If you ask me, chicken salad is one of those magical dishes that’s always in style. It works for brunches, lazy summer lunches, office meal prep, or when you’re simply trying to make leftover chicken exciting again. And the best part? There’s a version for every mood—creamy, crunchy, fruity, spicy—you name it.
So, if you’re as obsessed as I am, here’s a roundup of 15 classic chicken salad recipes that have stood the test of time. Get your forks (or sandwich bread) ready!
1. Old-Fashioned Creamy Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Shredded cooked chicken, mayo, celery, red onion, salt, pepper, and a splash of lemon juice.
Taste & Look: This one’s a deli classic—creamy, mildly tangy, and full of soft bites with a little crunch from the celery. Serve it on crackers or stuff it into a croissant. Pure comfort.
2. Southern Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Boiled chicken, Duke’s mayo, chopped hard-boiled eggs, sweet relish, and a hint of mustard.
Taste & Look: Creamy and tangy with little pops of sweetness. It has that nostalgic Southern charm—perfect for a summer picnic or sandwich.
3. Chicken Waldorf Salad
Ingredients: Diced chicken, red grapes, celery, walnuts, apples, mayo, and a bit of Greek yogurt.
Taste & Look: A beautiful medley of sweet and savory. The grapes and apples give it a crisp, juicy bite, while the walnuts add that rich crunch.
4. Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Shredded chicken, ripe avocado, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a sprinkle of chili flakes.
Taste & Look: Green, creamy, and fresh with zesty notes. It’s a great mayo-free option and tastes fantastic on toast.
5. Curry Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Cooked chicken, curry powder, mayo, raisins or chopped dried apricots, celery, and almonds.
Taste & Look: This one’s for flavor adventurers! It’s golden in color and brings a mildly spicy-sweet kick with a nutty crunch.
6. Deli-Style Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Roasted chicken, mayo, dill pickles, celery, garlic powder, and a touch of vinegar.
Taste & Look: Tangy, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. It’s your go-to for that classic deli sandwich flavor.
7. Chicken Caesar Salad (with a twist)
Ingredients: Grilled chicken, romaine, Caesar dressing, Parmesan, and croutons—with a little mayo or Greek yogurt to bind.
Taste & Look: Think Caesar salad meets chicken salad. It’s creamy, garlicky, and crisp, and works great in wraps or lettuce cups.
8. Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Cooked chicken, honey mustard sauce, celery, and chopped scallions.
Taste & Look: Slightly sweet, tangy, and zingy with golden tones. Tastes amazing on toasted brioche or lettuce wraps.
9. Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, feta, olive oil, and oregano.
Taste & Look: A colorful, hearty mix with bold, salty flavors. Light and fresh but still super satisfying.
10. Buffalo Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Shredded rotisserie chicken, buffalo sauce, celery, blue cheese crumbles, and Greek yogurt or ranch.
Taste & Look: Spicy, creamy, and made for hot wing fans. It’s orange, bold, and calls for dipping with chips or stuffing into wraps.
11. Poppy Seed Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Chicken, mayo, sour cream, grapes, poppy seeds, and sliced almonds.
Taste & Look: It’s sweet and nutty with a light crunch and beautiful specks of poppy seeds throughout. Super elegant, especially for tea sandwiches.
12. Herbed Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Chicken, mayo or yogurt, parsley, dill, tarragon, scallions, and lemon juice.
Taste & Look: Herbaceous and fresh with garden-like brightness. You’ll want to eat it by the spoonful.
13. Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Pulled store-bought rotisserie chicken, mayo, celery, and a bit of Dijon mustard.
Taste & Look: Easy, fast, and flavorful. The rotisserie chicken adds depth and smokiness to the creamy base.
14. Tarragon Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Poached chicken, fresh tarragon, mayo, lemon juice, and grapes.
Taste & Look: A sophisticated option with subtle licorice notes from the tarragon and a touch of fruity sweetness.
15. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Chicken, plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, celery, and lemon zest.
Taste & Look: A healthier twist with a creamy, tangy flavor. Still rich, but with fewer calories and a bit more zing.
Final Bite
If you haven’t found a favorite yet, I say try a couple! Chicken salad is the ultimate canvas—you can dress it up, lighten it down, or go bold with spices. Whether you love it creamy, crunchy, fruity, or spicy, these classic chicken salad recipes never disappoint.
