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
Scale
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.
