Classic Chicken Salad: Easy as Pie!

Alright, let's dive into this easy chicken salad recipe ! ever find yourself craving something simple, comforting, and that reminds you of childhood picnics? honestly, chicken salad is that dish for me.

This isn’t just any chicken salad; it's the one you’ll make again and again.

Classic Chicken Salad: Your New Go-To

This easy chicken salad recipe is a game changer. originating as a clever way to use leftover chicken, it evolved into a deli staple, especially in america.

Think of it as a culinary hug. this version is super simple, yielding about 4-6 servings in approximately one hour (mostly cooling time, mind you), perfect for a easy luncheon .

Classic Chicken Salad: Easy as Pie! Recipe Card

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Preparation time:45 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) black pepper
• 1 cup (240ml) mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup (60ml) celery, finely diced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) red onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) black pepper

Instructions:

• Place chicken breasts in a saucepan. Add chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
• Remove chicken from broth and let cool slightly. Shred chicken with two forks or your hands.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, celery, red onion, parsley, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Add shredded chicken to the bowl with the dressing. Mix gently until well combined.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
• Serve chicken salad on your choice of bread, crackers, or lettuce.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:375 kcal

Fat:27.5g

Fiber:7.5g

Recipe Info

Category:Salad

Cuisine:American

Why You'll Love This Best Homemade Chicken Salad

One of the best things? it's packed with protein. great for a quick energy boost, perfect for when you fancy something light but satisfying.

Ideal served on cold chicken salad sandwich or we chicken salad it makes a great quick and convenient easy luncheon .

This recipe is special because it’s entirely adaptable. make it chicken salad for one , or a whole platter!. this is going to be the best chicken salad ever , honestly.

What You'll Need: The Goods

So, here's what you need. don’t panic, most of it's stuff you probably already have. 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth 1 teaspoon (5ml) salt 1/2 teaspoon (2.

5ml) black pepper 1 cup (240ml) mayonnaise 1/4 cup (60ml) celery, finely diced 1/4 cup (60ml) red onion, finely diced 1/4 cup (60ml) chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons (30ml) dijon mustard 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon (2.

5ml) salt 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) black pepper

I have been making this 5 Minute Chicken Salad , well, a longer version, for years.

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need for this easy chicken salad recipe ! Honestly, it's mostly stuff you probably already have.

Ingredients & Equipment Deets

This easy chicken salad recipe is about to get a whole lot easier.

Main Ingredients

Right, so, the stars of the show are:

• 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Now listen, fresh is best, innit? Look for chicken with a nice pink colour, not greyish. That’s a sign it's been sitting around a bit. You can absolutely use Chicken Salad Rotisserie leftovers. It saves time!
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth (or water). Broth adds more flavour; I reckon it's worth it.
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) black pepper
• 1 cup (240ml) mayonnaise. Go full-fat, honestly, for the best chicken salad ever . It just tastes better. Vegan mayonnaise works too
• 1/4 cup (60ml) celery, finely diced.
• 1/4 cup (60ml) red onion, finely diced. If you’re not mad about a strong onion taste, give it a rinse after dicing. Helps take the edge off, see?
• 1/4 cup (60ml) chopped fresh parsley. Parsley must be fresh, dried just doesn’t cut it.
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Dijon mustard. Adds a lovely zing.
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice. Freshly squeezed is always better.
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) black pepper (or to taste)

Seasoning Notes

Essential spice combo : salt and pepper is obviously key, but the dijon and lemon juice? chef's kiss! you want that slight tang.

For aromatics, the fresh parsley is essential. don't skip it. a pinch of curry powder for a spicy chicken salad is a pro tip.

Equipment Needed

Right, here’s what you’ll need from your kitchen cupboard. Keep it simple:

• A big pan for cooking the chicken.
• A mixing bowl. One of those stainless steel jobs is ideal.
• A chopping board.
• A decent knife. Nothing fancy, but sharp is crucial.
• Measuring spoons and cups. Can't be guessing, can we?

Honestly, that's it. Nothing mental. If you haven't got a fancy mixing bowl, use a plastic tub. It's all good.

This is going to be the best homemade chicken salad you've ever had. trust me. perfect for an easy luncheon or a cold chicken salad sandwich.

You can even scale down this chicken salad for one by just halving or quartering the ingredients. we even have a 5 minute chicken salad version you can find on our page.

Just remember good ingredients and don't overcook the chicken. we we chicken salad all the way!

Alright, let's get down to business with this easy chicken salad recipe ! forget those dry, bland deli counter nightmares.

We're making the best chicken salad ever , right here, right now. honestly, it’s so simple, you'll wonder why you ever bought the pre-made stuff.

Perfect for a chicken salad for one kinda lunch or a spread for the whole family, proper tasty!

Prep Steps: The Secret to Speedy Success

Think of this as your "mise en place" moment. essential bits first: get your chicken, mayo, veggies, and herbs lined up.

Time-saving tip: dice your celery and onion before you even start cooking the chicken. it will make your 5 minute chicken salad a reality.

Safety reminder: always wash your hands after handling raw chicken. no one wants salmonella as a side dish.

Get Organised!

Honestly, a bit of prep goes a long way. dice the celery and onion. chop the parsley. have your mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon juice ready to roll.

When the chicken's cooked, you will be good to go!

Keep it Safe!

We are not messing about with raw chicken, right? Wash your hands before and after handling it. Cook it properly: 165° F ( 74° C) is the magic number.

Step-by-Step: Let's Make Magic

1. Cook the Chicken: Chuck your chicken breasts into a pot. Pour in the broth, add salt and pepper. Bring it to the boil, then simmer for 20- 25 minutes until cooked through. Make sure the internal temperature is 165° F ( 74° C) .
2. Cool and Shred: Take the chicken out and let it cool slightly. Shred it with two forks.
3. Mix the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayo, celery, onion, parsley, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Combine: Add the shredded chicken to the dressing. Mix until it's all coated nicely.
5. Chill Out: Cover the bowl and bung it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. You will like the cold chicken salad sandwich .
6. Serve: Slap that chicken salad on some bread, crackers, or even lettuce cups. Boom. Done.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Salad

Want the best homemade chicken salad ? then listen up. dicing the celery and onion super small is key. no one wants huge chunks of crunch.

Another tip: don't overcook the chicken. dry chicken is sad chicken. also, taste as you go! add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.

Need an easy luncheon? this will do the trick!.

Expert Tweaks

For a bit of zing, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce. want a chicken salad rotisserie style cheat? grab a cooked rotisserie chicken from the supermarket and shred that instead.

Absolute winner.

Avoid These Traps

Don't overcook the chicken! Seriously, it's the worst. And don't use too much mayonnaise. You want it creamy, not swimming.

Make it Ahead

You can totally make this a day in advance. In fact, it's even better the next day, as the flavours have had a chance to mingle.

So there you have it. a proper easy chicken salad recipe that's dead simple and tastes amazing. give it a go and let me know what you think.

I bet you'll be saying, "we chicken salad for lunch tomorrow!" now, off you pop and get cooking!

Right, let's nail these recipe notes for the easy chicken salad recipe ! I like to think of these sections as giving a wee nudge to anyone making the recipe.

Recipe Notes

Plating Like a Pro

Honestly, sometimes the presentation is everything, you know? this best chicken salad ever deserves a little tlc. try piling it high on a buttery croissant for a cold chicken salad sandwich .

Or, for a fancy easy luncheon , arrange it artfully on a bed of mixed greens with some cherry tomatoes.

Cucumber slices make a refreshing contrast. a little sprinkle of paprika never hurt anyone! if you want something more casual, serve your we chicken salad alongside potato chips, crisps, pretzels and assorted fruits.

Store It Like You Mean It

Leftover chicken salad rotisserie (or any chicken salad really!) is great for lunch the next day. make sure to keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.

It'll stay fresh for about 3-4 days. i don’t recommend freezing it because the mayonnaise can get a bit weird and separate.

If you need to use up chicken quickly, try a 5 minute chicken salad . it's great! reheat it? nah, cold chicken salad sandwich is the way to go!

Mix It Up!

Fancy a twist on this best homemade chicken salad ? go wild! for a lighter version, swap half the mayo for plain greek yogurt.

It adds a lovely tang! got picky eaters? ditch the red onion and chuck in some chopped apple for sweetness.

And for a festive easy chicken salad recipe , throw in some dried cranberries or grapes! for gluten free diets, serve on gluten-free crackers or lettuce wraps.

Want a chicken salad for one , just reduce the amounts.

Nutrition Nuggets

Okay, let's keep it simple. this easy chicken salad recipe packs a good punch of protein from the chicken, which is fab for keeping you full.

It's also got a decent amount of healthy fats from the mayonnaise. just be mindful of the sodium content – so go easy on the extra salt.

But honestly, life's too short to stress too much. this recipe is a great source of protein.

So there you have it! A few wee tips to elevate your chicken salad recipe rotisserie . Now, go forth and whip up some magic. Honestly, you've got this!