Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (2024)

Light and creamy chicken salad made with cooked or canned chicken, red onion, crisp celery, and just the right amount of seasoning, Best Chicken Salad Ever is our version of this family favorite recipe!

I have been blessed to have had some really fantastic everyday recipes shared with me over the years and this is one of them. This recipe for the Best Chicken Salad Ever is in regular rotation in our house because it is so versatile!

Delicious as a sandwich, in a wrap, and even on it’s own right out of the bowl, this is less expensive than the deli version and super easy to make. If you haven’t tried it, you really should. It could become a new favorite in your house too.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Weight Watchers Points = 3 per serving (Point Breakdown in Recipe Notes)

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (1)

A NOTE ABOUT A Lighter Take on this Classic Favorite

We have made this recipe literally hundreds of times with great results. When we started making healthier changes to our eating habits, we lightened up the recipe buy making just two small changes, substituting light sour cream and light mayonnaise.

These changes didn’t seem to change the taste at all but they substantially changed the amount of calories and fat in the recipe. When counting Weight Watchers points, these small changes brought the points down from 11 points per serving to only 3 points per serving and it is still delicious!

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (2)

How to Make The Best Chicken Salad Ever

One day I was making Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip and the recipe called for pre-made chicken salad from the deli. When I arrived at the grocery store to pick some up the price was a LOT higher than I was expecting to pay.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the convenience of pre-made, but since it is literally made up of leftover chicken and pantry staples I have a really hard time paying that much for it. So I didn’t.

This recipe for the Best Chicken Salad Ever came from a friend who answered the call when I put a plea out on Facebook for a good chicken salad recipe. She often used leftover rotisserie chicken when she made it but since I didn’t have any leftover chicken I thought I would try to make it with canned chicken from Costco. And it was amazing. Simple and so good. And a new favorite recipe was born.

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (3)

To make the BEST chicken salad ever – start with shredding or chopping three cups of cooked chicken.

If you are using the Costco canned chicken (two 12.5 ounce cans), drain, put into a bowl and shred with a fork.

Add 1/4 cup of chopped red onion and stir.

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (4)

Add celery, lemon juice, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt and pepper and stir to combine well.

Chill until ready to use. That’s all there is to it!

As mentioned previously you can use this to make Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip or you can just make some pretty fantastic little sandwiches. You can also serve it with crackers, on a salad, or just eat it with a fork. It is THAT good without the crazy price tag at the grocery store deli. Enjoy!

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (5)

Other Favorite Recipes You May Like

Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip – The recipe that started it all! This Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip uses Deli chicken salad to add a delicious twist to a potluck favorite!

Bite Sized Sausage Rolls – the BEST bite sized sausage rolls that I have ever tasted. Yum.

Party Pretzel Bites – these delicious little bites are addictive and always welcomed at any gathering.

Quick and Easy Bruschetta – restaurant quality Bruschetta is hiding in the ingredients in your refrigerator!

Easy Homemade Ranch Dip – just seven simple pantry ingredients to create a delicious and easy Homemade Ranch Dip!

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (6)

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (7)

Best Chicken Salad Ever

Light and creamy Best Chicken Salad Ever is made with chicken, red onion, crisp celery, and just the right amount of seasoning!

4.95 from 18 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 cups

Calories: 639kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked chicken (leftover shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken or 2 cans Costco canned chicken)
  • 1/4 cup red onion
  • 2 pieces of celery (including leafy tops) chopped, about one cup
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Finely chop red onion and celery.

  • In a medium bowl, break up, finely chop or shred the chicken.

  • Add chopped onion and celery, lemon juice, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt and pepper and stir to combine.

  • Chill until ready to use. Enjoy!

Notes

This is delicious on it’s own – pecans or walnuts can be added if not using for the Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe. Also makes excellent sandwiches and cracker spread.

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (8)

Nutrition *

Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 27g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 853mg | Potassium: 381mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 157IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

* The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.

Have you tried this recipe? Post a pic and mention @TheRecipeBandit or tag #therecipebandit!

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (9)

  • Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (10)

    Michelle Mundy

    As a busy working mom with kids on the go, I know how important it is to be able to make simple and delicious meals using everyday ingredients. The recipes shared here are family friendly with easy to understand step by step instructions. Tried and true, from our family to yours. Welcome to The Recipe Bandit! Click here to read more about me.

54K Shares

Best Chicken Salad Ever ~ The Recipe Bandit (2024)

FAQs

What is classic Carol chicken salad chick? ›

Classic Carol

All white meat, shredded chicken, finely minced celery, mayonnaise, & our secret seasoning.

What are the main ingredients for chicken salad? ›

Who started putting grapes in chicken salad? ›

The chicken salad that's beloved today originated in Wakefield, Rhode Island. In 1863, Liam Gray, founder of Town Meats, was the first to mix leftover chicken with grapes, mayonnaise and tarragon. From then on, chicken salad was a hit, and Town Meats turned the salad into something of a delicacy.

What makes chicken salad spoil? ›

The Importance of Proper Storage and Temperature

Leaving chicken salad at room temperature for even a few hours allows bacteria to multiply, increasing the risk of food poisoning. Never, ever leave your chicken salad out on a hot day. This is just asking for trouble!

How does Paula Deen make chicken salad? ›

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and pepper. Gently fold in the chicken, grapes, celery, onion and almonds. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Serve on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato.

What is Sassy Scotty at Chicken Salad Chick? ›

It is a delicious chicken salad that is loaded with ranch, bacon, cheddar, and more! This copycat Chicken Salad Chick sassy scotty goes great on toast, with crackers, or on a salad.

What kind of chicken does chicken salad chick use? ›

Our chicken salads are made fresh in-house every morning using premium chicken tenderloin, sweet and savory ingredients, and our secret blend of spices and seasonings—you won't find frozen or packaged around here.

What are the ingredients in Golden Chick chicken salad? ›

Our chicken salad has fresh celery, walnuts and hand-cut grapes, plus the best Golden Chick chicken. Put that atop fresh lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots and cheese, and you've got the perfect salad.

How to make bland chicken salad taste better? ›

Add minced fresh herbs like parsley, chives, basil, or tarragon. Add fresh grapes for juicy little bursts of flavor. Add cooked pasta to stretch the chicken salad into a larger meal. (You'll have to increase the amount of mayonnaise mixture to cover the pasta.)

Who invented the Jennifer Aniston salad? ›

Jennifer Aniston's Salad refers to the one she ate while at the set of FRIENDS. She says that it's a cobb salad made at the commissary that they “basically butchered.” She added more ingredients to make it tastier, basically. It's actually a salad with lots of ingredients and the flavour is incredible.

Why is chicken salad pink? ›

Older animals have a fat layer under their skin, giving the flesh added protection from the gases. Older poultry may be pink in spots where fat is absent from the skin. Also, nitrates and nitrites, which are often used as preservatives or may occur naturally in the feed or water supply used, can cause a pink color.

What goes well with chicken salad sandwiches? ›

What to Serve With Chicken Salad Sandwiches - 12 Tasty Sides
  • Meat. • 1 Bacon potato soup.
  • Produce. • 1 Peach iced tea. • 1 Vegetable platter.
  • Canned Goods. • 1 Butternut squash soup.
  • Condiments. • 1 Dill pickles.
  • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 Baguette.
  • Dairy. • 1 Cheese platter.
  • Deli. • 1 Ambrosia fruit salad. • 1 Fruit salad. ...
  • Other. • Chips.

What should you not do in the preparation of chicken salad? ›

To ensure that your chicken salad tastes the way that it should, you should avoid using overcooked or dry chicken in your recipe. Unfortunately, as we cook chicken, the moisture of the bird slowly evaporates.

What is the danger zone for chicken salad? ›

Control time and temperature.

Foodborne illness- causing microorganisms grow and multiply at temperatures between 41˚F and 135˚F (5˚C and 57˚C). This range is known as the temperature danger zone.

What causes food poisoning in chicken salad? ›

This is mainly due to two types of bacteria, Campylobacter and Salmonella, which are commonly found in the guts and feathers of these birds. These bacteria often contaminate fresh poultry meat during the slaughtering process, and they can survive up until cooking kills them ( 1 , 2 ).

How many calories are in classic Carol Chicken Salad Chick? ›

Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol Chicken Salad (4 oz) contains 0g total carbs, 0g net carbs, 35g fat, 16g protein, and 400 calories.

What kind of chicken does Chicken Salad Chick use? ›

Our chicken salads are made fresh in-house every morning using premium chicken tenderloin, sweet and savory ingredients, and our secret blend of spices and seasonings—you won't find frozen or packaged around here.

Why is it called Chicken Salad Chick? ›

When Upton told Brown she wasn't allowed to run the business from her kitchen, the decision to open a take-out place was made. Stacy's late husband and co-founder, Kevin Brown, came up with the idea she should name the chicken salad flavors after real women in Kevin & Stacy's lives, hence the “chicks”.

What kind of chicken does Chick Fil A Market salad use? ›

Sliced grilled chicken breast served on a fresh bed of mixed greens, topped with crumbled blue cheese and a mix of red and green apples, strawberries and blueberries. Prepared fresh daily.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6456

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.