Classic Chicken Salad

Introduction

A Classic Chicken Salad is the embodiment of simple, satisfying elegance: tender chicken breast, crisp celery, and flavorful seasonings all bound together in a creamy dressing. It’s a staple for picnics, lunches, or quick weeknight dinners. This recipe impresses with its fresh, balanced taste—perfect as a hearty sandwich filling, a light wrap, or simply served over greens.

Deliciously Simple Classic Chicken Salad

What sets this Classic Chicken Salad apart is the harmony of familiar ingredients. Juicy, shredded chicken mingles with the crunch of celery, red onion, and perhaps a hint of fresh herbs, all brought together by a delicately seasoned mayo dressing. It’s adaptable, fuss-free, and always a crowd favorite at potlucks and family tables alike.

Preparing the Creamy Chicken Salad Base

Start with cooked, cooled chicken breast or thighs—rotisserie chicken works perfectly for ease and flavor. Chop or shred it into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine the chicken with crisp celery, diced red onion, and, if you like, sliced grapes or chopped fresh dill for a twist. Then, blend in a dressing made from classic mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon juice, a spoonful of Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.

Assembling Your Classic Chicken Salad

Once the chicken and vegetables are prepped, gently fold them into the creamy dressing. Mix only until just combined for the best texture. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving; this allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Serving Suggestions for Classic Chicken Salad

Serve your Classic Chicken Salad on fresh croissants, in lettuce cups, or atop a bed of mixed greens. For added flavor and texture, sprinkle with chopped pecans or almonds. Pair with iced tea or lemonade for a refreshing, wholesome meal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each serving (without bread) contains approximately 300-350 calories, offering a balanced profile of protein, healthy fats, and vibrant veggies—ideal for a filling lunch or light dinner.

Classic Chicken Salad (Recap)

A true classic, this salad brings together tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a savory dressing for a versatile, endlessly customizable dish. Its simplicity and universal appeal make it a go-to recipe for stress-free meal prep and entertaining.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, celery, and red onion. Add grapes, dill, or nuts if using.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently fold to combine, coating all ingredients evenly. Do not overmix.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
6. Serve chilled on croissants, sandwich bread, in wraps, or over a salad. Enjoy immediately or store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Classic Chicken Salad is perfect for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to plan your lunches or easy dinners—generating smart, consolidated shopping lists for all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
– Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
– Makes weekly meal prep more efficient and organized

Pro tip: When scheduling multiple meals for the week, organize your recipes so shared ingredients (like mayonnaise or celery) aren’t double-counted. This streamlines your grocery shopping and reduces waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (assuming cooked chicken)
Total Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chill time)