Best 5 Crowd Pleasing Chicken Salad Recipes

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**Crowd-Pleasing Chicken Salad: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors and Textures**

Indulge in a culinary delight with our crowd-pleasing chicken salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This versatile dish, perfect for gatherings, picnics, or quick lunches, offers a harmonious blend of savory chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy, tangy dressing. With three variations – classic, avocado-lime, and bacon-ranch – there's a chicken salad to suit every palate. Join us on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind this beloved dish and discover how to create your own masterpiece.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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

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

HOT CHICKEN SALAD



Hot Chicken Salad image

This quintessential American casserole epitomizes timeless comfort food. The "hot" in this chicken salad refers to temperature, not spice. This casserole takes the components of a classic chicken salad, tops it off with crunchy classic potato chips and bakes in the oven until warmed through. While the filling and toppings vary by region and recipe, the main ingredients, like the version here, include cooked chicken, celery, mayonnaise, grated cheese and slivered almonds. You can poach your own chicken or save time and use a cut up rotisserie or poached chicken. Hot chicken salad does precisely what is asked of a casserole: to soothe, lift up and spread joy.

Provided by Naz Deravian

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pounds cooked chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
5 large celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch slices at an angle
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar (3 ounces)
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon onion salt
Salt and black pepper
4 cups potato chips (classic or ruffled), lightly crushed, plus more as needed

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees with a rack positioned in the center.
  • Place the chicken, celery, mayonnaise, Cheddar, almonds, lemon juice and onion salt in a large bowl and mix to combine well. Taste for seasoning, and add salt and pepper as needed. The amount will depend on how seasoned your chicken is.
  • Transfer the chicken mixture to a 3-quart (9-by-13-inch) shallow baking dish. Spread it out evenly and top with the crushed potato chips. Add more chips if needed to cover the top.
  • Bake uncovered until the chips are golden brown and the mixture is warmed through and bubbling lightly at the bottom, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

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

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

CROWD-PLEASING PEA SALAD



Crowd-Pleasing Pea Salad image

I love this tasty and easy pea salad.

Provided by HOLLY9000

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes     Green Pea Salad Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

¼ pound sharp Cheddar cheese
2 (15 ounce) cans sweet peas, drained
⅓ cup diced red onion
½ cup mayonnaise, or to taste
1 tablespoon white sugar
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Grate Cheddar cheese into a bowl and refrigerate while draining peas and dicing onion to keep cheese shreds from sticking together.
  • Mix cheese, peas, onion, mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and pepper together in a bowl.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour to overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 246.6 calories, Carbohydrate 17.4 g, Cholesterol 20.1 mg, Fat 16 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 9.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 285.6 mg, Sugar 7.8 g

CROWD-PLEASING TACO SALAD



Crowd-Pleasing Taco Salad image

While this recipe might sound involved, it can be fixed in just 30 minutes. It's a hit at the potluck table-and I don't have to bring any home after the shindig! -Ann Cahoon, Bradenton, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 medium head iceberg lettuce, torn
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup taco sauce
1 package (9-1/4 ounces) corn chips

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the ketchup, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. , In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, olives and beef mixture. Combine mayonnaise and taco sauce; pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with corn chips. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 413 calories, Fat 29g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 689mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 13g protein.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh, organic chicken is ideal. Choose mayonnaise made with olive oil or avocado oil for a healthier option.
  • Cook the chicken breasts ahead of time and let them cool completely before shredding them. This will help to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Add some chopped celery, onion, or grapes for extra flavor and crunch. You can also add a handful of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds.
  • Season the salad to taste with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dollop of Dijon mustard for extra flavor.
  • Serve the chicken salad on a bed of lettuce or greens, or use it as a sandwich filling. You can also enjoy it as a dip with crackers or vegetables.

Conclusion:

This crowd-pleasing chicken salad recipe is easy to make and always a hit. With its creamy, tangy flavor and tender chicken, it's perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a quick and easy lunch or dinner. Feel free to experiment with different flavor variations to find your favorite combination. Enjoy!

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