What’s in Chicken Salad?
This easy recipe is bursting with flavor as you’ve never seen before in your run-of-the-mill chicken salad. Full grapes, Dijon mustard, and an array of spices this dish makes for a never-fail crowd pleaser. Don’t think you need to just take my word for it. Try it out yourself now!
Cooked Chicken: This is the perfect opportunity to use up any leftover chicken you have on hand, or you can shred up a rotisserie chicken with forks. Mayonnaise: Makes this chicken salad creamy and holds everything together. Dijon Mustard: Adds a bit of tanginess and spice. Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy zip. Tarragon: Adds a fresh and herbaceous flavor. You can use minced fresh tarragon or ½ teaspoon dried tarragon. Herbs de Provence: A spice blend made from rosemary, fennel, thyme, sweet basil, savory leaves, tarragon, lavender, chervil, dill, oregano, and marjoram. It adds a rounded herbal flavor. Chives: Add a mild oniony flavor. Celery: Adds crunch! Grapes: Adds a pop of sweetness. Salt + Pepper: Enhances the other flavors.
Pro Tip: If grapes are out of season, try using raisins instead!
Variations on Homemade Chicken Salad
There are lots of ways to modify this recipe. For starters, you could change up the mix-ins. Keep total add-ins to about 2 cups. I love adding grapes, celery, and chives, but chopped walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries, hard-boiled eggs, or avocado would be delicious additions! You could change the flavor slightly by swapping out the tarragon for another fresh herb, like parsley, basil, chives, or dill. To make this chicken salad a bit healthier, try swapping half of the mayo for plain Greek yogurt. To make it gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free bread instead of croissants, or serve it over a salad. You can also experiment with flavors. I love this Curry Chicken Salad.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy cold. I do not recommend freezing chicken salad.
Serving Suggestions
There’s really no wrong way to eat chicken salad. With a recipe this good, you could eat it almost any way and it will still be amazing! With that being said, there are a few clear front runners when it comes to how to eat chicken salad. I love it as a sandwich made with a rich, buttery croissant, lettuce, and tomatoes. It also makes a great dip served with crackers. This is where the no shame game comes in. I’ll be honest, I sometimes just eat this right out of the bowl with a fork. I’m not even afraid to admit because it’s just that good. So if you’re really just craving chicken salad and have nothing to put it on, just grab your fork and dig in. For a unique way to eat this, stuff chicken salad in an artichoke!
More Chicken Salad Recipes We Love
California Chicken Salad Mango Chicken Salad Honey Mustard Chicken Salad Napa Almond Chicken Salad
More Chicken Sandwiches to Try
Grilled Chicken Sandwich Fried Chicken Sandwich BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Frontega Chicken Paninis Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Copycat Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich
