Classic Chicken Salad Recipe — Creamy, Fresh & Perfect for Every Occasion

This recipe is my love letter to that timeless dish: simple enough for a weeknight, elegant enough for a holiday buffet, and always better the next day.

Made with rotisserie chicken (or leftovers!), it comes together in 10 minutes flat—no cooking required. Just chop, mix, and chill. It’s the ultimate meal-prep hero, sandwich star, or solo lunch bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Salad

🥗 Ready in 10 minutes—perfect for busy days

💰 Budget-friendly—uses leftover or store-bought chicken

❤️ Creamy but light—balanced with citrus and herbs

🥪 Endlessly versatile—sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or crackers

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kid-approved & crowd-pleasing

🌿 Easy to customize—add crunch, sweetness, or spice

“It’s not fancy—but it’s exactly what you crave when you want real food, fast.”

Ingredients You’ll Need

(Serves 4–6)

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great!)

½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)

1 tsp Dijon mustard (adds depth—don’t skip!)

½ cup celery, finely diced

¼ cup red onion, finely diced (or green onions for milder flavor)

¼ cup fresh dill or parsley, chopped

2 tbsp sweet pickle relish (or chopped dill pickles)

Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional add-ins:

Grapes (halved)

Chopped apples

Walnuts or pecans

Hard-boiled eggs

A pinch of curry powder or paprika

💡 Pro Tip: For extra flavor, use chicken thighs—they stay moister than breast meat.

Step-by-Step Instructions: