The Ultimate Classic Chicken Salad for Quick Lunch Prep
Create a timeless, creamy chicken salad perfect for easy lunches, sandwiches, or meal prep. This simple recipe uses rotisserie chicken for speed and delivers fresh, satisfying flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (use your preferred brand)
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the shredded chicken in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, chopped celery, sweet pickle relish (if using), Dijon mustard, and lemon juice to the bowl with the chicken.
- Mix all ingredients gently until the chicken is evenly coated and the salad reaches your desired creaminess.
- Season with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Cover the bowl and chill the chicken salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
- Serve the chicken salad on toasted bread for a classic chicken salad sandwich, with crackers, or in lettuce wraps for a light and refreshing salad option.
Notes
- For a Southern Style Chicken Salad variation, add 1/4 cup chopped pecans and 1/4 cup halved red grapes.
- To make this a Low Carb Chicken Salad Option, skip the relish and use crisp lettuce cups instead of bread.
- This recipe is excellent for Meal Prep Chicken Salad; it keeps well in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 21
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 95