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I’ve been wanting to share my chicken salad recipe with you again. I’m updating this 2016 recipe because it needed some revisions. I’m making this for my family on July 4th, so if you want to make it for the holiday, you have the recipe ready.
This recipe features tender chicken pieces, sliced red grapes, chopped green onions, chopped celery, finely chopped apples, and dill weed, making it perfect for everyone.
Here’s the deal: we can buy chicken salad at the grocery store deli section, Costco, and even Sam’s Club. But it’s not as fresh, and with this recipe, we know exactly what we’re eating. If desired, you can modify the recipe to suit your family’s tastes; everyone will love it.
We boiled some chicken tenderloins, let them cool, and placed them in the mixer to shred the chicken pieces into the perfect size and texture for a chicken salad.
What I love about chicken salad is that you never know what you’ll get when someone makes it. It can be ground-cooked chicken or big chicken pieces, and it can be full of onions, nuts, craisins, or even raisins.
When you make this salad, the sky is the limit. Everyone has their favorite way of making it, and I love hearing how others put theirs together. Please share your add-ons; I love learning new ideas.
Items You May Need In Your Kitchen:
Kitchen Aid Mixer (to shred chicken or chop the chicken with a knife)
Chicken (I used rotisserie chicken): I love to use a rotisserie chicken that can be purchased at the store. I usually buy packages at Costco. It’s cooked and has a delicious roasted flavor! It’s ready to be cut up into bite-sized pieces or shredded! Your own cooked chicken can also be used. An excellent source of protein and calcium!
Grapes: A berry fruit grown on a flowering woody vine. They add a deliciously bitter and sweet crunch to this salad recipe! A great source of fiber and potassium.
Celeryis a refreshingly crisp, light, and delicious veggie! It is high in antioxidants, and the fiber it contains is great for the digestive and cardiovascular systems.
Dill Weed is my secret ingredient! The weed portion of the dill plant is comprised of fern-like leaves and stems. It has a mild, grasslike flavor with a lemony tang.
Apples: This recipe works great with any apple variety. It is high in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Green Onions: Green onions or “scallions” are typically named to describe a long, thin, tubular edible plant with an oniony flavor.
Mayonnaise: Also known as “mayo.” A thick and creamy sour dressing made of eggs, oil, vinegar, or lemon juice.
Salt and Pepper: Both spices add flavor and help bring all the flavors together.
Chicken Salad Recipe
Step One: Gather the Ingredients
Gather the ingredients so you’re ready to make this recipe. Do you love to use mayo or is Miracle Whip your choice when you make chicken salad?
Step Two: Shred The Cooked Chicken
One thing I want to share is a picture of me “shredding” the chicken in my Kitchen Aid mixer using the wire whip. When using this mixer, you can shred your cooked chicken pieces in minutes, literally. It’s almost magical—it’s so fast! Today, I used the rotisserie chicken from Costco in a package. I love the convenience of those chicken pieces off the bones.
Step Three: Combine Ingredients
Combine the cooked, shredded chicken, chopped apple, celery, green onion, and sliced red grapes.
Step Three: Make The Dressing
Grab a small mixing bowl, and combine the mayo or Miracle Whip with the dill weed, salt, and pepper until thoroughly mixed. I call this the “chicken salad dressing.”
Step Four: Scoop The Dressing Onto the Salad
Scoop the “chicken salad dressing” over the chicken mixture. Stir well.
Finished Product
Serve on a bed of lettuce or a roll/croissant. We love these sandwiches!
Combine the cooked shredded chicken, chopped apple, chopped celery, chopped green onion, and sliced red grapes.
Mix everything together in a large bowl.
Grab a small mixing bowl, and combine the mayo or Miracle Whip with the dill weed, salt, and pepper until thoroughly mixed.
Scoop the "dressing" over the chicken mixture. Stir well. Serve on a bed of lettuce or in a roll/croissant.
How long can I store uncooked chicken?
According to the USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, you can store raw chicken in your refrigerator for 1-2 days. To be safe, this doesn’t matter if the chicken consists of legs, breasts, or a whole chicken.
What is the best way to cook chicken breasts?
I love to use cooked rotisserie chicken for this recipe. It eliminates a step. I am all about simplicity! If you would like to cook your chicken, I recommend cooking it as follows:
Rinse four raw chicken breasts in cold water. Cut off any fat that you observe. In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Once the water boils, turn the heat down to medium. Simmer the chicken breasts for about 45 minutes. Once they have cooked, remove them from the water and allow the chicken to cool before you cut them into bite-sized chunks.
How do I store this chicken salad?
I store mine in Tupperware-type containers in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze it after making it?
I would worry about the mayo, I think fresh is best. You could try it and then see how it turns out.
How long is it safe to store in the refrigerator?
If packaged correctly in airtight containers in the refrigerator, the chicken salad will be good for 2-3 days.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
We love this recipe with chopped pecans or slivered almonds! Be sure to alert guests to the nuts in case there is an allergy issue with someone.
What about dried cranberries or raisins?
Oh yes, I have made this salad with both of those, and it’s super yummy!
Can I use green grapes?
You can use both green and purple or just green. Either way, it’s delicious.
Can I use fresh dill weed?
Now, we’re talking, I love fresh dill! I didn’t have any today, but I often use fresh dill. It’s like having a slight dill pickle flavor without the overpowering taste of pickles.
Can I add some leftover chopped bacon?
Well, bacon is always a good add-on in my book! It’s yummy with bacon bits.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, I used rotisserie chicken in this recipe. As mentioned, I get it from Costco in packages. It’s deboned and ready to eat since it’s pre-cooked before being packaged. I typically pick up 4-5 packages and freeze them. Then, when I need some chicken, I thaw a package in the refrigerator the day before.
Can I substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream for the mayo or Miracle Whip?
That’s why this recipe is so awesome: almost any ingredient listed is interchangeable! Go for it; it works! This is why I love teaching people to cook from scratch: We can cook and mix outside the box, literally.
Can I add other spices or fresh herbs?
I have added sweet basil, and even freshly chopped basil from my garden. Cilantro is another herb that I love to add to it.
Which apples work best?
Whatever apple variety is in season is the perfect apple to use. I have used Pink Lady, Jazz, Fuji, and Honeycrisp, to name a few. As you know, some apples have a more “crisp” texture, and our family likes those the best. It also seems like the crisp varieties have a slight “tartness” to the flavor, and we enjoy that aspect, too.
I love the recipe as is! If you are interested in adding any additional ingredients, the following may be good options:
Dried cranberries (Craisins) or Raisins
Fresh Basil
Fresh Cilantro
Red Onions
Chopped Walnuts, Pecans, or Almonds
Bacon
Dijon Mustard
How can I serve this chicken salad?
This chicken salad is delicious as a low-carb snack on your favorite crackers. It can also be served as a lettuce wrap or as a chicken salad sandwich on your favorite bread, roll, or croissant. I love eating a dollop of it on top of a bed of lettuce! The options are endless!
I have served this at various luncheons, picnics, and family get-togethers. It is always a hit!
I hope you enjoyed reading about my chicken salad and that you will give it a try. It is the best chicken salad recipe! Let me know what you add to yours. I love to hear from you. You may also want to try eating this “salad” as a topping on your favorite crackers. We’ve used Triscuit, Wheat Thins, and others. Give it a try. May God bless this world, Linda
Like me and other folks out there, you’ve probably got your supplies and you’re ready to lock the door when the brown stuff hits the fan. Perhaps, the world outside is either falling apart or just taking a very bad nap—either way, you’re not leaving.
