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Make life a bit simpler with a quick and easy Classic Chicken Salad Recipe. This dish is made with all things delicious, from sweet relish and red onion to grapes and Greek yogurt. The 10 minute recipe serves a crowd of 12 and makes for an easy meal prep option!
An easy and quick classic chicken salad recipe
Let’s be honest โ we’re busy! And though busy can be a good thing, it can definitely make for tricky choices at meal time. Maybe you don’t feel like cooking after a long day of work, or you simply don’t have the time! When one of those scenarios feels like reality, a simple and low-prep meal is a must. That’s where this classic chicken salad recipe comes in!
This easy (and very quick to prepare dish) comes together in under 10 minutes and is so easy to whip up. It’s made with a blend of chicken, veggies, grapes, yogurt, mayo, and spices, and requires nothing more than a bit of dicing. If using uncooked chicken, that will add a bit of cooking time. I recommend prepping the chicken ahead of time or grabbing a rotisserie! More on that in a minute.
When all is said and done, this recipe yields 12 delicious servings of this chicken salad, perfect for enjoying as a quick meal or meal prepping for a couple days’ worth of work lunches!
Ingredients in this recipe for chicken salad
This dish comes together with the help of 11 ingredients including pantry staples like salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Chicken breasts: Classic chicken salad begins with a base of 3 large chicken breasts. This amount is going to help create 12 1/2 cup servings.
- Sweet relish: Our first flavoring is sweet relish! This adds a delicious, somewhat tangy flavor to the dish. Use 1/2 cup.
- Celery: Next up, add some crunch with 1 cup of diced celery.
- Red onion: Follow that with diced red onion. 1/2 of a medium onion is a good amount for this dish.
- Grapes: Next, 1 cup of sliced grapes add a touch of sweet flavor to the chicken salad. You can use red or green grapes โ up to you!
- Yogurt: Thicken up the dish by including 1 cup of 5% plain Greek yogurt. This tastes great alongside the grapes and other mix-ins.
- Mayonnaise: Follow the yogurt with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise. Any brand works!
- Dijon: Add a touch of flavor with 1 tbsp of dijon mustard.
- Salt and pepper: Follow the mustard with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of black pepper.
- Garlic powder: Last but not least, this dish is complete with the addition of 1/2 tsp of garlic powder!
Kitchen tools used to prepare relish and onion chicken salad
Making this dish requires minimal kitchen tools. Below is a list of everything you’ll need:
- Food processor
- Fork and plate (if shredding by hand)
- Large mixing bowl
- Stirring utensil
To measure out ingredients, you will need the following sized measuring cups: 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make this traditional chicken salad recipe
This recipe creates 12 hearty servings and is ready in less than 10 minutes if the chicken is already cooked. Here’s how it’s done!
First, finely shred the chicken by adding it to a food processor and pulsing for 10 seconds. Alternatively, you can shred the chicken by hand.
Add the shredded chicken to a large bowl, followed by the rest of the ingredients. Mix everything together until well combined.
Serve on bread, with chips, in a wrap, or on a salad.
Recipe Tips
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
You can! Though the ingredient list includes chicken breasts, a rotisserie chicken works just as well. This is a great idea, as it’s very easy to shred! It will save you any time you would’ve spent cooking the chicken breasts for this dish.
What do you eat with chicken salad?
There are so many dishes to pair with chicken salad. It just depends on your mood! Try it alongside a salad (Fresh Watermelon Salad with Feta, Cashew Crunch Salad, and Greek Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad all make delicious options).
You can also enjoy chicken salad alongside heartier sides like Mac and Cheese, Cornbread Sausage Stuffing, or even Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes!
What is the best way to eat classic chicken salad?
Chicken salad can be served as-is, or it can be enjoyed on bread for a chicken salad sandwich, on a wrap (or lettuce wrap!) for a low-cal option, or even on top of a salad!
Is chicken salad actually healthy?
Though all chicken salad recipes are made differently, this one falls on the lower-carb side, containing chicken, relish, celery, onion, grapes, yogurt, mayo, dijon, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. It is protein-packed and contains fiber and other vitamins. The bulk of the non-complex carbs will come from the Greek yogurt, with complex carbs coming from the grapes.
Storing leftovers
If you wind up with leftovers, be sure to promptly transfer them to an airtight container and then place them in the refrigerator. Enjoy within about 3 days.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
There are so many different ways to enjoy a chicken-based meal! Here are some additional recipes to try. The Cider Braised Chicken is a must!
- Cider Braised Chicken
- Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets
- Chicken Enchilada Skillet
- Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
Make life a bit simpler with a quick and easy Classic Chicken Salad Recipe. This dish is made with all things delicious, from sweet relish and red onion to grapes and Greek yogurt. The 10 minute recipe serves a crowd of 12 and makes for an easy meal prep option!
Ingredients
- 3 large cooked chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup sweet relish
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup sliced grapes
- 1 cup 5% plain greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp dijon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- To finely shred chicken, add to food processor and pulse for 10 seconds. Alternatively shred by hand.
- Add shredded chicken to a large bowl, and then add entire ingredient list. Mix all together until well combined.
- Serve on bread, with chips, in a wrap, or on a salad!
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Erin says
So easy to throw together and easily adaptable (I omit onions, cook chicken in IP then shred, etc). Packed with protein and easy to eat on busy days. My go to chicken salad recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Noelle says
Iโve never really been a chicken salad person, but after seeing it in your stories recently, I decided to give it a try. Worked perfect for lunches and my husband loved it too! Def adding to our rotation! โญ๏ธ
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Noelle, so happy you tired and both loved it!! ๐
Laura says
This is the BEST CHICKEN SALAD I have ever had/made. So delicious, and super super easy!!! Like it is next level, bomb.com, awesome!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Laura, so happy you enjoy it as much as I do! ๐
Laura Fiorello says
This is the BEST CHICKEN SALAD I have ever had/made. So delicious, and super super easy!!! Like it is next level, bomb.com, awesome!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Laura, so happy you love it so much! ๐
Casey says
Best ever chicken salad! I never liked chicken salad before because of all the mayo so I tried her recipe..now itโs in my lunch rotation at least 2 times a month!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Casey, so happy you love it so much! ๐
Erin says
This chicken salad is so good!! So easy to make. Will definitely last me all week for lunch. I used rotisserie chicken from Sam’s club and it worked perfect. Will definitely be making again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you loved it and great idea! ๐
Erin H says
Classic recipe but a great one!! Awesome for meal prepped lunches throughout the week.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you loved it! ๐
Abby says
This is the best! Had to try after seeing it on instagram. I was nervous about the yogurt maybe making it too yogurt-y, but it didnโt! Slam dunk recipe!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Abby, so happy you loved it!! ๐
Eliza G says
This is SO good. Used 2% Greek yog since the store didnโt have 5%, and still great. Flavor was better the second day after sitting in fridge in my opinion! Served on raisin toast and was DELISH. May add walnuts next time๐ thanks Erinโค๏ธ
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Eliza, so happy you loved it so much! ๐
Meg says
Didnโt have mayo on hand so omitted and still amazing! I like to add a squeeze of lemon too. Easiest and most fabulous lunch meal prep recipe ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Meg, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Maddie says
So good and easy to make! Such a good idea to use a food processor to shred the chicken. It made for the perfect consistency! I made some for my mom and sister and they loved it as well. I ate it on a sandwich and crackers. Loved it both ways! My New Year’s resolution was to cook more and this was the perfect first recipe to try. Thanks Erin!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maddie, so happy you all enjoyed it so much! Thanks for sharing! ๐
Kaitlin Rodgers says
Yummy!!! Just sweet enough and super easy!! Canโt wait to try your other versions ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kaitlin, so happy you loved it and yay let me know how you like them too!!
Taylor says
I canโt believe Iโve never used a food processor to shred chicken! Easiest EVER!!! Love this recipe and using on a croissant with avocado!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Taylor, so happy you loved it and yay to using your food processor! ๐
Lucy G says
This chicken salad is so good! For ease, I used the crock pot to cook the chicken and mixed to shred. Because of an allergy and preference, I skipped the relish and used vegan mayo. Iโve enjoyed on its own and as a sandwich. Glad to have enough for a few days!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lucy, so happy you love it and make it your own! ๐
Erin Torres says
My favorite chicken salad. I make it almost weekly!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you love it as much as I do!
Steph says
The best simple chicken salad! A lunch staple for my fam!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Steph, so happy you all love it!!
Rachel says
I gave in and made this because I kept hearing it was so good. Iโm not usually into chicken salad. I made a half recipe and now I wish I made the whole recipe. So good!!! I used dill relish because I donโt like sweet relish. It is so delicious! Definitely make it!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Rachel, so happy you liked it and hope you can make a full batch of it soon! ๐
Kaysey Wickins says
I love chicken salad and always buy it. Decided to make it this time, so easy and delicous! I never thought to put chicken in the food processor, game changer! This will be a staple!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kaysey, so happy you loved it so much! ๐