My quick and easy classic chicken salad recipe, healthier and easier to make the perfect homemade chicken salad sandwich. The perfect cold lunch for meal prep!
Easy chicken salad recipe
This classic chicken salad recipe made with simple ingredients is perfect for a lunch ahead of time. There are so many ways to eat it, e.g. B. as a chicken salad sandwich, on a bagel, over a salad or in salad wraps. It’s my favorite weeknight lunch to refrigerate or take out, and it’s dairy-free, gluten-free, high-protein, and low-carb. Some more of my favorite healthy chicken salad recipes include Cilantro Chicken Salad, Ranch Chicken Salad, and Chicken Salad with Lemon and Dill.
Chicken salad is also a great way to use up the leftover chicken breast from a whole roast chicken.
Classic ingredients for chicken salad
- Chicken: Chop 12 ounces cooked chicken breasts from 1 whole roast chicken. You can also use fried chicken to save time.
- Mayonnaise: I use light mayonnaise to reduce calories, but feel free to use your favorite mayonnaise.
- Celery: Chop celery for some crunch and veggies.
- Red onion: Swap out red onions for spring onions or chives.
- Chicken soup: If the chicken salad is a little dry, stir in 2 tablespoons of the broth.
- Dijon mustard for a little whiff
- seasoned salt and black pepper for taste
How to make chicken salad
Chicken salad is really easy to make. Remove the chicken breasts from the fried chicken and finely chop with the vegetables, then mix in the mayonnaise, celery, onion, Dijon mustard, some chicken stock if needed, and salt and pepper to taste.
How to serve with chicken salad
Here are some ways to serve this chicken salad.
- wraps with whole wheat or grain-free tortillas
- bagels: I love all bagels with chicken salad!
- Breadlike these high-protein oatmeal rolls or your favorite sandwich bread
- Lettuce Wraps for a low carb option.
- Charcoal wraps are another healthy low-carb option.
- Salad: Eat the chicken salad over lettuce and add other veggies like avocado, cucumber, or cherry tomatoes.
How Long Does Homemade Chicken Salad Keep?
Homemade chicken salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4 days.
Chicken Salad Variations
- Mayo Swap: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or use half yogurt, half mayonnaise.
- Add some diced apples or Grapes for sweetness and crunch.
- you can add nuts such as almonds, walnuts or pecans.
- Interfere dried cranberries or cherries for a touch of sweetness.
- Add to some chopped cucumbers for a sour bite.
- Herbs: Sprinkle with fresh dill, spring onions or parsley.
- Add more seasonings like any bagel seasoning, onion powder, or garlic powder.
What do I do if my chicken salad is too dry?
Since I use less mayo than most traditional chicken salad recipes to keep it light, I like to add a little chicken broth to keep it moist without needing more mayo or yogurt. This is a great non-dairy option.
Another option is to add some non-fat Greek yogurt along with the mayonnaise, which also adds more protein.
More Chicken Salad Recipes You’ll Love
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Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
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Serve over a salad, in a wrap or in a sandwich
Last step:
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Calories: 131 kcal, Carbohydrates: 2 G, Protein: 18 G, Fat: 5 G, Saturated Fatty Acids: 1 G, Cholesterol: 50 mg, Sodium: 307 mg, Sugar: 1 G