Best 5 Classic Creamy Chicken Salad Recipes

Welcome to the realm of culinary artistry, where flavors dance and textures harmonize. Today, we embark on a journey to explore a classic dish that has tantalized taste buds for generations: creamy chicken salad. In this comprehensive guide, you'll find a diverse collection of creamy chicken salad recipes that cater to every palate and dietary preference.

From the traditional mayonnaise-based version to lighter variations featuring Greek yogurt or avocado, these recipes offer a symphony of flavors. Savor the classic combination of tender chicken, crisp celery, and crunchy walnuts, or indulge in innovative takes that incorporate tangy cranberries, sweet grapes, or a touch of curry for an exotic twist.

Whether you prefer a quick and easy weekday lunch option or an elegant centerpiece for your next gathering, these creamy chicken salad recipes are sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CLASSIC CHICKEN SALAD

Classic Chicken Salad image

A classic chicken salad recipe is always a favorite at a picnic, a barbecue, or an office potluck! Just a few ingredients can be transformed into a cold, creamy salad or filling for a homemade chicken salad sandwich or wrap!

Provided by Holly Nilsson

Categories Salad

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken (chopped)
½ cup mayonnaise
1 stalk celery (chopped)
1 green onion (diced (or chives or red onion))
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
½ teaspoon seasoned salt
pepper to taste
1 teaspoon fresh dill (optional)

Steps:

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve as a sandwich or over salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 206 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 15 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 48 mg, Sodium 362 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CLASSIC CHICKEN SALAD

Classic Chicken Salad image

Try serving this Classic Chicken Salad on a bed of mixed greens or on whole-grain bread.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 cup diced chicken
1 heaping tablespoon minced red onion
1 heaping tablespoon minced celery
2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Dash of hot sauce
Coarse salt and ground pepper, to taste

Steps:

Place all ingredients in a bowl; stir to combine.
For a whole-grain sandwich, layer your favorite whole-grain bread with 1/4 cup baby greens (we used arugula) and chicken salad.
To serve on a bed of greens, place 2 cups mixed salad greens on a plate; spoon chicken salad over the top, and add 6 to 8 halved red seedless grapes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 293 g, Fat 16 g, Protein 33 g

CREAMY CHICKEN SALAD

Creamy Chicken Salad image

Make and share this Creamy Chicken Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by StacL

Categories Chicken

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 (10 ounce) cans canned chicken, drained
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 -3 tablespoons dried onion flakes
garlic powder, to taste

Steps:

Drain chicken.
Combine cream cheese, sour cream, pepper, worcestershire, onion, and garlic powder. Mix well.
Add drained chicken and mix well.
Allow to refrigerate for a couple hours to let the flavors develop and the onions soften.
Serve with crackers or make a sandwich!

CLASSIC CHICKEN SALAD

Classic Chicken Salad image

This crowd-pleasing recipe for classic chicken salad is perfect for sandwiches, salads, and snacking. Bits of celery, relish, and fresh herbs add texture and flavor while Dijon mustard and lemon juice add a tangy bite. Enjoy it just as it is, or add nuts or fruits. My favorite way to eat this is on toasted wheat bread with lettuce and tomato alongside a healthy serving of potato chips!

Provided by NicoleMcmom

Time 3h55m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

cooking spray
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
¾ teaspoon onion powder
1 cup mayonnaise, or more to taste
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup sweet relish
3 stalks green onions (white and light green parts only), minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
½ cup finely chopped celery

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
Season chicken evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and onion powder. Place in the prepared baking dish and cover tightly with foil.
Bake in the preheated oven until juices run clear and chicken shreds easily, about 1 hour 20 minutes; don't overcook. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Remove from the oven, uncover, and let sit until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Reserve any accumulated chicken broth.
Prepare dressing while chicken cools. Combine 1 cup mayonnaise, sour cream, relish, green onions, parsley, Dijon, lemon juice, dill, and remaining salt and pepper in a large bowl; mix until well combined.
Break chicken into large pieces and place in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 3 to 5 times to shred chicken to desired consistency.
Transfer chicken to a bowl. Add celery and pour dressing over top; toss to coat. If more moisture is desired, add reserved broth or more mayonnaise.
Cover and chill for at least 2 hours (or up to 2 days) before serving. Stir well before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295.7 calories, Carbohydrate 4.4 g, Cholesterol 65.1 mg, Fat 22.1 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 19.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 456.7 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

CLASSIC CREAMY CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

Classic Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe image

Provided by tamalone

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 Large whole bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt & pepper
For Salad
2 medium ribs celery, cut into small dice
2 medium scallions, white and green parts, minced
3/4 - 1 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice from 1 small lemon
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup pecan or walnut halves
1 cup red grapes, halved or dried cranberries
salt and ground black pepper

Steps:

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Set breasts on small, foil-lined jelly roll pan. Brush with oil and sprinkle generously with salt. Roast until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers 160 degrees, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature, remove skin and bones, and shred meat into bite-sized pieces (about 5 cups). (Can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for 2 days.) Mix all salad ingredients (including chicken, shredded) together in large bowl, including salt and pepper to taste. Serve. (Can be covered and refrigerated overnight.)

Tips:

For a classic creamy chicken salad, use a combination of white and dark meat chicken. Dark meat chicken adds more flavor to the salad.
Shred the chicken into small pieces. This will help the chicken to blend well with the other ingredients.
Use high-quality mayonnaise. This will make the salad more flavorful and creamy.
Add some chopped celery and onion for a bit of crunch and flavor.
Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
For a more flavorful salad, add some chopped fresh herbs, such as dill or parsley.
Serve the salad on a bed of lettuce or in a croissant or wrap.

Conclusion:

Classic creamy chicken salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a snack. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this classic creamy chicken salad a try!