Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

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Chicken salad is one of those anytime salads that seems to put a smile on anyone’s face. It’s also one of those recipes that you can make any way you want.

Whether you’re looking for an easy lunch or a high-protein snack, chicken salad is always a perfect choice!

Chicken salad in a turquoise bowl, on a white plate and surrounded by pita chips

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Traditional chicken salad usually includes mayonnaise as the creamy base—but the rest is up to you.

This recipe is a delightful take on a creamy chicken salad that lets you add your own twist to it, if you like.

But it’s so tasty with its distinctive tarragon as the herb of choice, you may just want to keep it as is!

Chicken salad in a turquoise bowl, on a white plate and surrounded by pita chips

What You Need

Here is what you will need from the store. The exact amounts are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Kitchen Tools

Chicken salad in a turquoise bowl, on a white plate and surrounded by pita chips

Ingredients:

Chicken Salad Tips

Even though this is one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make, here are some tips that will help you make the tastiest chicken salad every single time.

Precooked chicken, cut into small pieces on a wooden cutting board

Use Rotisserie Chicken

To make this recipe super easy and quick to fix, simply pick up rotisserie chicken from your local market—or use leftover roasted or grilled chicken breast. The extra seasoning on it can make this chicken salad extra tasty, too.

Alternatively, you can make the chicken for this chicken salad recipe from scratch.

In fact, we have a recipe for low-sodium chicken breast that is perfect for chicken salad!

Toast The Almonds

Want to add your own personal touch to this chicken salad?

Pan-toast sliced almonds or choose roasted rather than raw pistachios, walnuts or pecans.

Ingredients required to make our easy chicken salad recipe, laid out on a wooden cutting board

Best Veggies To Add

For extra crunch, consider including finely diced red onion, celery, fennel, or bell pepper.

And if you want it to be spicier, add jalapeno peppers.

Ingredients required to make our easy chicken salad recipe, laid out on a wooden cutting board

Add Fruit

For fruity flair, add sliced grapes, finely diced apples, or dried fruit bits. For more of a savory take, stir in sliced scallions, pickles, or a small dollop of Dijon mustard.

Egg and Chicken Salad

Or for an extra punch of protein, add diced hard-boiled egg.

By the way, if you do choose to personalize this recipe, please don’t try all of these additions at once, or you’ll likely end up with a very odd chicken salad concoction!

Adding mayonnaise to chopped chicken in a glass bowl, mixed with a spoon

Serve As A Dip

You don’t always have to serve this chicken salad the same way either. You can enjoy it as is along with some whole grain crackers. For fun, serve in a lettuce or bell pepper cup. Enjoy as a sandwich with rye or pumpernickel bread or a croissant. Or go open-face and serve on whole grain toast.

If you go with the classic croissant for this sandwich, you can use the leftover bread to make croissant french toast with strawberries.

Adding mayonnaise to chopped chicken in a glass bowl, mixed with a spoon

How To Store Chicken Salad

You can make the chicken salad in advance and store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Stir in the nuts just before serving so they stay crunchy.

A close up of a serving of chicken salad, with a pita dip in it

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More Serving Ideas

Here are some more ways to prepare and serve the chicken salad. Toast a pice of bread, add fresh nuts and herbs on top and serve it open-faced.

A close up of a serving of chicken salad, with a pita dip in it
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Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

Print Recipe
This easy chicken salad recipe is perfect for lunch or a snack.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:1 minute
Total Time:11 minutes

SERVINGS

4

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cubed pre-cooked, boneless skinless chicken breast, chilled
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
  • 1/4 cup sliced or chopped almonds pistachios, walnuts, or pecans

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, stir together the chicken, mayonnaise, tarragon, vinegar, and salt until evenly combined.
  • When ready to serve, stir in the nuts. Adjust seasoning.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 1066mg | Potassium: 6mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Course: Main Course, Salad
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 251kcal

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