Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
This Classic Chicken Salad is a versatile and delicious dish made with tender cooked chicken, crisp celery, and a creamy dressing featuring mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice. It’s perfect for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or served on its own as a light meal or snack. Optional additions like fresh herbs, fruits, and nuts add extra flavor and texture, making this salad both satisfying and refreshing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (assuming pre-cooked chicken)
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced grapes or chopped apples
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Add chicken and vegetables: Add the chopped or shredded cooked chicken, finely chopped celery, and diced red onion to the bowl with the dressing.
- Incorporate optional ingredients: If desired, fold in fresh herbs like dill or parsley, sliced grapes or chopped apples for sweetness, and chopped nuts for crunch.
- Combine thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together until the chicken and mix-ins are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill to blend flavors: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the chicken salad chilled as a sandwich filling, inside crisp lettuce leaves for a wrap, or enjoy it simply on its own as a refreshing meal.
Notes
- For a healthier option, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or light mayonnaise.
- Add chopped nuts sparingly if serving to those with nut allergies.
- Use freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken for the best texture and flavor.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For added zest, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice and mustard to taste for preferred tanginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1.2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Chicken salad, classic chicken salad, easy chicken salad recipe, healthy chicken salad, sandwich filling, summer salad
Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/classic-chicken-salad-recipe/
