The Best Chicken Salad Recipe

This chicken salad recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, creamy blend of tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and perfectly balanced seasonings. Made with oven-roasted chicken breasts that infuse deep flavor into every bite, this classic dish elevates lunch to something truly special. Whether sandwiched between slices of crusty bread or served atop crisp lettuce, this versatile chicken salad comes together in under an hour and promises to become your new go-to recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Bone-in Chicken Breasts: The foundation of our salad. Using bone-in, skin-on breasts delivers much more flavor than boneless, and helps keep the meat juicy during roasting.
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning: This adds brightness and complexity without requiring multiple spices. It perfectly complements the chicken and brings the whole dish together.
• Olive Oil: Just a light drizzle helps the chicken skin crisp up and keeps the meat moist during roasting.
• Mayonnaise: Provides the creamy base for our dressing. Use full-fat for the best flavor, though light can work in a pinch.
• Sour Cream: This adds tanginess and a silky texture that mayonnaise alone can’t achieve. It’s the secret ingredient that makes this chicken salad special.
• Celery: Brings essential crunch and a fresh, subtle flavor that cuts through the richness.
• Red Onion: Adds a mild bite and beautiful color contrast. Finely dicing ensures flavor in every bite without overwhelming chunks.
• Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance all the other flavors. Don’t skimp here.

Variations

Looking to switch things up? Try these delicious variations:

• Fruity Twist: Add halved grapes, diced apples, or dried cranberries for sweetness.
• Nutty Crunch: Incorporate toasted walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds.
• Herby Freshness: Mix in chopped fresh dill, tarragon, or parsley.
• Mediterranean Style: Add diced cucumber, kalamata olives, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Curry Chicken Salad: Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of curry powder and add golden raisins.

How to Make The Best Chicken Salad

Step 1: Roast the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the chicken breasts skin side up on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and generously sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning. Roast for 35-45 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken cool completely before proceeding.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Once cooled, remove and discard the skin and bones. Dice the chicken meat into bite-sized chunks. The chicken should be small enough to eat easily but large enough to provide texture.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, finely diced celery, finely diced red onion, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Add the diced chicken to the dressing mixture and fold gently until the chicken is well coated. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate to allow flavors to meld.

How to Serve

This versatile chicken salad shines in multiple serving styles:

Sandwich Style

Serve between slices of toasted sourdough, croissants, or soft brioche rolls with lettuce and tomato for a classic lunch.

Light and Fresh

Scoop onto a bed of mixed greens, with sliced avocado and cherry tomatoes for a low-carb option.

Party Perfect

Offer as a dip with sturdy crackers, cucumber rounds, or endive leaves for elegant entertaining.

Picnic Ready

Stuff into pita pockets with sprouts or roll into wraps with leafy greens for portable meals.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually improve after the first day as they have time to develop and meld.

Make Ahead Tips

You can roast the chicken up to two days in advance. Keep it refrigerated until ready to assemble the salad. The complete salad can be made up to 24 hours ahead of serving.

Freezing

Unfortunately, this recipe doesn’t freeze well due to the mayonnaise and sour cream base, which can separate upon thawing.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This chicken salad recipe transforms humble ingredients into something truly special. The combination of tender roasted chicken, creamy dressing, and crunchy vegetables creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re packing lunches, planning a picnic, or just looking for a satisfying meal that doesn’t require reheating, this recipe has you covered. Give it a try—I’m confident it will become a regular in your recipe rotation!

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