Our classic Chicken Salad recipe is the perfect cold summer salad to serve at a barbecue, potluck, or just for lunch. Our homemade chicken salad dressing spiced with a hint of fresh dill and lemon makes this creamy salad perfect as a wrap, sandwich, or just all by itself!

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Easy Homemade Chicken Salad

Everytime I go out to lunch with my girlfriends and I see chicken salad on the menu, I have to try it. Each place makes their chicken salad so differently, and Iโ€™m always looking for the best one. But, I have yet to find one thatโ€™s as good as this recipe! Iโ€™m not kidding when I say that this is the best homemade chicken salad recipe ever!

It only takes 10 minutes to put together and it can be served with pita chips, veggies, over a bed of lettuce or on bread for a traditional chicken salad sandwich. It makes for great leftovers, and usually one batch will provide a few days worth of lunches! The combination of ingredients and addition of dill is seriously to die for.

Why We Love This Classic Chicken Salad Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make
  • Healthy lunch or snack 
  • Can be served in a variety of ways
  • Low carb option (serve on or over lettuce)
  • Makes the perfect chicken salad sandwich
  • Tons of flavor
  • Great way to use up leftover chicken
  • Perfect for summer picnics or barbecue
  • Great as leftovers for 3-5 days
  • Can be frozen for up to 3 months
zoomed in chicken salad

Ingredients/Shopping List

  • 2ยฝ cups precooked chicken
  • ยฝ cup red onion
  • ยฝ cup mayonnaise
  • ยผ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • ยฝ -1 tsp salt
  • Optional garnish: minced fresh dill, sliced green onion

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How to Make Chicken Salad at Home

This recipe will come together in just 2 super easy steps and only takes about 10 minutes to prep. Itโ€™s best served cold and is delicious as leftovers for the next few days, too!

Place shredded chicken, chopped red onion and celery in a large bowl.
Pro-tip: If you are using canned chicken, make sure to drain it really well. After draining, you can even place it on a paper towel and pat it dry to make sure that it doesnโ€™t have extra water or oils. This will keep the chicken salad from getting too soggy or runny!

Place shredded chicken, chopped red onion and celery in a large bowl.

Stir together with the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, fresh dill, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic powder, lemon pepper until they are thoroughly combined.

Stir together with the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, fresh dill, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic powder, lemon pepper until they are thoroughly combined

Plate and serve with dill and green onion as optional garnish. 

chicken salad in a bowl

Variations / Options / Add-ins

  • PRECOOKED CHICKEN: Any chicken will work but make sure whatever chicken you use isnโ€™t greasy or saucy, since this recipe already has enough liquid. I love using rotisserie chicken. If using canned chicken, be sure to drain it well first.
  • ONION: You can choose which type of onion you want to use. I really like red onions for this salad. 
  • GREEK YOGURT: You can replace this with sour cream if you donโ€™t have any plain Greek yogurt. 
  • FRESH DILL: Fresh dill will taste the best but dried can be used in a pinch if necessary. Because dried dill is more concentrated in flavor, reduce it to just 1 teaspoon instead.
  • LEMON & LIME JUICE: Either fresh or from concentrate is fine. You can also use just lime juice, or just lemon juice, if you donโ€™t have both. 
  • SALT: I recommend adding salt to taste, but depending on if your cooked chicken has been salted, increase or decrease the amount of salt that you add in here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store Chicken Salad?
How to serve this Chicken Salad?
Are there any other things I can add to this Chicken Salad?
chicken salad inside croissant

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5 from 2 votes
chicken salad featured image

Chicken Salad

Author โ€” Jennifer Fishkind
Serves โ€”
The best Chicken Salad with our homemade chicken salad dressing spiced with a hint of fresh dill and lemon makes this creamy salad perfect as a wrap, sandwich, or just all by itself!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 2ยฝ cups precooked chicken shredded or diced
  • ยฝ cup red onion (about ยฝ onion), diced
  • ยฝ cup mayonnaise
  • ยผ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 celery stalks chopped (~ยพ cup)
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (about half of one small lemon)
  • 1 tbsp lime juice (about half a lime)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • ยฝ -1 tsp salt to taste
  • Optional garnish: minced fresh dill, sliced green onions

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    Instructions
     

    • Place chicken, red onion, mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, celery, fresh dill, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic powder, lemon pepper and salt in a large bowl and stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
    • Plate and serve with fresh dill and sliced green onions as garnishes, optional. Best when served cold.

    Jennโ€™s Notes

    Storage:
    Cover your chicken salad in an airtight container, and then refrigerate it for up to 3-5 days. You can also freeze this in an airtight container for a few months, no more than 3. Thaw in the refrigerator.
    Important Notes:
    If you are using canned chicken, make sure to drain it really well. After draining, you can even place it on a paper towel and pat it dry to make sure that it doesnโ€™t have extra water or oils. This will keep the chicken salad from getting too soggy or runny!
     

    Nutrition Info

    Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 251mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 77IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

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    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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