Easy Chicken Salad 

Updated July 2, 2024

Easy Chicken Salad 
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
20 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Rating
5(479)
Comments
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This simple chicken salad makes great use of leftover chicken, though you can certainly use a rotisserie chicken or roast or boil chicken breasts for this recipe. The recipe calls for classic crunchy mix-ins such as grapes, celery and pecans, but feel free to make it your own: Use a diced tart apple in place of the grapes, or toss in a handful of dried cranberries. Chicken salad gets better as it sits, so make this at least a few hours in advance if you can, or make it on Monday to have on hand for lunches all week long. 

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • ½cup mayonnaise
  • 1tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • ½teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3cups diced cooked chicken breast
  • ½cup finely chopped celery (about 1 large stalk)
  • ½cup seedless grapes, quartered
  • ½cup toasted pecans, chopped (see Tip)
  • ¼cup minced red onion (about ¼ small onion)
  • 2tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Toasted bread, lettuce cups or crackers, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

320 calories; 23 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 11 grams polyunsaturated fat; 4 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 23 grams protein; 300 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper; whisk until smooth. Add the chicken, celery, grapes, pecans, onion and parsley and mix well. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

  2. Step 2

    Serve on toasted bread or lettuce cups, or with crackers. Chicken salad will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Tip
  • Toast pecans on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Ratings

5 out of 5
479 user ratings
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Comments

robert, that's the point! This is a great recipe for a basic chicken salad. As the chef suggests you can use this for the base and add other options to your liking. I like tarragon and celery. If you want to make a chicken curry salad just add some curry powder and grapes. So many of us now are afraid to cook.... Start with the basic recipe and add something that you like and think would be good. Walnuts, sliced almonds, dried cranberries, whatever. Just have fun and enjoy.

Can you substitute Greek Yogurt for the mayo to bring down the fat content?

If you omit the mustard and add an apple, this is a great Waldorf salad. Excellent in pita pockets, whole wheat, or in a wrap.

Solid recipe. I spiced up with 1/4 tsp garlic powder and chipotle powder. Thank you!

Great for a clean-out-the-refrigerator kind of lunch. I used red wine vinegar (little less than 1 tbsp) instead of white wine vinegar. Cilantro instead of parsley. Blueberries instead of grapes. No onion (the hubby doesn’t eat them). Walnuts instead of pecans. Turned out really great.

A classic and fairly basic chicken salad-but basic doesn't mean boring. It is a good recipe on its own and able to take some of your own "extras" to make it even better.

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