This traditional chicken salad recipe is a staple for lunchtime sandwiches in my family. Loaded with tender chunks of chicken, juicy grapes, and a creamy herbed mayonnaise dressing made with the best mix of herbs and spices, this classic chicken salad is absolutely perfect. The balance of sweet and savory is spot on, and I love serving it on a buttery croissant, over lettuce, or just by the spoonful!
Top Reader Reviews
Yep, this is perfection. So flavorful too, will make again and again!
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You can’t go wrong with a classic chicken salad!
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Chicken Salad for Sandwiches
My classic recipe for chicken salad is bursting with flavor thanks to the best herbs and seasonings. I use a mix of mayo and Dijon mustard for the creamy dressing, plus a bit of lemon juice to make everything fresh. It’s filled with grapes and minced celery, so it has a lot of great texture and a wonderful mix of flavor. My whole family loves this chicken salad, so I often use it to make sandwiches for quick and easy lunches. Using leftover chicken, it takes less than 10 minutes to make!
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What Kind of Chicken to Use
You can use any cooked chicken to make this classic chicken salad recipe. It’s the perfect time to use up leftover chicken, cut up into cubes or bite-sized pieces. I always have some shredded chicken on hand, so that’s often what I use. Canned chicken works well for this recipe too.
Classic Chicken Salad with Herbs
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (*)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (**)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon (or ½ teaspoon dried tarragon)
- ½ teaspoon Herbs de Provence
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 2 tablespoons minced celery
- 2 cups grapes (any color; halved or quartered )
- kosher salt (to taste)
- ground black pepper (to taste)
For Sandwiches (Optional):
- Croissants (or your favorite bread)
- Sliced fresh tomatoes
- Fresh lettuce
Instructions
- Mix all salad ingredients in a large bowl, until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.3 cups shredded cooked chicken, ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon , ½ teaspoon Herbs de Provence, 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, 2 tablespoons minced celery, 2 cups grapes, kosher salt, ground black pepper
- Serve on croissants or toasted sandwich buns with your favorite toppings.Sliced fresh tomatoes, Fresh lettuce, Croissants
Notes
- You can serve/eat this immediately after mixing, but I like to let it sit in the fridge so the flavors have time to meld together.
- Because the chicken salad contains mayo, keep it refrigerated and don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- If grapes are out of season, try using raisins instead!
- Chopped walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries, hard-boiled eggs, or avocado would be delicious additions to this chicken salad.
- Nutritional information does not include sandwich components.
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
Watch me make this!
Just combine shredded chicken with a few ingredients, and it’s ready to eat.
Chicken Salad Seasoning
The real secret to making the best chicken salad is the combination of herbs, spices, and seasonings. I love using tarragon, chives, and Herbs de Provence to add flavor to the creamy dressing. Herbs de Provence typically includes a mix of thyme, marjoram, rosemary, oregano, and sometimes other herbs. This combo really packs in the flavor and makes this creamy salad so tasty!
How to Make Chicken Salad Step by Step
Add Ingredients: To a large mixing bowl, add 3 cups of cooked chicken, ½ cup of mayonnaise, 2 cups of halved or quartered grapes, 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
Add the Herbs: Next, add 2 teaspoons of minced fresh tarragon, ½ teaspoon of Herbs de Provence, 1 tablespoon of minced fresh chives, and 2 tablespoons of minced celery.
Mix Ingredients: Fold chicken salad ingredients together until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve: Serve chicken salad on croissants or toasted sandwich buns with your favorite toppings, like sliced tomatoes and lettuce. It’s also delicious served with crackers, rice, or lettuce.
How to Store
Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this. Eat leftovers cold straight from the fridge. This dish is perfect for meal prep lunches!
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