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Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

Robyn Stone

Published Sep 01, 2023

This Classic Chicken Salad recipe is made with tender chicken, creamy mayonnaise, lemon juice, crunchy celery, and is ready in minutes!

Perfect for lunch or an easy dinner the whole family will love, this classic chicken salad recipe comes together from the fridge to the table in less than 15 minutes. It is an all-time favorite!

Classic chicken salad on a white plate with slice of tomato, lettuce, and a fork with a bite of chicken salad. - 1

How to Make the BEST Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Meal Prep Tip!
Storage Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

How to Make the BEST Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

Served on a bed of lettuce, in a wrap, or as a sandwich, chicken salad is always a favorite!

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

Chicken – use your favorite type of cooked chicken in this recipe. I love to use cooked shredded chicken and my homemade rotisserie chicken . Both are so tender and delicious! You can also use your favorite store-bought rotisserie chicken in a pinch.
Mayonnaise – use your favorite mayonnaise or make a lightened-up chicken salad by using half or all Greek yogurt in place of the mayo.
Celery – diced celery adds crunch to the chicken salad and is delicious!
Green onions – a sliced green onion adds a little bit of something extra to the chicken salad. I highly recommend it, but if you do not care for onions, just omit it.
Lemon juice – fresh lemon juice adds brightness to the chicken salad and brings all of the flavors together.
Stone House Seasoning – my house blend of salt, black pepper, and garlic. It adds so much flavor to the chicken salad.

Optional Ingredients

Dill – I love the addition of dill to this chicken salad. If you have fresh or dried dill on hand, I highly recommend including it.
Nuts – if you’d like to add nuts, slivered almonds, toasted pecans , walnuts, and pistachios are always delicious.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.

Meal Prep Tip!

Make Classic Chicken Salad for quick and easy lunches or dinners on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, wrap, or as part of a salad!

Classic chicken salad on a sliced tomato and lettuce on a white plate. - 4

Storage Tips

To store. Chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To make ahead. Prepare the chicken salad and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To freeze. Since this classic chicken salad is made with mayonnaise, it does not freeze well. However, you can place all of the remaining ingredients for the chicken salad in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and add the mayonnaise when ready to serve.

If the prepared chicken salad includes mayonnaise, the texture of the chicken salad will be altered once frozen. See my To freeze suggestion in Storage Tips above.

Chicken salad is delicious served with fruit, a fruit salad , pasta salad , green salad , or even with raw vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, and broccoli. You can also make a chicken salad sandwich or chicken salad wrap.

Here’s my Classic Chicken Salad recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Equipment

Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups chicken , cooked and chopped
▢ 1/2 cup mayonnaise
▢ 1 stalk celery , diced
▢ 1 green onions , sliced
▢ 1 teaspoon lemon juice
▢ 1 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning
▢ 1 teaspoon fresh dill , optional

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and serve.

Notes

Storage Tips

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy! Robyn xo