This easy classic chicken salad recipe is fresh, creamy, bright, perfectly chilled, bursting with flavor, and quick and easy to make and adapt to your liking for a high-protein, flavorful addition to any meal!
If you haven't already, first cook and cool the chicken. Then cut it into small pieces.
Finely dice the red onion and celery, and mince the fresh herbs.
Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and stir well until thoroughly combined.
Leave the salad to "marinate" in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for all the flavors to meld, then give it a final taste test and adjust any of the seasonings to taste. Enjoy!
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Notes
To save time: Use pre-cooked chicken leftovers or store-bought rotisserie chicken.
Use chilled chicken: It shouldn’t be warm when preparing the salad.
Adjust the texture: You can use roughly chopped, finely diced, or shredded chicken.
Finely chop veggies: This ensures you get a little of everything in each bite.
Experiment with add-ins: There are plenty of optional chicken salad ingredients to choose from:
Lemon juice: A little fresh lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar) will help to brighten the overall flavor.
Nuts/Seeds: Will add crunch. I.e., almonds, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds. Lightly toast them for extra flavor.
Fruit: Add a little sweetness (and color) with red or green seedless grapes, chopped apples/pears, or dried cranberries/ cherries.
Pickles: (or pickle relish) Just a little, finely chopped, for extra tang.
Avocado: Either add diced avocado or replace some mayo with mashed avocado for extra creaminess, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats.
Hard-boiled eggs: Finely chopped for extra protein and creaminess.