture. The celery adds a pleasant crunch, while the red onion provides a subtle, sharp flavor that cuts through the richness.
    ¼ cup finely chopped celery, 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  4. Stir in the fresh dill, salt, and black pepper. Dill is a classic pairing with chicken, offering a bright, slightly anisey flavor. Adjust salt and pepper to your personal preference.
    1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  5. Add the prepared cooked chicken to the bowl. Using a spatula or a spoon, gently fold the chicken into the dressing until it is evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the chicken mushy.
    2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or finely diced
  6. If you’re incorporating any optional ingredients such as chopped pickles for a tangy bite, fresh parsley for an extra burst of green flavor, lemon juice for brightness, or curry powder for a unique twist, now is the time to gently fold them in.
    ¼ cup chopped pickles, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 pinch curry powder
  7. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the Chicken Salad for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Notes

Storing: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Freezing is possible, but texture may change. Reheating is not recommended; serve cold.
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