Best Chicken Salad (with Video)
This is the ultimate Chicken Salad recipe! We call this ‘fancy’ Chicken Salad because of the dressing, grapes, and pecans, but it’s truly easy. This is a fresher and lightened-up version of classic chicken salad, and it’s perfect as a side dish, main course, or for meal prep. It’s especially easy if you use leftover rotisserie chicken.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Chicken Salad
I’ve made and tasted more chicken salads than I can count, and after years of tweaking, this is the one! It has a creamy dressing, but it feels so light and bright because of the lemon and fresh herbs in the dressing. The combination of sweet and savory flavors and different textures makes this salad exciting and one you’ll make on repeat. This is my go-to lunch salad during busy work days, and it never disappoints. Plus, there are so many ways to serve and keep it exciting (see my serving suggestions below).
We love protein-packed salads like our Chicken Avocado Salad, Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad, and Cobb Salad. This creamy chicken salad is really the best combination of chicken salad and Waldorf salad that will become a go-to for lunch. As a busy working mom, I always appreciate quick and easy lunch ideas.
We love protein-packed salads like our Chicken Avocado Salad, Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad, and Cobb Salad. This creamy chicken salad is really the best combination of chicken salad and Waldorf salad that will become a go-to for lunch. As a busy working mom, I always appreciate quick and easy lunch ideas.
Ingredients for Easy Chicken Salad
The 5 ingredients in this chicken salad are so simple, but each one is important for the best taste, texture, and color.
Chicken – we use 2 large chicken breasts from a whole roasted chicken, but you can use rotisserie chicken, Baked Chicken Breast, or sauteed chicken breasts instead. Dark-meat chicken, like our quick-cooking Air Fryer Chicken Thighs will also work.
Celery – adds a great crunch to the salad and lightens up the flavor (if you aren’t a fan of celery, we can still be friends! See variations below).
Grapes – add sweet juiciness to the salad. Just like in our Broccoli Grape Salad, the grapes are a refreshing addition and make the salad feel ‘fancy.’
Pecans – we toasted nuts on a dry skillet to give them even more flavor.
Red onion – finely chop half of a medium red onion, or you can add red onion to taste. You can also substitute for chopped green onion, but red onion keeps better when refrigerated.
Chicken Salad Variations
Nuts – swap out pecans for walnuts, almonds, or cashews, or leave them out altogether.
Fruit – try diced apples or pears or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.
Onion – try sweet Vidalia onion, or chives instead
Celery – replace with diced green apple, bell pepper or seeded diced cucumber.
Canned Chicken – you can use canned chicken, but fresh cooked chicken will have the best texture in salad.
The Best Chicken Salad Dressing
This is similar to the dressing from my popular Broccoli Apple Salad. It’s creamy and tangy, and adding sour cream makes it lighter than just using mayo.
Chicken – we use 2 large chicken breasts from a whole roasted chicken, but you can use rotisserie chicken, Baked Chicken Breast, or sauteed chicken breasts instead. Dark-meat chicken, like our quick-cooking Air Fryer Chicken Thighs will also work.
Celery – adds a great crunch to the salad and lightens up the flavor (if you aren’t a fan of celery, we can still be friends! See variations below).
Grapes – add sweet juiciness to the salad. Just like in our Broccoli Grape Salad, the grapes are a refreshing addition and make the salad feel ‘fancy.’
Pecans – we toasted nuts on a dry skillet to give them even more flavor.
How to Make Chicken Salad
This easy chicken salad comes together so fast in one bowl, which is why it’s the ideal lunch option.
Chicken – we use 2 large chicken breasts from a whole roasted chicken, but you can use rotisserie chicken, Baked Chicken Breast, or sauteed chicken breasts instead. Dark-meat chicken, like our quick-cooking Air Fryer Chicken Thighs will also work.
Celery – adds a great crunch to the salad and lightens up the flavor (if you aren’t a fan of celery, we can still be friends! See variations below).
Grapes – add sweet juiciness to the salad. Just like in our Broccoli Grape Salad, the grapes are a refreshing addition and make the salad feel ‘fancy.’
Grapes – add sweet juiciness to the salad. Just like in our Broccoli Grape Salad, the grapes are a refreshing addition and make the salad feel ‘fancy.’
Pecans – we toasted nuts on a dry skillet to give them even more flavor.
Red onion – finely chop half of a medium red onion, or you can add red onion to taste. You can also substitute for chopped green onion, but red onion keeps better when refrigerated.
