This amazing chicken salad is just the perfect combination of chicken, creaminess, and crunch. Even better; it is ready in just minutes using leftover chicken, breast meat, or even dark meat. Rotisserie chicken, leftover roast chicken. If you can shred it or cut it into chunks, use it. This recipe is a delicious budget friendly meal.
Are you hosting a party or gathering and looking for a delicious and crowd-pleasing dish to serve? Look no further than this chicken salad recipe that is sure to impress your guests.
Packed with flavor and loaded with fresh ingredients, this chicken salad is a healthy and satisfying option that can be served as a main dish or side dish.
Whether you’re hosting a large group for a summer BBQ, a bridal shower, or a family reunion, this recipe is a must-try.
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Party Appetizers
Did you know that you can turn this recipe into finger sandwiches, serve it on crackers, use it as a dip for crackers, or serve it on croissant buns? If you are hosting a party where you want petite sandwiches, like baby showers, mini croissants are a great option.
Make this recipe ahead using chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken or canned. It doesn’t get much easier than easy canned chicken salad for a crowd. Your guests will gobble them down.
Our friends love the chicken salad on a croissant. It is the most popular way to serve this sandwich for a crowd.
Easy Home Cooking Options
Whether we are eating at home or feeding a crowd, quick and easy recipes are always good to have in your recipe box. We love great lunch and snack options and this recipe is just perfect for any occasion.
With the variety of flavors and textures in this dish, there is something for everyone to love. The crunchy celery adds a nice crisp texture to the salad while boosting the fiber content.
The green onion adds a bit of crunchy heat. However, red onion or yellow onion work in this recipe too. It is great to use what you have on hand.
The briny flavors of pickles are so delicious in this recipe and potato salad too. People ask me all the time for my potato salad recipe. The pickles are the secret ingredient!
If you really want to kick it up a notch, add crumbled bacon.
Quick Make-Ahead Family Meals
Make this on the weekend and have for a few days during the week. Keep refrigerated so it stays fresh. Great for a grab and go lunch choice on a busy schedule.
You can skip the bun and crackers and serve this on a bed of lettuce as a healthy low carb lunch option.
Traditional Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients
A traditional chicken salad has simple ingredients. That is why it is such a great thing to serve a crowd.
The classic recipe here is enough to feed a crowd of 12 people. Make sure to mix this in a large bowl.
- 2 Cups of Cooked and Shredded Chicken, canned chickens works well for this too
- ⅓ Cup of Sliced Green Onions, about 2 onions
- 1 Cup of Diced Celery, 2 to 3 stalks
- 1 Cup of Dill Pickles, chopped
- ½ Cup of Mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon of Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon of Pickle Juice
- A Little Salt and Black Pepper to taste
However, we went one step further and added carrot, bell pepper, and made an avocado dressing.
The amount of mayonnaise depends on personal taste. If you want to go lighter on mayo, but need more moisture in the salad, try adding more mustard or pickle juice before additional mayonnaise. Another option is to add plain Greek Yogurt or sour cream.
No matter which way you decide to make this delicious recipe, it will be enjoyed by all.
Add Fresh Ingredients for the Best Chicken Salad Recipe
This chicken salad is terrific all on its own; however, dress it up with additional fresh ingredients and the taste factor goes right over the top. In the photo above, this is served with fresh avocado, cherry tomatoes, and fried corn tortilla.
I had made one yesterday and my husband complained I did not make him one. Well, my daughter only brought over enough for one.
I had the salad on crackers the day before. However, my lovely daughter brought some more over today and my husband enjoyed his tortilla with chicken salad too.
Here are a few other ideas on some delicious foods to add:
- Lemon Juice. It adds a delicous brightness to this salad
- Fresh Herbs such as Fresh Dill add so much flavor
- Avocados
- Dried Fruits, such as Crainsins or Raisins
- Eggs
- Fresh Grapes
- Olives
- Nuts, such as Almonds, Cashews, Pecans, or Walnuts
- Pickles
- Tomatoes
Additional serving options can be in a flour or whole wheat wrap, a large lettuce leaf would be wonderful wrapped around this salad.
Tips on Dicing an Avocado
I used to struggle with cutting the fruit. My fingers would get all messy when scooping out the flesh. Then when I tried to slice and dice the fruit, it would become very slippery in my fingers. However; recently, I watched a food show and the chef showed how to dice an avocado without getting your hands and the cutting board all full of the avocado flesh. As you can see in the photo above, I cut the fruit in half. Then use a knife and make the diced slices right inside the outer shell. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Quick and easy.
Serving Salad on Corn Tortilla
If you want to serve your chicken salad on a corn tortilla like I did, it is very easy to do. I use my cast iron pan and get some vegetable oil hot – about 300 degrees. Place the tortilla in the pan and fry on one side approximately 45 seconds. Flip and fry on the other side. Place on a paper towel and pat the oil off. It will be slightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. But the additional corn flavor I think just adds something to this that is a great combination.
How Long Will This Chicken Salad Last?
This salad salad will last refrigerated for 3-4 days in an airtight container. However, for food safety, do not leave this out at room temperature. Always refrigerate as soon as you can.
Recipe Tips
How much to plan per person when hosting?
You can serve classic chicken salad recipe as an entrée or as an appetizer. In general, plan on 1/3 cup of chicken salad per sandwich, if you use mini croissants or sandwiches cut into mini finger sandwiches.
1 Pound of chicken salad will feed 4 or 5 people.
Additionally, if the chicken salad is the main entrée without many side dishes and other snacks, then you will want to plan for more. If this is the case plan for 1 – 2 cups per person.
When hosting a party, it is always a good idea to have a number of side dishes and snack options for your guests. Then there is something for everyone and if there is someone attending with a dietary restriction, they are sure to find food they can enjoy too.
How do you keep chicken salad sandwiches from getting soggy?
Due to the high moisture content of the ingredients, if you make sandwiches ahead of time, the bread will soak up the liquid and get soggy.
To keep sandwiches from getting mushy, protect the bread with a piece of cheese or a large piece of lettuce on the top and bottom. You need something to create a barrier between the wet ingredients and the dry bread.
How far in advance can I make sandwiches for a party?
Since the bread has a tendency to get mushy, it is best if you can make the sandwiches a few hours before you will be serving them. Once made, keep them in the refrigerator before serving for food safety.
However, the chicken salad itself can be made a few days in advance. It will give you all the delicious flavors of homemade chicken salad and still save you time the day of the event. All you do is assemble the sandwiches or appetizers.
Another option is to make lettuce wraps. Then you don’t have to worry about soggy bread at all!
What side dishes to serve with chicken salad sandwiches at a party?
Side dishes are a great addition to any party. They stretch the main entrees and add delicious variety in foods for your guests. Here are a few ideas on what to serve with chicken salad sandwiches at a party: fruit salad, pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw, vegetable sticks with dip, or chips and salsa.
Amazing Chicken Salad
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
Chicken Salad
- 4 Cups Shredded Chicken
- 2 Green Onions Chopped
- 1 Carrot Shredded
- 2 Bell Peppers Diced (can be green, yellow, orange, or red-add some lovely color)
- 2 Stalks Celery Diced
- 1 Small Onion Diced
Avocado Dressing
- 1 Avocado
- 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 Cup Miracle Whip
- 2 Tablespoon Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Dill Chopped
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Minced (or 1 Tsp. garlic powder)
text ingredients
Instructions
Chicken Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all six ingredients for the chicken salad, including any additional ingredients you have decided to add.
Avocado Dressing
- Put all of the avocado dressing ingredients into a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Pour this mixture over the chicken salad and toss to coat.
- Place the mixed chicken salad in a covered container in the refrigerator for one hour before eating. (if you can resist). Enjoy.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
How much to plan per person when hosting?
You can serve classic chicken salad recipe as an entrée or as an appetizer. In general, plan on 1/3 cup of chicken salad per sandwich, if you use mini croissants or sandwiches cut into mini finger sandwiches. 1 Pound of chicken salad will feed 4 or 5 people. Additionally, if the chicken salad is the main entrée without many side dishes and other snacks, then you will want to plan for more. If this is the case plan for 1 – 2 cups per person. When hosting a party, it is always a good idea to have a number of side dishes and snack options for your guests. Then there is something for everyone and if there is someone attending with a dietary restriction, they are sure to find food they can enjoy too.How do you keep chicken salad sandwiches from getting soggy?
Due to the high moisture content of the ingredients, if you make sandwiches ahead of time, the bread will soak up the liquid and get soggy. To keep sandwiches from getting mushy, protect the bread with a piece of cheese or a large piece of lettuce on the top and bottom. You need something to create a barrier between the wet ingredients and the dry bread.Nutrition
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I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.
you lost me when I saw the avocada
Well, you can always have it without the avocado. That is some of the fresh ingredients we added to the chicken salad. Each of us enjoyed the chicken salad in our own way. I hope you give it a try. Just don’t add the avocado to the top.