Make a classic Chicken Salad bursting with flavor in minutes. This simple, traditional recipe combines a creamy dressing with dried fruit and almonds for a satisfying mix of sweet, crunchy, and savory textures. Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken keeps this easy chicken salad ready in about 10 minutes—perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or meal prep.
A truly great chicken salad balances three key elements: something sweet, something crunchy, and a creamy binder. This version hits all three. Tender chopped chicken meets crunchy celery and almonds, sweet dried cherries, bright mandarin oranges, and a smooth mayonnaise-based dressing. You can easily swap dried cranberries for cherries or use walnuts instead of almonds—this recipe is a flexible, reliable foundation for the best chicken salad.
Serve it on toasted sourdough, tucked into a croissant, wrapped in crisp lettuce, or spooned onto a bagel for a hearty breakfast sandwich. No matter how you enjoy it, the mix of flavors and textures makes this classic chicken salad a crowd-pleaser.
Key ingredients
Below are the main components that give this classic chicken salad its flavor and texture. The full ingredient list with exact measurements is included in the recipe card further down.
- Cooked, chopped chicken – Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe fastest and easiest. You can also use poached or grilled chicken, or cook chicken breasts in a pressure cooker and chop them once cooled.
- Dried cherries – Use dried cherries for a slightly tart sweetness. Dried cranberries or raisins are suitable substitutes.
- Celery and red onion – Celery adds crunch and freshness; minced red onion brings mild sharpness and color.
- Sliced almonds – Almonds give a nutty crunch. Swap in chopped walnuts or pecans if you prefer.
- Mandarin oranges – These add bright citrus notes and a juicy contrast to the creamy dressing.
- Mayonnaise and seasonings – Mayonnaise creates the creamy base. Salt, black pepper, and dried thyme season the salad simply and effectively.
Additions and substitutions
This recipe is a great starting point and adapts well to what you have on hand. Try these tasty variations to customize your chicken salad:
- Add ½ cup diced apples for extra sweetness and crunch.
- Replace mandarin oranges with halved red grapes for a different fruity texture.
- Fold in 1–2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as green onions, dill, tarragon, or parsley for herbal brightness.
- Use minced green bell pepper in place of celery for a milder crunch.
- Switch sliced almonds for chopped walnuts or pecans for a richer nutty flavor.
- Add 2 diced hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and creaminess.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for a subtle tang.
Instructions
- Add all salad ingredients into a large mixing bowl and toss gently to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
That’s it—two simple steps to a versatile, flavorful chicken salad ready to serve.
Ways to serve it
Chicken salad is extremely versatile—enjoy it in different formats to keep meals interesting:
- Lettuce wraps – Spoon the salad into butter or iceberg lettuce leaves for a light, low-carb option.
- Croissant sandwiches – Serve the salad inside a warm croissant with a leaf of butter lettuce for a decadent treat.
- Wraps – Layer chicken salad and lettuce in a large tortilla, fold and roll for an easy handheld meal.
- On toast – Spoon over toasted sourdough or whole-grain bread for a quick open-faced sandwich.
- Bagel sandwiches – Use a toasted bagel with lettuce and tomato for a filling breakfast or lunch.
- Tea sandwiches – Make delicate tea sandwiches on white bread with butter lettuce; remove crusts and cut into small squares or triangles for a classic presentation.
Classic Chicken Salad
A quick and flavorful classic chicken salad made with chopped cooked chicken, crunchy celery and almonds, sweet dried cherries and mandarin oranges, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing. Ready in about 10 minutes when you use pre-cooked chicken.
Servings: 4 servings | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken (rotisserie, poached, grilled, or pressure-cooked)
- ½ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup minced red onion
- ½ cup sliced almonds (or chopped walnuts)
- ½ cup dried cherries (or dried cranberries)
- ½ cup mandarin oranges
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
Instructions
- Combine the cooked chicken, celery, red onion, sliced almonds, dried cherries, and mandarin oranges in a large bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors develop. Taste and adjust salt and pepper before serving.
- Serve on croissants, in lettuce wraps, on toast, or in tortilla wraps as desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This salad is best served cold.
- This recipe is naturally gluten free when served with lettuce or gluten-free bread.
- Taste after chilling and add more salt if needed—saltiness can vary depending on the chicken you use.
- For a lighter version, swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt. The texture will be slightly less rich but still delicious.
Nutrition Facts (approx.)
Calories: 479 kcal | Carbohydrates: 20 g | Protein: 27 g | Fat: 33 g | Sodium: 825 mg
More easy chicken recipes
Looking for more simple, tested chicken recipes? Try other easy favorites like air fryer taquitos, coronation chicken, gluten-free orange chicken, or lemon pepper chicken—great choices for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Air Fryer Taquitos
Coronation Chicken
Gluten Free Orange Chicken
