19 Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
1. Classic Chicken Salad
This classic chicken salad is a quick and easy lunch or snack option that is endlessly customizable. To make it, simply shred or dice cooked chicken breasts and toss with mayonnaise, celery, onion, salt, and pepper for a creamy and flavorful chicken salad. The mayo acts as the binder while the celery and onion add crunch and fresh flavor. This basic chicken salad works well on its own in a sandwich or wrap, scooped onto lettuce for a salad, or served atop crackers as an appetizer. Adjust the ingredient amounts to your taste – add more mayo for a creamier texture or extra celery and onion for more crunch. Chopped nuts, dried fruit, herbs, or spices can also be added to put your own twist on the classic.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Mayonnaise
- Celery
- Onion
- Salt
- Pepper
Recipe
2. Buffalo Chicken Salad
For a fun and flavorful take on chicken salad, make buffalo chicken salad. To make this salad, shred or dice cooked chicken and toss with Buffalo hot sauce. The hot sauce infuses the chicken with tangy, spicy Buffalo flavor. Next add some creamy ranch dressing which cools down and balances the heat. Mix in shredded cheese like cheddar or pepperjack for even more flavor and creaminess. For crunch, dice some celery and toss it in or serve the salad over a bed of chopped lettuce. Garnish with extra ranch or hot sauce. This chicken salad is especially delicious scooped into a halved avocado or served in a tortilla wrap.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Buffalo hot sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Shredded cheddar or pepperjack cheese
- Celery
- Lettuce
Recipe
3. Italian Chicken Salad
An Italian-inspired chicken salad is one delicious way to spice up the basics. Start by shredding or dicing cooked chicken breasts and tossing with pesto sauce. The pesto adds bold herby flavor and creaminess. Next add diced sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of umami along with shredded or shaved parmesan cheese. Baby spinach is the perfect salad green for this recipe, as it pairs nicely with the pesto. The spinach leaves can be lightly dressed with extra pesto or an Italian vinaigrette. For extra flavor, toast pine nuts and sprinkle over the salad. Scoop the chicken salad into a hollowed out tomato or pair with crusty bread for a tasty lunch.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Pesto
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Parmesan cheese
- Baby spinach
- Italian vinaigrette
- Pine nuts (optional)
Recipe
4. Mexican Chicken Salad
For a flavorful Tex-Mex inspired chicken salad, start by shredding or dicing cooked chicken breasts. In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, black beans, corn, salsa, and diced avocado. The beans, corn, and avocado add protein, creaminess, and fresh flavor. For even more Southwestern flavor, use a chipotle or lime cilantro salad dressing. Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips make the perfect crunchy topping for this salad. Scoop the chicken into lettuce cups or stuff into a tortilla wrap for an easy lunch. This chicken salad also pairs well with rice and beans or can be served as a dip with tortilla chips.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Black beans
- Corn
- Salsa
- Avocado
- Tortilla strips
- Chipotle or lime cilantro dressing
Recipe
5. Greek Chicken Salad
Transport your chicken salad to the Mediterranean with some classic Greek flavors. Start with shredded or diced cooked chicken and mix in crumbled feta, kalamata olives, diced cucumber, and red onion. The briny olives, creamy cheese, and fresh vegetables add lots of flavor. Toss everything with a lemony Greek dressing. Lettuce like romaine or baby spinach work well as the base. For extra Mediterranean flair, add chickpeas, tomato wedges, or pepperoncini. Serve garnished with pitas, Greek yogurt sauce, or extra feta. This Greek-inspired chicken salad also works well as a stuffing for grape leaves or a pita sandwich filling.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Feta cheese
- Kalamata olives
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Greek dressing
- Romaine or spinach
Recipe
6. Cranberry Chicken Salad
For a festive chicken salad, mix in some sweet dried cranberries. Start with a basic chicken salad of shredded cooked chicken, mayonnaise, and celery. Then stir in sweet and tangy dried cranberries along with chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch. The cranberries and nuts complement the chicken nicely. For extra flavor, add some chopped green onions or parsley. Serve this cranberry chicken salad over lettuce or scoop it into avocado halves. To dress it up, serve in hollowed out orange halves or on croissants. It also makes a lovely tea sandwich on crustless bread. This chicken salad is especially suited for fall and winter meals.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Mayonnaise
- Celery
- Dried cranberries
- Pecans or walnuts
- Green onions or parsley (optional)
Recipe
7. Asian Chicken Salad
For an Asian-inspired chicken salad, marinate cooked chicken in a blend of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Next, shred the chicken and mix with chopped mandarin oranges, chow mein noodles, and sliced almonds. The sweet citrus flavor paired with the salty soy glaze is a winning combo. Toss the salad with an Asian sesame ginger vinaigrette for more flavor. Top with chow mein noodles and almonds for some crunch. Serve this Asian chicken salad chilled over lettuce or place inside wonton wrappers for a fun twist on lettuce wraps. It also makes a tasty filling for spring rolls or summer rolls.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken marinated in soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger
- Mandarin oranges
- Chow mein noodles
- Sliced almonds
- Asian sesame ginger dressing
Recipe
8. Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad
Two flavor favorites – bacon and ranch – come together in this chicken salad. Dice cooked chicken and mix with crumbled bacon pieces. Add your desired amount of ranch dressing to achieve a creamy salad. Then stir in shredded cheddar cheese for even more richness and flavor. Crisp lettuce like romaine or iceberg are nice salad bases to top with the chicken mixture. Garnish with extra shredded cheese, bacon bits, and ranch dressing. For more texture, use Fritos or croutons as a topping too. The classic bacon ranch flavors pair well with the chicken in this easy salad.
Ingredients:
- Diced cooked chicken
- Bacon pieces
- Ranch dressing
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Lettuce
- Fritos or croutons for topping
Recipe
9. BBQ Chicken Salad
Fire up your chicken salad with some smoky barbecue flavor. Shred or dice grilled chicken breasts and toss with your favorite bbq sauce. Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce packs a flavor punch. Mix in some corn, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced red onions for extra flavor, texture, and color. Barbecue sauce already acts as a dressing, but you can add more Smokey flavor with an extra drizzle on top. Serve this bbq chicken salad over lettuce or stuff into a hollowed out bread loaf for a fun presentation. Top with crispy fried onion strings or extra shredded cheese and barbecue sauce.
Ingredients:
- Shredded grilled chicken
- Barbecue sauce
- Corn
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Red onion
- Lettuce
Recipe
10. Tropical Chicken Salad
Transport your chicken salad to the tropics with mango, avocado, and coconut. Simply mix shredded chicken with diced mango and avocado. The mango adds tropical sweetness while the avocado provides creaminess. Next add some shredded coconut along with red onion for texture. The lime juice is key, as it provides tart brightness to balance the fruits. Chili powder or cayenne can also be added for a spicy kick. Serve this tropical chicken salad over lettuce or on top of a bed of rice to soak up the juices. Garnish with extra mango, avocado, or coconut flakes.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Mango
- Avocado
- Shredded coconut
- Red onion
- Lime juice
- Chili powder or cayenne (optional)
Recipe
11. Caesar Chicken Salad
A Caesar salad gets even better with chicken! Dice or shred cooked chicken breasts and toss with romaine lettuce leaves, shredded Parmesan, croutons, and a creamy Caesar dressing. The dressing infuses the salad with a rich, garlicky flavor that complements the chicken. Add extra black pepper and lemon wedges for more flavor. Top the salad with more shredded Parmesan cheese and croutons for crunch. For a fun twist, wrap the salad up in a tortilla. This chicken Caesar salad is equally enjoyable on its own or served alongside pasta or pizza.
Ingredients:
- Diced cooked chicken
- Romaine lettuce
- Parmesan cheese
- Croutons
- Caesar dressing
- Black pepper
- Lemon wedges
Recipe
12. Chicken Waldorf Salad
For an elegant chicken salad, make a Waldorf salad with chicken. First, dice or shred cooked chicken and toss with diced apples, celery, walnuts, and raisins. Then stir in Greek yogurt to add creaminess and bind the ingredients. The apples, walnuts, raisins, and Greek yogurt mimic classic Waldorf salad flavors. For extra flavor, add some lemon juice. Dollop the chicken salad onto lettuce leaves or serve it inside halved grapefruit shells for a pretty presentation. Top with extra walnuts or grapes for crunch and freshness. This chicken Waldorf salad also makes lovely tea sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- Diced cooked chicken
- Apples
- Celery
- Walnuts
- Raisins
- Greek yogurt
- Lemon juice
Recipe
13. Chicken Cobb Salad
The classic Cobb salad gets a protein boost with chicken. Start with a bed of chopped lettuce greens. Top with diced chicken, crumbled bacon, cubes of blue cheese, diced avocado, hard boiled egg slices, and diced tomatoes. To assemble the salad, place the ingredients in rows or mix altogether. Make a dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and Dijon mustard. The varied ingredients provide flavor, texture, color, and plenty of protein thanks to the chicken and bacon. Slice cooked chicken breast and prepare the bacon, eggs, and vegetables the day before for quick salad assembly.
Ingredients:
- Chopped lettuce greens
- Diced cooked chicken
- Crumbled bacon
- Blue cheese
- Diced avocado
- Hard boiled egg slices
- Diced tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Dijon mustard
Recipe
14. Chicken Fajita Salad
For a flavorful southwestern salad, make this chicken fajita salad. Saute sliced chicken breast with sliced peppers and onions. Toss the fajita veggies and chicken with black beans, corn, salsa, and chopped lettuce. Top with diced avocado, shredded cheese, and tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips for crunch. Drizzle the salad with a lime vinaigrette and add sliced jalapenos if you want an extra kick. The chicken and black bean combo provides a satisfying protein punch. This chicken fajita salad is also delicious wrapped up in a tortilla.
Ingredients:
- Sliced cooked chicken
- Sautéed peppers and onions
- Black beans
- Corn
- Salsa
- Lettuce
- Diced avocado
- Shredded cheese
- Tortilla strips
- Lime vinaigrette
- Sliced jalapeños (optional)
Recipe
15. Chicken and Apple Salad
For a lightly sweet chicken salad, dice cooked chicken and mix with diced apples, celery, mayonnaise, raisins, and slivered almonds. The diced apples provide crunch and sweetness to complement the savory chicken. Celery adds further crunch and freshness, while the mayonnaise binds the ingredients. For even more texture and flavor, stir in raisins and almond slivers. This chicken salad pairs well with crisp lettuce or would be delicious in a sandwich or wrap. Tarragon, sage, or thyme would also be tasty seasoning additions.
Ingredients:
- Diced cooked chicken
- Diced apples
- Celery
- Mayonnaise
- Raisins
- Slivered almonds
- Tarragon, sage or thyme (optional)
Recipe
16. Strawberry Chicken Salad
For a unique flavor combination, pair chicken with sweet strawberries. To make this salad, dice or shred cooked chicken and mix with sliced fresh strawberries, crumbled feta, and red onion slivers. Then drizzle on a poppyseed dressing for tangy flavor. Mix gently to coat the ingredients but avoid breaking down the strawberries. For texture, add some toasted pecans or almond slices. Serve the salad chilled over lettuce or spinach leaves. The sweet strawberries with the savory chicken and earthy poppyseed dressing make for beautiful flavors.
Ingredients:
- Diced or shredded cooked chicken
- Sliced fresh strawberries
- Crumbled feta
- Red onion slivers
- Poppyseed dressing
- Toasted pecans or almond slices (optional)
Recipe
17. Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans
Chicken salad gets an elegant twist with the addition of seedless grapes and pecans. Dice or shred cooked chicken and mix together with halved red seedless grapes and roughly chopped pecans. Add enough mayonnaise to bind and add creaminess, along with a squirt of Dijon mustard for zing. The sweet grapes and crunchy toasted pecans complement the chicken nicely. For extra flavor and crunch, add some diced celery or red onion. Serve this chicken salad over lettuce leaves or stuffed into a hollowed out bread loaf for an impressive presentation.
Ingredients:
- Diced cooked chicken
- Red seedless grapes
- Roughly chopped pecans
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Celery or red onion (optional)
Recipe
18. Lemon Chicken Salad
A lemon vinaigrette takes chicken salad to bright, flavorful heights. Shred or dice cooked chicken breasts and toss with a dressing made of mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and Dijon mustard. Let the chicken marinate in the tangy dressing for extra flavor. The creaminess of the mayo and zest of the lemon pair beautifully together. Add some snipped green onions and chopped parsley for extra flavor and freshness. Serve this lemony chicken salad over crisp lettuce or use as a sandwich filling. It also makes a lovely light meal served atop a bed of greens or grains.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Mayonnaise
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Dijon mustard
- Green onions
- Parsley
Recipe
19. Curry Chicken Salad
Add exotic spice to chicken salad with the addition of curry powder. Mix shredded chicken, mayonnaise, curry powder, golden raisins, and sliced almonds together until well combined. Start with a small amount of curry powder and add more to taste. The golden raisins add natural sweetness that offsets the savory curry flavor. Toasted sliced almonds provide texture and crunch. Serve this curry chicken salad over lettuce or cradled in naan or pita bread for a hearty hand-held meal. Pair it with chutney or mint yogurt sauce for even more flavor.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Mayonnaise
- Curry powder
- Golden raisins
- Sliced almonds
