Classic Chicken Salad is the type of recipe every household loves. This Chicken Salad recipe is simple; loaded with chunks of chicken, grapes, herbs, and a creamy base. The best Summer recipe!
Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
Warm weather is upon us, which means bring on all of the backyard parties and the snacks that come with them!
Whether your plans involve chilling in the backyard grilling with your friends and family, or a chill weekend at home, you’re going to want this Classic Chicken Salad to come along for the ride.
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!
Chicken Salad Ingredients
What makes this recipe unique (and the best, in my opinion), is the herbs and spices you add to the mixture. So, be sure to add this list of ingredients to your shopping list to be sure you don’t forget any key spices!
- Cooked chicken meat
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Lemon juice
- Minced fresh tarragon or ½ teaspoon dried tarragon
- Herbes de Provence
- Fresh minced chives
- Minced celery
- Grapes halved or quartered
- Kosher salt & Freshly ground black pepper
Can I Serve Chicken Salad Immediately After Making?
You can definitely serve this/eat it right after mixing up all the ingredients. With that being said, I do typically like to wait at least a few hours to let everything really combine and mix together.
I’d say if you can try to make a batch the night before you want to eat it for the best results. If you really just can’t wait then feel free to dig in immediately!
You can keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before it goes bad.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches- The Perfect Summer Party Dish!
Classic chicken salad is one of my all-time favorite summer party dishes and its one that often gets forgotten. We all love to jump to making macaroni salad and pasta salad, but what about chicken salad?
I think it’s time we bring this fun and easy summer party staple back to the top. So, the next time you have a party to host or attend, make sure this chicken salad recipe is on your list!
It’s easy to make a little or a lot with this recipe, so no matter the party size, you’ll always have enough for everyone!
The Best Ways To Eat Chicken Salad
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.
- As a sandwich: Grab your favorite bread, I highly suggest a good croissant, some lettuce, and tomato and you have a quick and simple lunch. Just whip up some Sweet Potato Chips and a Southern Sweet Tea, and you’ll be good to go!
- With crackers: If you aren’t feeling hungry enough to make this into a full-fledged sandwich, then I have just the solution for you. Scoop some onto a few crackers for a quick little mid-day snack. I love eating it with the everything ritz crackers, they’re really a game changer as far as crackers go.
- Right out of the bowl: 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.
Serving Ideas
Just like how I said there’s no wrong way to eat chicken salad, the same goes for what to serve with it. It pairs perfectly with some bbq when featured as a side dish, and you’ll love it with fresh roasted veggies if served as a sandwich.
Here are a few of my favorite chicken salad pairings:
More Chicken Sandwich Recipes
Is there anything better than an easy chicken sandwich? This classic chicken salad is one of our favorites, but don’t forget these other delicious options:
- Chicken Sloppy Joes
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Chicken Burgers
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Copycat Chick Fil A
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps
More Chicken Salad Ideas
Chicken Salad can be easy, healthy, delicious, and versatile! Check out these other versions we love to make.
A Can’t-Miss Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
You really can’t go wrong with this dish. It’s simple to make and is the best quick snack when you don’t have the time to prepare something new each day.
I love keeping a batch in the refrigerator pretty much at all times so I can snag a little whenever I’m craving some. It’s seriously something to obsess over, and I know you love it just as much as I do.
Be sure to let me know your thoughts once you try out the recipe. I always love hearing from you guys once you try out a recipe, so be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
If you’ve made this recipe, please be sure to let us know by leaving a star rating or a comment below. Enjoy!
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken meat meat from rotisserie chicken works well
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Juice from ½ lemon
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or ½ teaspoon dried tarragon
- ½ teaspoon Herbes de Provence
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced chives
- 2 tablespoons minced celery
- 2 cups grapes halved or quartered (depending how large)
- Kosher salt & Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- croissants or favorite bread
- Sliced fresh tomatoes
- Fresh lettuce
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients (except garnishes), in a large bowl, until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.3 cups cooked chicken meat, ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, Juice from ½ lemon, 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or ½ teaspoon dried tarragon, ½ teaspoon Herbes de Provence, 1 tablespoon fresh minced chives, 2 tablespoons minced celery, 2 cups grapes, Kosher salt & Freshly ground black pepper
- Serve on croissants or toasted sandwich buns with your favorite toppings.Sliced fresh tomatoes, Fresh lettuce, croissants or favorite bread
- Enjoy!
BILLY says
THE ONLY WAY TO EAT CHICKEN SALAD IS WITH GRAPES IN IT AND ON A CROISSANT. LOOKS FANTASTIC!
Becky Hardin says
I like the way you think!
Aimee Shugarman says
Yep, this is perfection. So flavorful too, will make again and again!
Becky Hardin says
So happy to hear that 🙂
Tanya Schroeder says
You can’t go wrong with a classic chicken salad!
Becky Hardin says
AGREE!
Liz says
I’ve been looking for a great Chicken Salad recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Becky Hardin says
Of course! Hope you love it!
Laura Reese says
Chicken salad is my favorite sandwich recipe! Yum. I love the addition of grapes.
Becky Hardin says
ME TOO!
Jackie says
What kind of grapes do you recommend? Red, green or black?
Becky Hardin says
I like red! But green also give a nice tart flavor 🙂 A mix can be fun!
Linda Workman says
Been looking for something different to prepare & these recipes sound as if they will fit the bill. Can’t wait to try these delicious recipes.
Becky Hardin says
That makes me so happy to hear!
Susan Barnes says
I make something similar, but as a curried chicken salad:
2 c. shredded white meat chicken
1 c. red grapes, halved
1/2 c. chopped pecans (cashews, almonds or pistachios also work)
1/2 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/2 c. mayo
1/2 c. sour cream
1 tbsp white sesame seeds
2 tsp Madras curry powder (or more if you like it spicy)
salt and pepper to taste.
Mix all in a bowl and refrigerate for an hour to let the flavors marry. If salad seems a little dry, add another tbsp mayo or sour cream to loosen. Serve on a bed of lettuce or a croissant or with crackers.
If you like this, feel free to share. 🙂
Becky Hardin says
Love that idea!
Rosheda Graham says
The food looks good
Becky Hardin says
Thank you, Rosheda!
Sandra kocisak-Doine says
This is the most delicious chicken salad
Sandwich. My husband says « you can make this recipe often »
Becky Hardin says
I’m glad you both loved it so much!