Ultimate Chicken Salad Recipe

Learn how to make the best chicken salad with juicy chicken, crisp apples, sweet grapes, and a creamy dressing. This quick, flavorful chicken salad recipe is perfect for lunches, picnics, and meal prep. Ready in 20 minutes!

Chicken salad is one of those classic dishes that never goes out of style. It’s delicious in sandwiches, wraps, on greens, or straight from the bowl. You’ll love how the juicy cooked chicken pairs with crisp fruit, savory nuts, and a creamy dressing that keeps every bite satisfying.

I, Rebecca always have this classic chicken salad recipe on hand. Because whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a crowd, this easy chicken salad comes together in about 20 minutes and delivers creamy, tangy, and crunchy results every time. It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or gatherings of any size.

The seasonings here are simple, maybe surprising, and so delicious. Garlic, salt, and pepper are pretty standard. But the added dash of curry gives an added bit of flavor that’s unexpected but so pleasant!

Ingredients Needed

• Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly or swap for poached chicken or baked chicken breasts. If you’re in a pinch, use canned chicken that has been drained. This recipe is perfect for using leftover chicken.
• Chopped quartered grapes: Adds a sweet, juicy crunch
• Diced apples: For natural sweetness and texture
• Chopped or sliced almonds (optional): Toasted for extra crunch. And don’t skip out on them if you can, because nuts are good saturated fat!
• Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt: For a creamy base. Greek yogurt is a lighter, healthier and egg-free option.
• Sour cream: For tanginess
• Sugar
• Curry powder: Our secret ingredient for a flavor boost!
• Garlic powder
• Lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper: To taste
• Chopped green onions (optional): For garnish

What is the Best Chicken to Use When Making a Chicken Salad?

We love using rotisserie chicken for this easy chicken salad recipe. It’s flavorful, convenient, and saves a lot of prep time. Store-bought rotisserie chicken works perfectly and is a great way to use up leftovers without wasting food.

If you prefer to cook chicken breasts for chicken salad, here’s a simple method:

1 — Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2 — Place 4 large chicken breasts on the pan and brush both sides generously with olive oil. For the best results, let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking, then season evenly with salt and pepper.

3 — Bake the chicken for 20–25 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F on a meat thermometer. You’ll also know it’s done when the juices run clear after piercing the chicken with a fork.

4 — Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes. This helps keep it juicy. Once rested, shred or dice the chicken, then allow it to cool completely before mixing it with the fruit and creamy dressing.

Whether you use homemade roasted chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken, this method ensures tender, flavorful chicken every time. Perfect for the best chicken salad!

Prep Your Chicken: How to Shred Chicken Easily

Shredding chicken is quick and simple, especially when the chicken is still slightly warm. For the best texture, shred your chicken shortly after cooking. The easiest method is to use your hands or two forks.

Chicken naturally pulls apart with very little effort, making it perfect for shredded chicken for chicken salad, soups, or sandwiches. If you’re using leftover chicken that has been refrigerated, it may be firmer. In this case, roughly chop or slice it into thin strips before shredding or dicing to create more even pieces.

For a faster option, you can also shred chicken using a blender or food processor. Add the cooked chicken to the bowl and pulse on the low setting just until shredded. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the chicken mushy.

Helpful tips for perfect shredded chicken:

• Slightly warm chicken shreds more easily than cold chicken.
• Avoid over-shredding if you prefer chunkier chicken salad.
• A standard serving of shredded chicken is about 1/2 to 3/4 cup per person.
• For meal prep, store shredded chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Using these simple techniques ensures tender, juicy shredded chicken every time.

Chicken Salad Variations & Add-Ins

This chicken salad recipe uses chopped grapes for a sweet, juicy crunch. But it’s easy to customize with other fruits, vegetables, or herbs. One of the best things about the best chicken salad is how flexible it is. You can adjust the flavors based on what you have on hand or your personal taste.

When choosing mix-ins, be sure they’re sturdy enough to hold their shape when stirred and will keep well in the refrigerator. Soft fruits like fresh berries tend to release too much moisture and don’t hold up well once chilled. So they’re best avoided in classic chicken salad.

Delicious chicken salad mix-in ideas:

Try swapping or adding any of the following to create your own chicken salad variations:

• Canned mandarin oranges (well drained) for a citrusy twist
• Diced celery for extra crunch and freshness
• Pineapple tidbits for a sweet-and-savory flavor
• Raisins or dried cranberries for chewiness and sweetness
• Fresh dill for a bright, herby finish
• A dash of Dijon mustard for subtle tang and depth

How to Make the Best Chicken Salad

1 — Mix the dressing:
Combine mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, curry powder and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and sugar has dissolved. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

2 — Combine and toss:
In a large bowl, add the shredded (or diced) chicken, grapes, apples, and almonds. Pour the dressing over and gently fold until everything is lightly coated. Season with salt if needed.

3 — Chill:
Refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld. The flavors will be even better if you let the chicken salad refrigerate overnight.

4 — Garnish and serve:
Top with chopped green onions (optional). Serve chilled salad on bread, in lettuce wraps, over greens, or with crackers.

Chicken Salad Serving Size & Serving Ideas

A typical chicken salad serving size is about 1/2 to 3/4 cup per person, depending on how you’re serving it and what sides you’re pairing it with. This portion works well for sandwiches, wraps, salads, and appetizers.

If you’re wondering how to serve chicken salad, here are some delicious and creative ideas:

• Classic chicken salad sandwich: Serve on your favorite sandwich bread. Light, fluffy breads pair especially well with creamy chicken salad.
• Open-faced toast: Spoon chicken salad onto a slice of crusty toast and top with mashed avocado for added richness and flavor.
• Croissant sandwich: For a slightly fancier presentation, serve chicken salad in a buttery croissant. Add mixed greens for extra texture and freshness.
• Lettuce bowl or lettuce wraps: Scoop chicken salad onto a bed of lettuce for a fresh, gluten-free option. It’s truly a salad on a salad.
• Chicken salad wrap: Roll it up in a tortilla or flatbread for an easy, portable lunch.
• Appetizer or party dip: Serve chicken salad as a dip with crackers, celery sticks, or sliced cucumbers.
• Stuffed vegetables: Spoon chicken salad into halved bell peppers for a colorful, crunchy option.
• Pasta-style chicken salad: Mix chicken salad with cooked bow tie pasta for a heartier meal or picnic-friendly dish.

How to Store Chicken Salad

Always store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored correctly, it will keep well for up to 5 days.

You can also freeze chicken salad for up to 1 month. But refrigeration is strongly recommended for the best texture. Ingredients like almonds and fresh produce tend to lose their crunch once frozen, which can affect the overall quality of the salad.

Can You Make Chicken Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes, this easy chicken salad recipe can be partially made ahead of time. While the salad is best served shortly after it’s assembled and chilled, the chicken and dressing can be prepared several days in advance and stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Once combined, letting the chicken salad rest in the fridge for a few hours actually improves the flavor. The ingredients have time to meld, making the salad even more delicious when served chilled.

More Lunch & Dinner Ideas

Looking for more recipes to cook at home? Here are some of our favorite lunch and dinner ideas from the archives —

• Caico e pepe pasta
• Easy meatloaf
• Instant Pot white bean & vegetable soup
• Orange chicken
• One sheet rosemary baked chicken
• Roasted garlic white bean Alfredo
• Crockpot meatballs
• Turkey chili
• Huli Huli Hawaiian chicken kebabs
• Whole30 avocado chicken salad wraps
• Watermelon flatbread feta pizza

Tried this recipe? Share your Chicken Salad with us on Instagram, using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? Find them all right here!

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