1. Can Chicken Salad Be Made Ahead of Time?

Yes, chicken salad can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and stir it before serving to refresh the texture.

2. What’s the Healthiest Way to Make Chicken Salad?

Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or avocado for a lower-fat option. Add plenty of fresh vegetables and use lean chicken breast for a nutrient-packed dish.

3. Can Chicken Salad Be Frozen?

Mayonnaise-based chicken salad doesn’t freeze well, as the dressing tends to separate. If you need to freeze it, opt for a vinaigrette-based version instead.

4. What Are the Best Cuts of Chicken for Salad?

Poached chicken breasts provide a tender, mild flavor, while rotisserie chicken offers convenience and a slightly seasoned taste.

1 Best Chicken Salad Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Description

This Best Chicken Salad recipe is creamy, flavorful, and incredibly versatile! Packed with tender chicken, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and a zesty mayo-based dressing, it’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Serve it as a sandwich, on a bed of greens, or with crackers for a quick, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (about 2 large chicken breasts)
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (optional, for tanginess)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey (optional, for sweetness)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup red grapes, halved
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons sliced almonds or chopped walnuts (optional, for crunch)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
Add the cooked chicken, grapes, celery, red onion (if using), parsley, and almonds/walnuts to the bowl.
Gently toss everything together until evenly coated in the dressing. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Serve as a sandwich, wrap, on a salad, or with crackers.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and flavorful option.
Substitute Greek yogurt for all the mayonnaise for a lighter version.
Add dried cranberries or raisins for a sweeter twist.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (uses pre-cooked chicken)
Category: Lunch
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup per serving (makes 6 servings).
Calories: 250
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: Best Chicken Salad