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Creamy chicken salad with celery and red bell pepper, topped with chopped chives, served with sliced baguette and a lemon wedge.

Chicken Salad Recipe

Chef Julia
Make the best 10-minute chicken salad with this chicken salad recipe! A classic chicken salad with celery & simple ingredients. Perfect on lettuce!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken either diced chicken or shredded chicken. For ultimate speed, use rotisserie chicken. You can also poach skinless chicken breasts or bake chicken breasts if you prefer. Leftover chicken works perfectly here, making this a great way to use up a whole roasted chicken. If you're in a real pinch, using canned chicken is also an option, though fresh is always preferred for the best flavor.
  • 1/2 cup mayo. For a lighter tangier version, you can use Greek yogurt, or combine both for a balanced flavor and texture. For a healthy chicken salad, fat-free Greek yogurt is a good choice.
  • 1/4 cup celery finely diced. This adds a crucial crunch.
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely diced. If you want a milder flavor, green onion is a good substitute. Be sure to dice the onion small for even distribution.
  • 1/2 cup grape halved. Sweet grapes like red grapes or even juicy grapes add a lovely burst of sweetness. Sweet red grapes are a favorite.
  • 1/4 cup pecan chopped. Toasted pecans offer a deeper, nuttier flavor and extra crunch. If you don't have pecans, almond can also be used.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped. This herb adds a fresh, slightly tangy note.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped. Another essential fresh herbs for brightness.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens all the flavors.
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard or regular mustard. Dijon adds a subtle zing.
  • Salt and pepper to taste. You will want to season with salt and pepper carefully. Always add salt and pepper gradually until it tastes just right. You can add salt and pepper to taste at the end.

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Chicken: Your first step is to get your cooked chicken ready. If you're not starting with pre-cooked chicken, you'll need about 2-3 chicken breast halves. You can bake chicken breasts until cooked through, or you can poach chicken until tender. For the quickest option, use an air fryer to cook chicken. An air fryer chicken breast cooks fast and stays juicy. If you have leftover chicken, this is the perfect time to use it. A whole roasted chicken or even shredded chicken from a store-bought rotisserie chicken works wonderfully. If using a whole chicken, make sure to remove the chicken from the bones. Let the cooked chicken cool slightly before dicing. You want to dice the chicken into small, even pieces. Aim for tender chicken. If you use canned chicken, just drain it well.
  • Combine Ingredients: Now, get a large bowl. Add your diced chicken to the bowl. Then, add the mayo (or Greek yogurt, or both), the finely diced celery, and the finely diced red onion (or green onion). Next, add the halved grape (sweet grapes work great here), the chopped pecan, fresh dill, fresh parsley, lemon juice, and dijon mustard.
  • Mix Well: Gently stir all the ingredients together. Use a spoon or spatula to mix until everything is well combined. Make sure the mayo or yogurt evenly coats all the pieces of chicken breast, vegetables, and fruits. You want the salad to be creamy and uniform.
  • Season: This is where you adjust the taste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Start with a small amount of salt and pepper, then taste the salad. If it needs more, add a little at a time until the flavors are just right. You want to add salt and pepper to enhance all the other ingredients.
  • Chill: For the best flavor, let the chicken salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. This chilling time helps the flavors blend and develop fully. If you are really short on time, you can eat it right away. The salad will stay fresh. Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This salad in an airtight container keeps well for several days

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated)
Please note that these are estimates and can vary based on exact brands and quantities of ingredients used.
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Fat: 20g
    • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
    • Fiber: 2g
    • Sugars: 6g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Vitamin A: 5% Daily Value (DV)
  • Vitamin C: 15% DV
  • Calcium: 5% DV
  • Iron: 10% DV
Keyword Chicken salad, easy, grapes, Greek yogurt, healthy, high protein, Lemon Sandwich Cookies, lunch, meal prep, quick, rotisserie chicken, sandwich