For a chicken salad recipe that’s guaranteed to be a total winner, look no further! This homemade chicken salad is wonderfully creamy without being overly wet, it isn’t too sweet or too tangy, and incorporates the PERFECT balance of flavors! But don’t take my word for it or the hundreds of rave reviews below, give it a try and experience it for yourself!
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.
BEST Chicken Salad Recipe
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.
Serve as a salad on a bed of lettuce or as a sandwich filling. We love it on croissants.
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
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
Pat says
I used about 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breast. Low fat sour cream and 1/2 lowfat may and 1/2 regular mayo. Turned out excellent.
Kimberly Killebrew says
I’m so glad, Pat, thank you!
Melanie Parker says
This is the best chicken salad. I have served this at baby showers, potlucks, birthdays and for a summer dinner. everyone loves it. I add a little more chicken and some chopped nuts for some added saltiness and it’s wonderful. Everyone is always asking for the recipe.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Melanie, I really appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback!
Janice Devine says
Hi , just made your chicken salad and quartered a pineapple cored placed on bed of lettuce with the chicken salad on top of the cubed pineapple quartered . Delightful❣️So good 😊
Judith Harris says
Second time I have made this…..absolutely wonderful…big hit with my bridge group and today making for a get together Xmas tonight…only thing I added was slivered almonds.
CATHERINE Jackson says
What to do adding too much sweet relish to my chicken salad
Tracy Lloyd says
This chicken salad recipe was absolutely amazing! I made it for my daughter’s hair salon grand opening and it was a hit. Everyone was asking who made it and went back for seconds and thirds. It went quicker than any other food we served that day. I served it on croissants and also put a bowl out with crackers. Every last bit was eaten, and I was bummed I didn’t have any leftovers to take home. 😁 You won’t go wrong serving this, whether it’s for an event, or just for you to enjoy at home.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Tracy, I’m thrilled to hear that and appreciate the feedback! :)
Polo says
I think tarragon might be good in place of the dill weed.
Pam says
Best chicken salad ever!!! I add sliced almonds..yummy 😋
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Pam, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Kay says
Absolutely the best I’ve ever made so impressed
Wonderful
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Kay, I’m happy you enjoyed it! :)
Karen says
Can you add pecans to this?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Absolutely, Karen!
Connie says
How far ahead can the sauce be made?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Connie, I wouldn’t make it more than one day in advance.
KB says
This is by far the best chicken salad recipe ever.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, KB!
Shelly says
This is hands down the best Chicken Salad I have ever had!!! I make it once every 2 weeks for my husband’s lunch! He LOVES it!!! I Love it too!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad, Shelly, thank you so much! :)
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!