Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a classic go-to recipe for afternoon brunches, gatherings, and even for holiday potluck dinners. If you and your family enjoy cool chicken salads, this is a recipe you can’t pass up. The creamy may and mixture of flavor combinations is sure to impress! You can even add this simple chicken salad meal into your weekly cooking routine—especially if you want to serve your family healthy recipes as often as possible.

While many chicken salad recipes are the same, this one is the best chicken salad recipe I’ve come across and made. It’s a delicious add-on as a side or it can be eaten on its own, whichever you prefer. You can also store and save this salad in your refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it perfect if you abide by a more hectic lifestyle and schedule.

This easy chicken salad for beginners is a quick and straightforward recipe that’s perfect for a healthy, fast lunch. You can even serve this as a tasty appetizer or as a side dish with your favorite baked chicken Schnitzel or ranch chicken wraps!

Plus, this salad is a healthy chicken salad version that is both rich and creamy. A winner across the board!

If you love chicken for lunch or dinner in your home, you are going to absolutely appreciate this easy chicken salad recipe.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This quick chicken salad recipe is traditional, tested, tried, and true. Chicken salad is a classic treat that’s perfect for just about any time of day or even as an appetizer at a holiday gathering!
• You can mix and match ingredients in this chicken salad, making it entirely your own.
• If you have picky eaters, it’s possible to swap the ingredients to suit your household’s preferences or any dietary restrictions you may have.
• This chicken salad is perfect if you’re looking for something fast, delicious, and nutritious for the whole family to enjoy.

Cook time: 5 minutes | Servings: 5

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded

1 C dried cranberries

1 C chopped pecans

1 C almond slivers

⅓ C light mayo

½ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp kosher salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

For more homemade chicken salad ideas, try substituting ingredients to make this chicken uniquely your own.

Rotisserie chicken: Swap the rotisserie chicken with home-cooked chicken thighs. You can also use breasts, although chicken thighs and rotisserie chicken are known for their juiciness and tenderness.

Cranberries: You can choose to incorporate raisins or another type of berry you’re craving if you don’t have cranberries or if you’re not a fan. You can completely forego the cranberries to make this dish heartier and more on the savory side.

Pecans and almond slivers: Swap the almonds and pecans for chopped walnuts for another classic version of this chicken salad. Test different nuts and textures to find the perfect addition for your chicken salad.

Light mayo: While this recipe calls for light or reduced-fat mayo, you can use full-fat mayo. Keep in mind that full fat may add more fat and calories to this dish. However, the majority of the ingredients in this chicken salad are completely healthy and nutritious.

How to Make It

Step 1. In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, cranberries, pecans, almonds, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Take your time to ensure your chicken is properly shredded and separated before adding it to the mixture of ingredients. You’ll also want to finely chop your pecans and almonds to your desired size and texture.

Keep in mind that if you do not chop your almonds and pecans, the entire texture of the dish will change. You can mix it up each time you prepare this chicken salad to see what works best for you and your household!

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Step 2. Mix in the light mayo until combined. You can use full fat mayo instead, depending on your preferences.

Step 3. Enjoy! Yes, it really is just that simple! With the use of the rotisserie chicken, you’ll save plenty of time on preparing this salad so you can enjoy it as quickly as possible!

Yum!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Tips for Success

Chop cranberries, pecans, and almonds together in advance to the size that works for you. Some folks prefer to use whole pecans, cranberries, and almond slivers. If you don’t have access to almond slivers, we highly recommend finely chopping your almonds as best as possible.

Storage and Reheating

You can store and refrigerate this family friendly chicken salad for up to 4 days in your refrigerator once you’re done mixing the ingredients together. We recommend doing so in an airtight container or Tupperware designed for freshness and preservation.

There is no need to reheat this dish, as chicken salad is best served cold. This makes this recipe perfect for storing and enjoying it during the week or holiday season! You can simply remove the mixture from your refrigerator and enjoy.

It is possible to freeze this chicken salad in a standard freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw before eating!

Serving Suggestions

Try serving this hearty, nutritious chicken salad alongside Grandma’s buttermilk cornbread or try our homemade Southern skillet cornbread recipe!

You can also add your favorite raisins, craisins, or different fruits to this salad, depending on what you’re craving. The chicken and mayo mixture is the perfect foundation for an array of flavors. Even if you have picky eaters in the home, you can swap just about any ingredient this recipe calls for to make it work.

Notes

If you love a classic, homemade chicken salad, but you’ve never tried one on your own, don’t pass this one up! This recipe will open a world of flavor combinations and possibilities if you’re a fan of easy, quick, cool chicken appetizers and meals!