5 from 2 votes

Classic Chicken Salad

ByStacie Vaughan On May 9, 2022August 15, 2024 Updated August 15, 2024

This Classic Chicken Salad is so creamy with a bit of crunch. This made from scratch lunch recipe is easy to make and so delicious. Serve as a salad, sandwich or on a wrap.

This easy recipe is a go-to whenever I have leftover chicken. Everyone in my family loves chicken salad sandwiches. They make a hearty and delicious lunch and are perfect to bring to work or school.

I’m partial to my recipe. I love the combination of mayonnaise and wholegrain mustard in the creamy dressing. It makes a super flavorful chicken salad. Yum!

The great thing about this recipe is that you can switch out ingredients to make your own version based on your preferences.

Why You’ll Love This Best Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe

Great way to use up leftover chicken or even rotisserie chicken
Classic recipe everyone loves
Many different ways to serve
Creamy and packed full of fresh ingredients
Perfect recipe for lunch
Can be made ahead

Ingredients

Cooked chicken – You can use chicken breasts, dark meat, leftover chicken, or rotisserie chicken. My favorite way is to use chicken breast meat.
Celery – Adds a fresh crunch.
Green onions – You can substitute fresh chives here if you like.
Mayonnaise – I use Hellmann’s mayonnaise.
Wholegrain mustard – I love the flavor and the texture.
Lemon juice – Fresh or bottled is fine.
Fresh dill – If you don’t have fresh dill, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of dried dill.
Salt and black pepper
Your favorite bread or buns

How to Make Classic Chicken Salad

Step One: In a large bowl, stir together chicken, celery and green onion.

Step Two: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, wholegrain mustard, fresh dill, salt and pepper.

Step Three: Add dressing to the chicken mixture and toss to cover. Chill until ready to serve.

Equipment Needed

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What to Serve with a Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich

Variations and Substitutions

Use diced red onion instead of green onions.
Use light mayonnaise instead of regular mayonnaise.
Try low-fat plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
Add 1/2 cup sour cream to make the dressing even creamier.
Add chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Use Dijon mustard instead of wholegrain mustard.
Replace the fresh dill with chopped fresh basil leaves.
Add 1/2 tsp of curry powder to the dressing ingredients.

A chicken salad sandwich stacked on a plate.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I Freeze?

You can, but it’s not recommended to freeze chicken salad because of the mayonnaise. Freezing will change the texture and it won’t be as yummy.

Can I Make Ahead?

Definitely! Prepare the chicken salad up to a day in advance and store, covered, in the fridge.

A stack of chicken salad sandwiches on a plate.

Add Ins for Easy Chicken Salad

Change up the taste by mixing in a few extra ingredients!

Seedless red grapes
A chopped tart apple like Granny Smith apples or Braeburn apples
Dried cranberries
Sweet fruits like mandarin oranges
Almonds or cashews
Berry preserves or jam
Crumbled bacon
Raisins
Chopped hardboiled eggs
Crunchy veggies like carrots, radishes, cucumber

How to Serve

In a bowl on its own
On a bed of lettuce or salad greens
In a lettuce wrap
Whole grain bread
In pita bread
In a tortilla wrap
On a bun

A hand holding a chicken salad sandwich.

Must Try Sandwiches

You’ll also like this Greek Chicken Salad, Mustard Chicken Salad, Hot Chicken Salad, Chicken Salad with Grapes, Taco Chicken Salad and Chicken BLT Salad.

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