Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

A bowl of classic chicken salad with chopped celery and onions is served alongside assorted crackers on a white plate.

5 from 1 vote

This easy chicken salad recipe is creamy, fresh, and perfect for sandwiches, wraps, crackers, or meal prep lunches. Rotisserie chicken makes it extra quick and flavorful, but any cooked chicken works great for this deli-style chicken salad.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Lunch, Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: cups

Calories: 184kcal

Author: Traci

Equipment

Ingredients

4 cups Cooked Chicken chopped or shredded (about 1 pound)
1 Celery Rib finely diced (about ½ cup)
½ medium Red Onion finely diced (about ½ cup)
⅓ cup Mayonnaise or more to taste
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice or vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Instructions

Add the CHICKEN, CELERY, RED ONION, MAYONNAISE, LEMON JUICE, and DIJON to a mixing bowl.
Add SALT and BLACK PEPPER to taste.
Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Video

Notes

Adjust the Creaminess: Rotisserie chicken tends to be moister and more flavorful, so you may need less mayonnaise. Add more mayonnaise as needed, depending on the type of cooked chicken you use and your preferred texture.

Greek Yogurt Option: Replace part or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter chicken salad with added tang and protein.

Serving Ideas: Serve chicken salad on croissants, sandwich bread, crackers, lettuce wraps, or over greens.

Freezing: Chicken salad is not recommended for freezing because the texture can become watery after thawing.

Nutrition