Chicken salad is a versatile dish made primarily with chopped chicken, mayonnaise, and a variety of other ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, nuts, and seeds. It’s a classic salad perfect for sandwiches, wraps, on top of greens, or just scooped up with crackers or bread. The flavors, textures, and possibilities are endless.
What are the main ingredients in chicken salad?
While recipes can vary greatly, the core ingredients in chicken salad are:
- Chicken – diced or shredded cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken works great.
- Mayonnaise – binds everything together and adds creaminess. Regular, light, or vegan mayo can be used.
- Seasonings – salt, pepper, spices like curry powder or paprika, herbs like dill, parsley, or tarragon.
- Crunch – nuts like pecans or almonds, seeds like poppy or sesame.
- Vegetables – celery, onions, bell peppers, raisins, dried cranberries, etc.
What types of chicken can be used?
Any cooked chicken works well in chicken salads including:
- Rotisserie chicken – deli-cooked whole chickens that are easy to shred or dice.
- Roasted chicken – great way to use up leftover roast chicken.
- Poached chicken – gently simmered boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Grilled chicken – impart smoky flavors.
- Baked chicken – baked chicken breasts, thighs or wings.
For best flavor and texture, do not use uncooked chicken. Use fully cooked chicken that is cooled or chilled before adding to the salad.
What vegetables are commonly added?
Some vegetables that pair well in chicken salads include:
- Celery – provides crunch and fresh flavor.
- Onion – white, yellow, green, or red onions add bite.
- Bell peppers – red, green, yellow, or orange add color and crunch.
- Cucumbers – provide cool, crisp texture.
- Carrots – shredded or diced.
- Corn – for summery flavor.
- Grapes or raisins – sweet contrast.
- Dried cranberries or cherries – tangy flavor and chew.
Generally any fresh vegetables on hand can be used. Play around with textures and flavors!
What are some add-in protein options?
Beyond chicken, other proteins can be mixed in such as:
- Bacon – cooked, crumbled bacon adds a smoky crunch.
- Turkey – for lighter texture.
- Ham – diced ham.
- Hard boiled eggs – egg whites or yolks.
- Beans – black beans, chickpeas or white beans for extra fiber and protein.
- Tuna – especially for chicken tuna salad.
- Shrimp – cooked shrimp or imitation crab.
What are some crunchy add-ins?
For contrasting texture, try adding:
- Nuts – slivered or chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.
- Seeds – poppy, sesame, sunflower.
- Granola
- Crushed crackers or croutons
- Crisp noodles
- Fried onions or shallots
What dried fruits or veggies work well?
Dried fruits add concentrated sweetness. Dried veggies provide texture. Options include:
- Raisins
- Dried cranberries
- Dried cherries
- Currants
- Chopped dried apricots
- Sun-dried tomatoes
What seasonings can be used?
Season chicken salad with:
- Salt & pepper
- Spices – paprika, curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder
- Fresh herbs – dill, chives, parsley, cilantro, mint, basil, oregano, rosemary
- Citrus – lemon, lime, orange juice/zest
- Honey, maple syrup, or preserves
- Vinegars – balsamic, red wine, rice wine, sherry
- Prepared mustards – Dijon, whole grain, etc.
What are good chicken salad flavor combinations?
Some tasty flavor combo ideas:
- Tarragon, grapes, pecans
- Curry, mango chutney, almonds
- Basil, tomatoes, parmesan
- Dill, cucumbers, black pepper
- Cilantro, lime, avocado
- Apple, celery, walnuts
- Lemon, blueberries, poppy seeds
What types of mayonnaise work best?
Any mayonnaise can be used in chicken salad:
- Regular mayo – Most classic chicken salad recipes call for regular full-fat mayonnaise which provides the richest flavor and creamiest texture.
- Light mayo – To cut down on calories and fat, light mayonnaise can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio.
- Vegan mayo – For plant-based or vegan chicken salads, use vegan mayo to keep it dairy-free.
- Greek yogurt – Plain greek yogurt can replace some or all mayo for a tangy twist.
How much mayonnaise should be used?
The amount of mayonnaise to use depends on personal taste and how creamy you want the salad. Some general guidelines are:
- 1/2 to 1 cup mayonnaise per 3 cups cooked chicken
- Start with less mayo and add more as needed to reach desired consistency
- For creamier salad, use more mayo. For lighter salad, use less.
- Add mayo incrementally and stir to evenly coat chicken and ingredients
What are good substitutions if no mayonnaise is available?
If you don’t have mayonnaise, try these substitutions:
- Greek yogurt
- Sour cream
- Cottage cheese
- Avocado
- Hummus or tahini
- Blender Hollandaise or aioli
- Silken tofu
- Mashed hard boiled egg
For best results, choose a substitute with a neutral flavor and creamy consistency.
What are good ways to serve chicken salad?
Chicken salad shines in these presentations:
- Sandwiches – Scooped onto rolls, croissants, bread slices
- Wraps – Stuffed into tortillas or flatbread
- Lettuce cups – Scoops served on top of lettuce leaves
- Salad topping – Served on a fresh green salad
- Crackers – Scooped on top of crackers
- Stuffed – Into pitas, tomatoes, boiled eggs, avocado
- Kabobs – Skewered with fruit and veggies
What are good chicken salad sandwich toppings?
Take sandwiches up a notch with these delicious additions:
- Lettuce or spinach
- Tomato slices
- Bacon
- Avocado
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced apples or pears
- Sprouts
- Pickles
- Onions
- Shredded cheese
What are some crunchy coatings for chicken?
Before mixing chicken into salad, coat it with:
- Crushed crackers
- Crushed potato chips
- Crushed nuts
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Shredded coconut
- Crushed corn flakes
- Crushed pretzels
Coatings add fun flavors and textures!
How should chicken be prepared for salad?
For the best texture and flavor, prepare chicken using these tips:
- Start with fully cooked chicken that is chilled or cooled.
- Skinless, boneless chicken tends to work best.
- Cut or shred chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Don’t over-handle chicken or it can turn mushy.
- Chop to approximately 1/2″ pieces for even texture and flavor distribution.
What food safety practices should be followed?
To safely make chicken salad:
- Always use cooked chicken.
- Refrigerate salad right after preparation.
- Store salad in airtight containers up to 3-5 days.
- Keep salad chilled at 40°F or below.
- Wash cutting boards, utensils, bowls between steps.
- Clean hands thoroughly before and during prep.
Conclusion
Chicken salad is a versatile and customizable dish that’s perfect for using up leftover chicken. With so many possible ingredient combinations, the options are endless for creating your own signature chicken salad. Follow basic food safety practices and let your tastes guide you to find your favorite chicken salad recipe!