Chicken salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in countless ways. Whether you prefer classic flavors or bold, innovative combinations, there’s a chicken salad recipe for everyone. Below, we’ve compiled 20 flavorful chicken salad recipes that are sure to become your favorites. Each recipe includes detailed ingredients and step-by-step instructions to ensure you get it right every time.
1. Classic Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, and red onion.
- Add lemon juice and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve on bread, crackers, or lettuce wraps.
Tip: For extra crunch, soak the red onion in ice water for 10 minutes before adding it. This reduces its sharpness while keeping it crisp.
2. Greek-Inspired Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, Greek yogurt, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve with pita bread or over a bed of greens.
Tip: Lightly salt the cucumber before adding it to the salad and let it sit for 5 minutes. This helps remove excess moisture and enhances its flavor.
3. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, hot sauce, mayonnaise, and celery.
- Add lemon juice and mix well.
- Fold in the blue cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on a bun or with celery sticks.
Tip: For an even bolder flavor, mix the hot sauce with melted butter before adding it to the chicken. This creates a rich, authentic Buffalo-style taste.
4. Asian Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1/4 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
- Add the chicken, carrots, cabbage, and green onions.
- Toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Tip: Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute before sprinkling them on top. This brings out their natural nuttiness and enhances the flavor.
5. Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 ripe avocado, mashed
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, mashed avocado, and Greek yogurt.
- Add red onion and lime juice.
- Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on toast or in a lettuce wrap.
Tip: To keep the avocado from browning, mix it with lime juice before combining it with the other ingredients.
6. Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, mayonnaise, cranberries, walnuts, and celery.
- Add lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on a croissant or with crackers.
Tip: Lightly toast the walnuts in a dry pan for extra crunch and a richer, nuttier taste.
7. Curry Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup apples, diced
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, and curry powder.
- Add raisins, apples, and celery.
- Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on bread or over a bed of greens.
Tip: Mix the curry powder with a tablespoon of warm water or oil before adding it to the salad. This helps release its full flavor.
8. Ranch Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, ranch dressing, celery, carrots, and cheddar cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve in a sandwich or as a dip with crackers.
Tip: For extra flavor, use homemade ranch dressing with fresh herbs instead of store-bought dressing.
9. Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup hummus
- 1/4 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, hummus, cucumber, red bell pepper, and feta cheese.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve with pita bread or over greens.
Tip: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best taste and a smoother, richer dressing.
10. BBQ Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup corn kernels
- 1/4 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, BBQ sauce, and mayonnaise.
- Add corn, black beans, and red onion.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on a bun or with tortilla chips.
Tip: If you have time, let the chicken marinate in BBQ sauce for 30 minutes before mixing it into the salad for deeper flavor.
11. Pesto Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.
- Add lemon juice and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on a baguette or with crackers.
Tip: For a more vibrant pesto flavor, mix in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving.
12. Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup apples, diced
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, mayonnaise, apples, walnuts, and celery.
- Add lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on bread or in a lettuce wrap.
Tip: Toss the apple pieces in a bit of lemon juice to keep them from browning and to add a slight tang.
13. Chipotle Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce, minced
- 1/4 cup corn kernels
- 1/4 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, and chipotle in adobo sauce.
- Add corn, black beans, and cilantro.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve in a tortilla or over greens.
Tip: Blend the chipotle in adobo sauce with mayonnaise for a smoother, smokier dressing.
14. Tarragon Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
- 1/4 cup grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup almonds, sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, mayonnaise, tarragon, grapes, and almonds.
- Add lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on a croissant or with crackers.
Tip: Fresh tarragon has a more delicate flavor than dried. If using dried, start with half the amount and adjust to taste.
15. Mango Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup mango, diced
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, mango, red bell pepper, and red onion.
- Add lime juice and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on bread or in a lettuce wrap.
Tip: Use ripe but firm mangoes to keep the salad from becoming too mushy.
16. Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, ranch dressing, bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on a bun or with crackers.
Tip: Crisp up the bacon in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes for even cooking and extra crunch.
17. Thai Peanut Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, and lime juice.
- Add the chicken, carrots, cabbage, and cilantro.
- Toss to coat evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve with rice or lettuce wraps.
Tip: Add a dash of warm water to the peanut butter dressing to thin it out for easier mixing and better coating.
18. Lemon Dill Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup cucumber, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, dill, and cucumber.
- Add lemon juice and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on bread or with crackers.
Tip: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh dill for a brighter, more refreshing flavor.
19. Southwest Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup corn kernels
- 1/4 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, mayonnaise, corn, black beans, red bell pepper, and cilantro.
- Add lime juice and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve in a tortilla or over greens.
Tip: Roast the corn in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding it to enhance its sweetness and smoky flavor.
20. Caprese Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken, pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve on a baguette or with crackers.
Tip: Drizzle balsamic glaze right before serving to keep the salad fresh and prevent it from becoming watery.
Conclusion
Chicken salad is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit any taste. From classic recipes to bold, international flavors, these 20 chicken salad recipes offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a crowd-pleasing party dish, these recipes are sure to impress. Try them out and discover your new favorite!