For a chicken salad recipe that’s guaranteed to be a total winner, look no further! This chicken salad is wonderfully creamy without being overly wet, it isn’t too sweet or too tangy, and incorporates the PERFECT balance of flavors!
Best Chicken Salad Recipe
I’m a sentimental romantic. So you’ll have to indulge me for a moment.
One of my favorite movies of all time is the Megan Follows version of Anne of Green Gables and its sequel. Would it be too dramatic to say that growing up, those movies helped shape who I am? Yes, that’s pretty dramatic. But in some small but meaningful ways I believe they did.
As I was making this chicken salad a line from the movie came to mind. (That’s what happens when you have the entire dialogue of the movie memorized.) Diana and Anne are standing on the cliffside of scenic Prince Edward Island overlooking the ocean, the wind blowing in their hair, staring off into the sunset.
Diana says to Anne, “I wish I were rich and I could spend the whole summer at a hotel, eating ice cream and chicken salad.”
Anne responds thoughtfully, “You know something, Diana? We are rich. We have sixteen years to our credit, and we both have wonderful imaginations. We should be as happy as queens.”
Nodding at the setting sun over the ocean, Anne observes, “Look at that. You couldn’t enjoy its loveliness more if you had ropes of diamonds….I am happy Diana, and nothing is going to hold me back.”
Without a doubt, one of life’s simple but greatest pleasures is good food – food that’s thoughtfully prepared and shared with those you love.
So in celebration of Diana’s desire for good food, and in appreciation of Anne’s understanding that happiness is how you interpret it, here’s a delicious chicken salad you can enjoy with your family and friends!
This salad is wonderfully creamy without being overly wet, it isn’t too sweet or too tangy, and it incorporates the perfect balance of flavors. The sour cream adds a touch of freshness to offset the heaviness of the mayonnaise. Bite into and we’re confident you’ll be very happy indeed.
Use this chicken salad recipe for sandwiches, croissants or in wraps. Or, for a low-carb option, serve it on top of a bed of salad leaves with some sliced tomatoes and avocado.
How to Make the BEST Chicken Salad
Let’s get started!
Place the diced chicken, celery, green onions and grapes in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all remaining ingredients to make the sauce and stir to combine.
Scoop the mayo sauce over the chicken salad and stir to combine, making sure the chicken salad is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.
Enjoy!
A few other recipes we think you’ll love!
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Macaroni Salad
- Crunchy Broccoli Salad
- Potato Salad
- Freezer Slaw
- Waldorf Salad
- Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
- Broccoli Pasta Salad
- Thai Quinoa Salad
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BEST Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless ,skinless chicken breasts cooked in lightly salted water then chilled in the fridge and diced, about 4 cups (for the best texture, avoid canned chicken)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 1/2 cups halved seedless red grapes
- 3 green onions ,chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise (for a healthier choice use Avocado Oil Mayonnaise)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the diced chicken, celery, green onions and grapes in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the remaining ingredients to make the sauce and stir to combine. Pour the mayo sauce over the chicken salad and stir to combine and thoroughly coat the salad.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Serve on sandwiches, croissants or in wraps with some lettuce. For a low-carb option, serve on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomato and avocado.
Nutrition
Originally published on the The Daring Gourmet on Jul 13, 2017
Brian says
This looks delicious, Kimberly. I can’t wait to make this. Your story about Anne of Green Gables is interesting, because my great-niece told me that she will be watching one of the episodes this week. I told her to take note of the scene with Anne & Gilbert, in front of the glass greenhouse, because I live around the corner from there. That scene was filmed at Allan Gardens Conservatory, Toronto. The greenhouse is always full of beautiful flowers. Anyway, your chicken salad looks like a winner. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
How wonderful, Brian, thank you for sharing! I’m drawing a blank on that scene, which is crazy because I have those films practically memorized! I’ll have to look it up and refresh my memory.
Deborah says
This sounds like what is served at one of the restaurants close by. I love it. I’ll try this recipe soon. Maybe for the 4th of July and double the recipe as well be having company.
I have never seen the movies of Anne of Green Gables, but I have read all the books. They are still some of my favorites.
Linda Shukri says
I have made your best chicken salad! I agree! It’s delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Linda, thank you so much!
Dottie Hashizumi says
I went straight to the recipe after looking at the photos…… but there was a moment of disappointment.
Your photos appeared misleading to me. It was not a new chicken salad for me. I’ve made it with grapes & nuts & do love it.
So where did I feel mislead…… ? I thought the chicken salad had my beloved blueberries in it; Didn’t find blueberries as an ingredients & went back to kook at your photos. Maybe you used black grapes.
It doesn’t matter, I am going to try it made with blueberries, but thought you might wish to know some input to the photos,
SusieQ says
Wow, I didn’t follow the recipe to a t, but it was delicious, seriously delicious!
I made it with 2 cups of chicken
cut the mayo and sour cream in 1/2
used 1 cup of grapes and 1 cup of celery
didn’t use onion powder
used fresh dill (about 2 tablespoons)
Plus I only chilled it for one hour because we needed to eat. I put it over butter lettuce, a little avacado and tomatoe. Sided it with a small round of Naan bread with butter. It was sooooo good. Will make it again.
Pam says
I just made this out of desperation for my husband’s work lunch. I had seasoned chicken breast in the freezer. I did add some hard boiled eggs. I only had regular onions and no celery. It was still delicious!
I love my normal chicken salad, but I wanted to try something different. Now I have two that I love. Thank you for sharing!
Jen says
This has become my all time favorite go-to recipe or chicken salad!! Sooooo good!!
Anonymous says
Great recipe but I would not expect anything less from a kindred spirit!
Mary says
Yep! This is the best chicken salad!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Mary! :)
Mary Clapp says
We can’t stop eating this chicken salad! I make it once a week! Thank you for such an amazing recipe! Genius ingredients come together to make a rich, perfect taste! The only thing different I did was to substitute dried cranberries for the grapes and added toasted pecans or sliced almonds. Don’t forget the croissants! They are a must!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Mary, thank you so much!
Salley B says
I made this today and my family loved it! This is going to be my go to chicken salad. I can easily change it up with cranberries and nuts.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad, Salley, thank you!
Dave says
My new go-to for chicken salad! A mix of breast and thighs work really well for this also.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, thanks so much, Dave!
Barb says
I have made this twice now and both times it was a hit! I didn’t have grapes so I used a mix of dried cranberries & dried cherries with chopped walnuts & pecans… It was awesome! Also, instead of bread I used lettuce and made wraps!! Less carbs! Was wonderful!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Barb, thanks so much for the feedback!
Debbie says
This is absolutely the best chicken salad I have ever had. The only thing I do different is add pecans. I have made this before for a luncheon and am making it again with a pasta salad for another luncheon. Everyone loves it!!! Thank you for the best chicken salad.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Debbie, I’m thrilled to hear that!
Crystal says
Making this for my daughters graduation! I can’t wait! It looks and.sounds amazing!
Kelly Burns says
Making this for my daughter’s baby shower. How far in advance can I make it? My thought was to just community ingredients and wait to do the dressing? Your thought?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Kelly, with the dressing you can make it the day before.
Lauri Weston says
One word: YUMMMMMMM!!!!! I used Rotisserie chicken and add sliced almonds!! <3
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Lauri, thanks so much for the feedback!
Anonymous says
I LOVE this chicken salad!! My absolute new favorite. Thank you for the recipe.
Flora says
For a little crunch I added chopped toasted pecans… yum