5 from 2 votes

Classic Chicken Salad

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.

A bowl of classic chicken salad.


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.

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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
Ingredients to make classic chicken salad.

How to Make Classic Chicken Salad

  • Step One: In a large bowl, stir together chicken, celery and green onion.
Steps to make classic chicken salad.
  • Step Two: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, wholegrain mustard, fresh dill, salt and pepper.
Steps to make classic chicken salad.
  • Step Three: Add dressing to the chicken mixture and toss to cover. Chill until ready to serve.
Steps to make classic chicken salad.

Equipment Needed

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    What to Serve with a Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich

    A bowl of classic chicken salad.

    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 Mustard Chicken Salad, Hot Chicken Salad, Chicken Salad with Grapes, Taco Chicken Salad and Chicken BLT Salad.

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    If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

    5 from 2 votes

    Classic Chicken Salad

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 4
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    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.

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 cups chicken cooked, shredded
    • cup celery chopped
    • ¼ cup green onions sliced
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • ½ tbsp fresh dill chopped
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp pepper

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, stir together chicken, celery and green onion.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, wholegrain mustard, fresh dill, salt and pepper.
    • Add dressing to the chicken mixture and toss to cover. Chill until ready to serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 26g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 725mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Keyword best chicken salad, chicken salad sandwich

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    Recipe Rating




    One Comment

    1. 5 stars
      Delicious salad. Very fresh tasting.

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