If you’ve been hunting for a truly delightful dish to brighten up your lunch or impress at your next gathering, look no further than this Best Chicken Salad Recipe. It’s a harmonious blend of tender shredded chicken, creamy dressing, crisp celery, tangy cranberries, and crunchy walnuts that come together to create a balance of flavors and textures that’s simply irresistible. This salad is bursting with fresh, savory, and slightly sweet notes, making it a perfect all-around recipe to keep in your culinary arsenal. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to whip up, making it a favorite comfort food that feels both fancy and effortless.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is a breeze for this recipe, yet each plays a crucial role in the final taste and texture. These simple staples come together to create a salad that’s creamy, crunchy, tangy, and lusciously satisfying all at once.
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded: The hearty base of the salad offering protein and a tender texture.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and richness to bind the ingredients smoothly.
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt: Lightens the dressing with a subtle tang and creamy body.
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard: Brings a zingy, sharp kick that cuts through the creaminess.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Freshens up the salad with bright acidity.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Introduces a mild, savory depth.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Provides gentle sweetness and earthiness.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all flavors perfectly.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a warm, subtle heat for balance.
- 1/2 cup celery, diced: Adds crispness and a refreshing crunch.
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped: Brings sharpness and bright purple color.
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries: Lends a sweet-tart pop that complements the savory elements.
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped: Adds buttery crunch and nutty richness.
How to Make Best Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by shredding your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. This makes the salad easier to eat and helps the dressing cling to every morsel for maximum flavor.
Step 2: Combine the Creamy Ingredients
Add the mayonnaise to the shredded chicken, mixing it in to coat evenly. Then fold in the Greek yogurt, which not only lightens the texture but adds that bright tang every great chicken salad needs. Stir well to create a creamy base.
Step 3: Bring in the Zing
Stir in the Dijon mustard and fresh lemon juice. These ingredients provide an exciting contrast to the creamy base, ensuring every bite bursts with fresh, lively flavor.
Step 4: Season with Spices
Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to build layers of savory depth. Stir the salad so the seasoning is distributed evenly, enhancing each forkful.
Step 5: Add the Crunch and Sweetness
Mix in the diced celery and finely chopped red onion for that crisp texture and a hint of sharpness. Then gently fold in the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts. These ingredients add contrasting bursts of sweetness and a satisfying crunch that elevate the salad beyond the ordinary.
Step 6: Chill and Meld Flavors
Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This step lets the flavors come together beautifully, resulting in a harmonious and crave-worthy dish.
Step 7: Final Taste Test and Adjustments
Before serving, give the salad a taste and tweak with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. This ensures the balance fits your personal preference perfectly.
How to Serve Best Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or dill make amazing garnishes, adding a pop of green and an herbaceous lift that complements the salad beautifully. You can also sprinkle a little extra walnut on top for added texture and visual interest.
Side Dishes
This chicken salad pairs wonderfully with crisp crackers, crusty bread, or even stuffed into pita pockets. Light sides like mixed greens or a simple fruit salad balance the richness, creating a well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Best Chicken Salad Recipe inside hollowed-out avocado halves or atop a bed of butter lettuce leaves for a delightful finger-food presentation. Another great idea is to use it as a filling for wraps or to nutty whole-grain toast for an easy, hearty lunch option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or snacks during the week.
Freezing
Because of the mayonnaise and yogurt, freezing this chicken salad is not recommended as the texture may suffer. Stick to fresh preparations for the best taste and consistency.
Reheating
This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you prefer, you can let it sit out for about 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off, but avoid microwaving as it will change the texture dramatically.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and actually saves time since it’s already cooked and flavorful.
What can I substitute for mayonnaise?
You can replace mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt or mashed avocado for a lighter or dairy-free option that still provides creaminess.
Is it possible to make this salad vegan?
To veganize, use plant-based mayo and yogurt alternatives and substitute chicken with chickpeas or tofu, though the taste and texture will differ.
Can I add other nuts or fruits?
Definitely! Pecans, almonds, or even pumpkin seeds work well, and dried cherries or raisins make great fruit alternatives to cranberries for variety.
How long should the salad chill before serving?
At least 30 minutes in the refrigerator helps meld the flavors beautifully, but a few hours or overnight will deepen the taste even more.
Final Thoughts
This Best Chicken Salad Recipe is truly a classic with a modern twist, combining the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and tangy elements that make each bite a joy. It’s so easy to prepare but feels special enough for company or a satisfying solo lunch. I can’t wait for you to try it and add your own favorite touches—this recipe is bound to become one of your new go-to meals!
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Best Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 0m
- Total Time: 0h 45m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Best Chicken Salad recipe is a creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish combining shredded cooked chicken with a tangy Greek yogurt and mayonnaise dressing, enhanced with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a blend of spices. Crunchy celery, red onion, dried cranberries, and walnuts add texture and bursts of sweetness and nuttiness, making it a perfect meal or snack served chilled on greens, sandwiches, or crackers.
Ingredients
Chicken Salad Base
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Shred the cooked chicken into small, bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl to form the salad base.
- Add Mayonnaise: Add the mayonnaise to the shredded chicken and mix well to evenly distribute the creamy base throughout the chicken.
- Incorporate Greek Yogurt: Spoon in the Greek yogurt and stir thoroughly to blend it with the mayonnaise and chicken, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Add Dijon Mustard: Mix in the Dijon mustard thoroughly to infuse a slight tang and depth of flavor into the salad.
- Mix Lemon Juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the mixture and stir to add bright, fresh acidity that balances the creaminess.
- Season: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper evenly over the mixture and stir until the spices are fully incorporated.
- Add Celery: Dice the celery into small pieces and fold them into the salad, adding a crisp and fresh texture.
- Add Red Onion: Finely chop the red onion and mix it in for sharpness and a mild bite.
- Add Dried Cranberries: Gently stir in dried cranberries to infuse subtle sweetness and chewy texture throughout the salad.
- Add Walnuts: Chop walnuts and fold them into the salad evenly for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to balance flavors to your preference.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
- Serve: Serve chilled on a bed of greens, as a sandwich filling, or alongside crackers for a delicious meal or snack.
Notes
- For best flavor, use freshly cooked chicken, but leftover or rotisserie chicken works well too.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt based on your desired creaminess and tanginess.
- Walnuts can be toasted lightly for a richer flavor before adding.
- If you prefer a sweeter salad, add more dried cranberries or a drizzle of honey.
- This chicken salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Serve immediately after chilling for the best texture and flavor combination.
