Best 8 The Best Chicken Salad Ever Recipes

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Chicken salad is a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a light lunch, a quick dinner, or a potluck party. This versatile dish can be made with a variety of ingredients, including cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, onion, and seasonings. Some variations may also include nuts, fruits, or vegetables.

This article presents a collection of the best chicken salad recipes, each with its unique flavor and texture. From the classic chicken salad with mayonnaise to the tangy chicken salad with Greek yogurt, there's a recipe for everyone. We also have a spicy chicken salad for those who like a little heat, and a creamy avocado chicken salad for those who prefer a more decadent dish.

No matter what your taste, you're sure to find a chicken salad recipe in this article that you'll love. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's get cooking!

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

BEST CHICKEN SALAD



BEST Chicken Salad image

For a chicken salad that's guaranteed to be a winner, look no further!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     Entree     Main Dish     Side Dish

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 large boneless
1 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 cups halved seedless red grapes
3 green onions (,chopped)
1 cup mayonnaise ((for a healthier choice use Avocado Oil Mayonnaise))
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the diced chicken, celery, green onions and grapes in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, add the remaining ingredients to make the sauce and stir to combine. Pour the mayo sauce over the chicken salad and stir to combine and thoroughly coat the salad.
  • Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
  • Serve on sandwiches, croissants or in wraps with some lettuce. For a low-carb option, serve on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomato and avocado.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 279 kcal, Carbohydrate 7 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 37 mg, Sodium 532 mg, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving

THE BEST CHICKEN SALAD



The Best Chicken Salad image

Gently poaching chicken breasts in an aromatic broth yields tender morsels for folding into a bright and herby homemade dressing. Serve it solo on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomatoes or in half an avocado. It also makes a killer chicken club sandwich topped with crisp bacon and other sandwich fixings.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 cup prepared or homemade mayonnaise
2 teaspoons strained freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups diced poached chicken, recipe follows
1 stalk celery, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 tablespoons shallot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
Sliced chives, for garnish
10 sprigs parsley
2 sprigs thyme
1 small onion, halved
1 small carrot, halved
1 stalk celery, halved
3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves, fat trimmed
5 to 6 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium store bought

Steps:

  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, 1 tablespoon salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl.
  • Toss together the chicken, celery, shallot, dill and parsley in a large bowl.
  • Add the dressing to the chicken and mix gently until combined. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight to meld flavors. Garnish with chives.
  • Put the parsley, thyme, onion, carrot, celery and chicken breasts in a medium saucepan. Cover with the broth and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to very low and cover. Poach the chicken until firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover and cool the chicken in the liquid for 30 minutes.
  • Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and reserve the liquid. Bone and skin the chicken and roughly chop the meat into about 1/2-inch pieces. Discard the bones and skin.
  • Strain the broth and store, covered, in the refrigerator for 3 days or freeze for later use. Remove any fat from the surface of the broth before using.

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

BEST CHICKEN SALAD EVER



Best Chicken Salad Ever image

Light and creamy Best Chicken Salad Ever is made with chicken, red onion, crisp celery, and just the right amount of seasoning!

Provided by The Bandit

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 cups cooked chicken ((leftover shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken or 2 cans Costco canned chicken))
1/4 cup red onion
2 pieces of celery (including leafy tops) (chopped, about one cup)
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp sour cream
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp salt
pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Finely chop red onion and celery.
  • In a medium bowl, break up, finely chop or shred the chicken.
  • Add chopped onion and celery, lemon juice, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
  • Chill until ready to use. Enjoy!

THE BEST CHICKEN SALAD EVER



The Best Chicken Salad Ever image

This is the best chicken salad I have ever had in my life and it is so simple to make.

Provided by Richard Rego

Categories     Salad

Time 10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked
¼ cup creamy salad dressing
4 tablespoons cole slaw dressing
1 stalk celery, chopped
¼ onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a food processor, combine the chicken, creamy salad dressing, cole slaw dressing, celery, onion, and salt and pepper. Mix until well chopped.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 102.8 calories, Carbohydrate 3.2 g, Cholesterol 25.6 mg, Fat 6.3 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 7.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 141.2 mg, Sugar 2.7 g

BEST CHICKEN SALAD EVER



Best Chicken Salad Ever image

This recipe uses canned chicken, but if you want to use leftover chunked chicken or turkey, it 's even better. A dab of sweet relish is a nice taste surprise, and we love the apples, pecans, and raisins. The creamy salad dressing finishes it off nicely.

Provided by pepper

Categories     Salad

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (5 ounce) can chunk chicken, drained and flaked
1 large apple, cored and diced
⅔ cup raisins
½ stalk celery, chopped
½ cup chopped pecans
3 tablespoons plain fat-free Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Mix chicken, apple, raisins, celery, pecans, yogurt, and relish together in a bowl; season with salt and pepper.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 173.8 calories, Carbohydrate 19.6 g, Cholesterol 14.7 mg, Fat 8.6 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 7.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 133.4 mg, Sugar 14.2 g

BEST CHICKEN SALAD



Best Chicken Salad image

The secret here isn't in the seasonings (though the tarragon and sour cream make it pretty wonderful) but in the texture of the chicken, described as "plush" by the chef Barbara Tropp in her "China Moon" cookbook. She incorporated Chinese methods and flavors to her cooking, including this foolproof method for poaching chicken breasts without overcooking. It makes a chicken salad that's perfect for sandwiches (especially on dark rye or sourdough breads) or scooped onto a lettuce-lined plate with sliced radishes, tomatoes, crackers, grapes or all of the above. The chicken breasts used here must be bone-in, but you can remove the skin if you prefer. The skin and bones flavor the cooking liquid, providing a bonus of several pints of chicken stock.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     brunch, dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, main course

Time 6h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

About 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
2 scallions, cut into thirds
1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 lemon, halved
2/3 cup mayonnaise, preferably Hellmann's, Best Foods or homemade
1/4 cup sour cream or crème fraîche, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard or 1 teaspoon brine from a jar of pickles, optional
2 or 3 pale green celery ribs, cut into medium (1/4-inch) dice
1/2 cup minced onion or finely sliced scallion, optional
1/2 cup walnut or pecan halves, broken into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, parsley, or chives, plus extra for garnish
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Choose a heavy pot or Dutch oven with a tightfitting lid. It should be large enough to hold the chicken snugly, but not much bigger. Fill pot about 2/3 full with cold water, but don't put the chicken in yet. Boil some extra water in a teakettle.
  • Add scallions and peppercorns to water, cover and bring to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and slip chicken pieces into the hot water. If needed, add boiling water from the kettle to cover chicken with water by 2 inches. Replace the lid and let chicken rest in the hot water for about 2 hours. Do not turn the flame back on: The pot will retain enough heat to cook chicken thoroughly and safely. (To test, cut into 1 piece of chicken and check the meat near the bone. If it is still pink, return the pot to low heat, bring the water to a simmer and simmer 10 minutes more.)
  • Lift chicken out of the pot. Remove and discard bones, skin and fat. Pat the meat dry with paper towels, then cut or shred into small bite-size pieces and transfer to a bowl. (Meanwhile, simmer cooking liquid until tasty, strain and refrigerate or freeze to use as chicken stock.)
  • In a bowl, whisk together juice of 1/2 lemon, mayonnaise and sour cream. If using, whisk in mustard or brine. Taste and adjust the seasonings and thickness to your liking. Pour over chicken, scraping the bowl clean with a rubber spatula.
  • Add celery, onion if using, nuts, herbs and salt and pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with herbs before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1112, UnsaturatedFat 54 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 77 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 96 grams, SaturatedFat 18 grams, Sodium 1300 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams

BEST CHICKEN SALAD EVER I



Best Chicken Salad Ever I image

This is the result of a day at home with my brother and nothing to do. We decided to create a new lunch. Serve on rolls or sandwich bread; this is especially nice if you toast the bread, or use a flavorful whole-grain bread. The chicken can be substituted with turkey, and the ingredients can be rearranged to suit differing tastes. Enjoy!

Provided by STORMWALKER

Categories     Salad

Time 10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (5 ounce) can chunk chicken, drained and flaked
2 tablespoons creamy salad dressing
1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
1 large apple, cored and diced
1 cup chopped pecans
½ stalk celery, chopped
⅔ cup raisins
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Mix chicken, creamy salad dressing, pickle relish, apple, pecans, celery, and raisins together in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 253.4 calories, Carbohydrate 22.9 g, Cholesterol 16.2 mg, Fat 16.4 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 7.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 169.9 mg, Sugar 16.2 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the salad will be. Use fresh, organic chicken, celery, and grapes. Choose a mayonnaise that you like the taste of and make sure it is fresh.
  • Cook the chicken perfectly: The chicken should be cooked through but not dry. If you are using a rotisserie chicken, make sure to remove the skin and bones before shredding it.
  • Chop the ingredients evenly: This will help to ensure that the salad has a consistent texture. You can use a food processor to chop the celery and grapes, but be careful not to over-process them.
  • Mix the ingredients gently: Over-mixing the salad will make it mushy. Use a light touch when mixing the ingredients together.
  • Season the salad to taste: Add salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings to taste. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dollop of Dijon mustard for extra flavor.
  • Chill the salad before serving: This will help to allow the flavors to meld together and make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

This classic chicken salad recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and versatile flavor, it is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy lunch or dinner, give this chicken salad recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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