Classic Chicken Salad – Shredded chicken, dill pickles, and crunchy celery smothered in a deliciously creamy dressing. You’ll love how easy this is to throw together for your next picnic or summer party.
CLASSIC CHICKEN SALAD
Creamy and crunchy Chicken Salad perfectly served on rolls and croissants, or on top of lettuce wraps for a low carb option.
Healthy and filling, a Classic Chicken Salad is not only packed with awesome flavors, but it’s also a Keto-friendly bowl full of protein and fiber.
This salad can be found in my fridge year round because it serves as a grab-and-go lunch, or an in-between-meals snack. I’ve been having this salad for lunch, like, all week. It’s addictive.
Usually, I just go it alone, savoring bite after bite, and keeping on track with that low carb livin’.
HOW TO MAKE A CHICKEN SALAD
Basically, this Classic Chicken Salad is a high pile of deliciousness mixed with a very appropriate creamy dressing that brings everything together. It is a great recipe to serve alongside grilled meats, but also good as a meal prep option.
- First thing I do is either shred these Grilled Lemon Chicken Breasts OR pick up a Rotisserie chicken from the market. Then, shred it.
- You will also need to dice up some good old dill pickles and celery sticks. I use about 4 celery sticks and around 1/3 cup diced pickles. Most of the time, I just eyeball it.
- Next, chop up about 3 cups iceberg lettuce and combine all the ingredients in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Stir in some lemon juice, too, and a little lemon zest.
- Add mayonnaise, sour cream, and dijon mustard over the salad; mix and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge until ready to use.
WHAT CAN I ADD TO A CHICKEN SALAD
You can always add in other things like;
- diced carrots
- green onions
- almonds
- or walnuts
- grapes
- mandarins, etc…
Then, there’s always my Creamy Dill Chicken Salad that you’ve GOT to try.
COOK’S NOTES
- Do not dress chicken when warm because it will absorb a lot of the dressing. Wait for your chicken to cool before using it in the salad.
- Finely dice all the veggies (and other add-ins, if using) and keep them at around the same size.
HOW TO STORE CREAMY CHICKEN SALAD
- Always store the salad in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
CAN I FREEZE CHICKEN SALAD
- If you plan to freeze the salad, please do not add in the mayonnaise because it will separate once you defrost it. Instead, I suggest to freeze the salad without the dressing. You can always dress it afterwards.
- Chicken Salad can stay in the freezer for 3 months.
Don’t you just want to bite into that?! I sure DO!
MORE CREAMY CHICKEN SALAD RECIPES
- Easy Avocado Chicken Egg Salad
- Chunky Chicken Salad Cups
- Stuffed Avocados with Chicken and Bacon Salad
- California Chicken Salad
ENJOY!
TOOLS USED IN THIS RECIPE
Classic Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked skinless, boneless chicken breasts, shredded
- 4 celery ribs, finely diced
- 1/3 cup finely diced dill pickles
- 3 to 4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine prepared chicken, celery, pickles, lettuce, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest; stir to combine.
- Add sour cream, mayonnaise, and dijon mustard; mix until thoroughly incorporated.
- Taste for seasonings and flavors; adjust accordingly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Garnish with parsley and green onions; serve.
Notes
- If you plan to freeze the salad, please do not add in the mayonnaise because it will separate once you defrost it. Instead, I suggest to freeze the salad without the dressing. You can always dress it afterwards.
- Chicken Salad can stay in the freezer for 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Categories:
- 4th of July
- Appetizers
- Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Salad Recipes
- Dinner Recipes
- Dips and Spreads
- Freezer Friendly Meals
- Gluten Free
- Healthy Appetizer Recipes
- Holidays
- Keto Recipes
- Kid Friendly Lunch Ideas
- Light Lunches
- Low Carb Recipes
- Lunch
- Party Appetizers
- Quick Lunch Recipes
- Salads
- Work Lunch Recipes
How much is in a serving?
I love chicken salad! I love the crunch & taste & it’s always a hit with everyone.
This is my daughter’s favorite thing to pick out from the deli at our local grocery store! She’s going to be thrilled now that I can make this for her; delicious!
Yummm! I love dill pickles in my chicken salad. Instead of sour cream I used nonfat Greek yogurt and it turned out great.
This chicken salad looks amazing!
This was really a huge hit! A classic salad is always a must-have in our house!!
This classic chicken salad recipe looks so perfect for this hot weather. I can’t wait to try it. I am pinning it for later. It is just my type of food and then I saw the jalepeno popper chicken recipe too and that is just my hubby’s type of food. LOL!