Description
Shortcut Chicken Salad is a quick and creamy American-style salad made with tender cooked chicken, crunchy celery, red onion, and a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing. Utilizing rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken, this easy recipe comes together in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy weekdays, quick lunches, picnics, or meal prepping. Enjoy it as a sandwich filling, in lettuce wraps, or served over fresh greens for a satisfying and flavorful meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Chicken Salad
- 3 cups cooked shredded or diced chicken
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup halved grapes or chopped apples
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Shred or dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Using rotisserie chicken works especially well for this shortcut recipe, providing tender and flavorful meat.
- Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the vegetables: Stir in the finely diced celery and red onion to the dressing to add crunch and pungent flavor.
- Combine everything: Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken to the bowl and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Customize the salad: Fold in the optional ingredients such as fresh parsley, halved grapes or chopped apples, and chopped pecans or walnuts for added freshness, sweetness, and texture.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the chicken salad for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Enjoy the chicken salad served on sandwich bread, croissants, crackers, in lettuce cups, or over a bed of fresh greens for a delicious and easy meal.
Notes
- Save time by using store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to simplify preparation.
- Adjust the creaminess by adding extra mayonnaise or substituting part of it with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter texture.
- Add extra crunch and flavor with chopped almonds, pecans, additional celery, or diced apples.
- Make it lighter by replacing half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Prepare the salad up to one day in advance and keep refrigerated in an airtight container for convenience.
- Store the chicken salad promptly in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) and consume within 3 to 4 days for freshness and safety.
- Pair the chicken salad with lettuce, tomato, and whole-grain bread for a wholesome and satisfying lunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Main Course, Salad, Sandwiches
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
