Name: Easy Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayo; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley; Salt & pepper (to taste); 2 cups cooked chicken (I used rotisserie) (shredded or chopped); 1 stick celery (chopped small); 1/2 medium apple (chopped small); 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

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This will be the best chicken salad recipe you'll ever try! It has wholesome, simple ingredients, is ready in just 15 minutes, and makes the most satisfying sandwiches.

Try this Buffalo Chicken Salad next for a creative kick on a classic.

two classic chicken salad sandwiches stacked on top of each other

Why you'll love it

This homemade chicken salad recipe is great for easy lunches or picnics. Bring it as a work lunch for a healthier and less expensive meal than getting fast food. These sandwiches taste way less one-dimensional than your average grocery store chicken salad! It's definitely worth making at home.

I kept this chicken salad from scratch really simple so that it will appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Apple is the not-so-secret ingredient in my version of this popular recipe. It adds a sweet and tart flavor as well as a delicious fresh crunch! These chicken salad sandwiches are perfectly balanced.

Ingredients for it

Chicken - I used rotisserie
Mayo - my go-to is Hellmann's, but use your favorite brand. I always try not to go overboard with it since I don't like these sandwiches to be super heavy or cloying.
Dijon mustard - it's not overpowering or anything and just adds a zesty quality. I use it as a flavor enhancer in many recipes.
Lemon juice - for brightness. Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Parsley - to add freshness and contrast
Celery - for a flavorful crunch
Apple - it adds a touch of sweetness and crispness. Totally recommend not skipping it. Try Gala or Cosmic Crisp.
Onion - red onion is less sharp than others, so it's great in salads and sandwiches

What kind of chicken to use for chicken salad

I love the flavor and ease of using a store bought rotisserie chicken. I used a mix of dark and light meat.
You could also try buying pre-cooked roasted chicken breast from your deli, or cook up your own chicken. Try my Easy Baked Chicken Breast recipe.
If you have some leftover cooked turkey, you can definitely use that in this recipe!

How to make chicken salad

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

a mixing bowl with dressing for chicken salad

Start by prepping everything. Add the dressing ingredients (mayo, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, parsley, and some salt & pepper) to a medium-sized prep bowl. Mix it all together so you've got a smooth dressing.

Add the remaining ingredients (celery, apple, red onion, and chicken) and toss until everything is well coated. Give it a taste, and add extra salt & pepper if needed. You can also take this opportunity to tweak it to your tastes. See my suggestions below!

Pro tip

I didn't want to make a massive quantity, so the recipe makes enough for about 4 sandwiches. Double every ingredient if you want to make more. Halve every ingredient if you just want to make enough for two sandwiches.

Other additions to chicken salad

I like the recipe as-is, but feel free to jazz it up with any/all of these ingredients!

Chopped grapes (you can swap them for the apple)
Slivered or sliced almonds for some extra crunch
A splash of pickle juice and/or chopped pickles or relish
Hot sauce for a kick
Crumbled Oven Cooked Bacon
Avocado (but only mix it in if you're going to eat it all right away since it'll brown quickly)
Fresh herbs: try replacing the red onion with chives, and finely chopped tarragon would be delicious in here

Substitutions and variations

This recipe is very forgiving. Feel free to experiment and add more/less of an ingredient based on your personal tastes. For example, add some lemon zest if you want it to be more lemony.
I used half a Gala apple, but any variety that's not too sweet will work. Try Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
Don't like Dijon mustard? Swap it with a different variety, but keep in mind the slight sharpness plays nicely with the other flavors.
Want to lighten it up? Swap the mayo for Greek yogurt or do a 50/50 mix.

What to include in a chicken salad sandwich

You can't go wrong with the classic combo of lettuce and/or tomato, but whatever else you like in a sandwich will work too!
Cucumber, sliced avocado, a slice of cheese, sprouts are all great options.
Try buns, wraps and tortillas, or even bagels or a croissant instead of bread to change it up a bit. Or go low-carb and make lettuce wraps or fill half an avocado with it.

Leftovers and storage

Leftovers will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container. I personally like to err on the side of 3 days. It just tastes better fresher.
I wouldn't make sandwiches more than a day ahead so the bread doesn't get soggy.
I don't recommend freezing chicken salad. It'll get soggy when thawed, the mayo could separate, and it's quick and simple to prep anyway. Simply halve the recipe if you don't think you can finish it all within a few days.

More easy lunch ideas

I hope you'll enjoy this chicken salad sandwich recipe! Made it? Have questions? Talk to me in the comments below. You can also tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.

Easy Chicken Salad