There are times in life where you just need to taste the fresh, slightly tangy, slightly sweet, entirely amazing taste of chicken salad.
If you’ve been searching for the best chicken salad recipe, look no further. This is an easy, tasty, and versatile recipe that will go well on sandwiches, on a salad, or (my preferred method) on crackers.
The amazing thing about any chicken salad recipe is that you can customize it and make it your own. Keep scrolling to see a list of options that you may want to try if you have the time and inclination.
What is so special about this chicken salad
I know there are a lot of different ways to make chicken salad. I’m sure your mom and grandma passed their favorite down to them through the years. And this one is no exception.
Give it a shot and you might find that the curry gives it the extra flavor kick you’ve been looking for. The apples are slightly sweet and compliment the other flavors nicely.
The miracle whip will help it last up to 5 days in the fridge without getting too watery. Just a simple stir needed before serving.
It’s also lower cholesterol because of the miracle whip, which is always nice for anyone keeping track.
Can chicken salad be frozen
The simple answer is no. Recipes with mayonaise tend to get water after they are frozen then thawed.
HOWEVER…
If you mix the ingredients -minus the apples and miracle whip – ahead of time, they can be frozen for a few months. After they thaw, give them a pat dry and add the apples, seasonings, and miracle whip.
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, but…
It definitely won’t taste as good. One of the best parts of chicken salad is the freshness of it. Use canned in a pinch, but it will be much better with fresh or leftover chicken.
What is in chicken salad?
This recipe contains the following ingredients:
- Cooked chicken
- Celery
- Sweet onion
- Apple
- Walnuts
- Miracle Whip
- Curry
- Salt/Pepper
See below for a list of possible customization options.
How to make chicken salad
Before you start making the salad, you will need cooked chicken. I boil mine because it makes for juicy chicken. However, roasted or rotisserie would also be amazing.
It is best to cool the chicken completely before mixing everything. However, you can also combine the ingredients before the chicken is cool but chill it before serving.
Start chopping
The rule of thumb for chicken salad is ‘the finer the chop the easier to eat’. I love love love my pampered chef chopper for this reason. However, no worries if you don’t have one. Just grab and knife and get to chopping.
You can do it in any order, but I’d recommend starting with the chicken.
As you chop, combine everything in a large mixing bowl.
An alternate option for those, like me, who struggle with chopping is to use the food processor. Lightly chop small amounts at a time so you don’t end up with mush.
Add the miracle whip and seasoning
This is pretty self-explanatory. Add everything in then mix it together.
If it’s dry our bland, you can add extra miracle whip 1 tbsp at a time until you reach the proper consistency.
Customization Options
Chicken salad is the pinnacle of customizable food. You can add almost anything and it will taste amazing. Here are some options for you:
- Eggs – add 2 hard boiled egss that have been shredded
- Fruit – replace or add to the apples with diced grapes or dried cranberries
- Herbs – chopped fresh dill would give it a unique flavor
- Nuts – replace the walnuts with cashews or almonds for a slightly different taste
- Seasonings – replace the curry with onion powder, garlic, and/or lemon juice
- Sauce – go with the traditional mayonnaise or even greek yogurt
Dietary Considerations
This recipe is most likely gluten-free, as long as your check your individual ingredients to make sure there isn’t any hidden in the curry or miracle whip.
Serve it as a lettuce wrap for a completely gluten free chicken salad.
It does, however, contain nightshades and nuts for those who have a problem with those items.
If you have a sensitive palate, the miracle whip could be an issue for you. It contains soy, sugar, cornstarch, and eggs. You can always switch to greek yogurt or mayonnaise, if needed.
Serve and enjoy!
recipe
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Amanda, this looks delicious! It’s hard to believe but I had never had chicken salad until I met my husband. He suggested making up a quick batch one day. My comment was, “Oh, I’ve never had that!” He looked stunned 🙂 It’s certainly a Southern staple in a lot of places, along with potato salad.
I’m so glad you shared this recipe because it really does sound incredible. We just might be trying your tasty version in the very near future! I’ve shared it on Pinterest and Twitter so others can come and enjoy.
Stay safe sweet Amanda and keep being your amazing self. ♥
My family is straight out of Texas, which is where this and our potato salad recipe comes from 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you enjoy it when you try it!!