This is my go-to, savory and delicious chicken salad recipe! It is easy to make, light yet filling, and full of delicious flavor! 

In the South, everyone has their own tried and true classic chicken salad recipe! Some people love their chicken salad on the sweeter side, with curry powder, grapes, chopped apples, or dried cranberries. Others prefer a more savory recipe with ingredients like red onion, lemon, and fresh herbs. Some crave a crunch from celery or toasted almonds, and I have even known some people to include boiled eggs in their signature recipe! I absolutely love all variations of chicken salad, but this is the recipe I find myself making time after time.  

Is Chicken Salad Healthy? 

While recipes like chicken salad can get a bad rap, this dish can easily be part of a balanced meal! It is packed with protein from the chicken, which will also help keep you full. The celery and relish add a healthy dose of fiber, and as long as you use a clean mayo brand, you have a healthy source of fats! As with any dish, determining if chicken salad is “healthy” for you or not has more to do with the rest of your plate! I love utilizing the chicken salad as my protein and fat source, so I will add lots of fresh veggies and fruit for more fiber, or eat this with seed crackers and a fresh salad. 

What Is In This Chicken Salad? 

This is one of those recipes that utilize every ingredient, so while the ingredients are minimal, each seasoning plays an important role in creating a crave-worthy flavor. The mayo provides a creamy base, the celery gives it that satisfying crunch, and the Wickles relish is the “secret ingredient” that makes the flavor like no other! I love Dijon in my chicken salad, and the addition of Ranch seasoning and Everything But The Bagel seasoning adds a punch of flavor without a crazy amount of ingredients. The chicken salad ingredients are as follows:

• 3 cooked chicken breasts
• 1 cup mayo
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 1/3 cup Wickles relish 
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste 
• 1 tablespoon Ranch seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Everything But the Bagel Seasoning 
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

How Do I Make This Easy, Healthy, and Delicious Chicken Salad?  

I love this chicken salad because of how tasty and fresh it tastes, but also because of how easy it is to make! It takes minimal prep time, utilizes pantry staples, and is also a crowd favorite! To start, place your cooked chicken breasts in a food processor and process the chicken until it is uniform. Take care not to over-process it, otherwise it will turn into a paste. Next, transfer the chicken mixture to a large bowl and season it with salt, pepper, Ranch seasoning, Everything But the Bagel seasoning, and garlic powder. In a smaller bowl, stir together your mayo, Wickle’s relish, and Dijon mustard. Pour this over your chicken mixture and mix it together until it is combined. I like to use gloved hands to really coat the mixture! Lastly, chill your chicken salad in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. Enjoy! 

Do I Have To Use Mayo?

While I am partial to the creaminess mayonnaise lends to this recipe, you can absolutely swap it out for an alternative! Greek yogurt makes a fab mayo swap, but I would recommend using full fat to keep the creamy texture that makes this recipe so delicious. Additionally, Greek yogurt gives this dish more of a protein boost. Sometimes, I like to use half mayo and half Greek yogurt! 

What Kind Of Chicken Is Best? 

I use baked chicken breasts in this recipe, but you could also boil chicken in a pot to make poached chicken, or use a rotisserie chicken for the ultimate convenience! Whenever I make this with a rotisserie chicken, I prefer to only use white meat. 

How Should I Serve Chicken Salad?

This is one of those versatile dishes that you can make for countless occasions! It is fab for a lady’s luncheon or bridal shower, as a beach or lake lunch, or as lunch on an ordinary week day. For a lighter option, I love to serve it in romaine leaves to make lettuce wraps. It is also delicious on a sandwich or scooped onto a croissant. I also love serving it a scoop of it with some crackers and a side of fruit or fresh veggies. 

Can I Make This Dish Ahead Of Time? 

You can absolutely make this chicken salad ahead of time! I love to have a tupperware of chicken salad in my refrigerator for easy, protein-packed meal prep or snacking. After making your chicken salad, simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It can last up to 5 days, making it a perfect make ahead dish for work or school lunches!

Watch Me Make The Best Chicken Salad Recipe: 

 

 More Recipes To Try! 

You can never have too many good chicken salad recipes up your sleeve, so I thought I’d share another one of mine! I am also including one of my favorite tuna salad recipes! 

• Curried Chicken Salad That Everyone Loves

• Simple and Delicious Lemon Pepper Tuna Salad