My Favorite Chicken Salad is such a staple in our house, especially throughout the warmer weather months. This recipe is incredibly simple, easy to put together and perfect to have on hand for work lunches or a quick snack. Plus, I love how easily adaptable it is to your family’s tastes.
We are blessed to have a stocked chest freezer. We typically keep up to 40lbs of chicken on hand, vacuum sealed and ready for different recipes. When I’m stumped for what to make my husband for his lunch or a quick dinner, or I just don’t feel like battling through the grocery store, it’s easy to pull a few chicken breasts from the freezer and roast them in the oven for a delicious chicken salad.
This is comfort food at its best.
It is a simple list of ingredients, yet it packs a huge punch of flavor.
My husband loves this on simple white bread.
I love it best on a buttery croissant with a couple of thick pieces of romaine lettuce or topped on to a crisp, bright salad with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Ingredients For My Favorite Chicken Salad
Get ready for a super simple list of ingredients. My favorite chicken salad recipe is a solid punch of unique flavors, ingredients that are often found in your every day pantry and quick to pull together. Struggling for an idea for dinner or tomorrow’s lunch? Here’s your solution. 🙂
I love simplistic, wholesome recipes that come together super quickly but don’t skimp on flavors.
This is definitely one of our top favorite recipes in our house. I find myself making this at least a few times a month.
It packs a TON of Flavor.
Roasted Chicken Breast – I love to season my chicken breast with Italian seasonings or Herbes de Provence. I rotate which seasoning I’m going to use. My husband prefers the Italian seasoning, where I am partial to Herbes de Provence. You could use your family’s favorite seasoning for a different kick – Maybe just simple salt and pepper, a Cajun seasoning or anything else you have on hand and sounds delicious.
If you’re short on time, you could also use a rotisserie chicken to eliminate
Shallots – I love shallots in a lot of recipes. You could also sub white onion or red onion in their place though.
Celery – Celery is too often overrated and too underused. I love it in this chicken salad for the texture.
Mayonnaise – You can use store bought or homemade (I’ve made homemade once…. still not sold on it). But this really is the creamy binder that brings the whole dish together.
Salt and Pepper
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
How To Make My Chicken Salad
Prepare Your Chicken. This is the most time consuming part, but one that imparts such a beautiful flavor to the chicken. Sure, you could use canned chicken, or a rotisserie chicken, but I find it just as easy to roast the chicken while I’m prepping all of the other ingredients.
Preheat your oven to 375. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. Place the chicken breasts on the baking sheet and turn over once to coat the chicken with oil. Season your chicken with the dried herbs of your choice, salt and pepper.
Roast Chicken in Oven for 20-25 minutes.
Prep Your Vegetables. Dice your shallots and celery. I like a rough cut so they don’t get lost in the creamy goodness of the salad.
Mix The Chicken and Vegetables Together.
Add In Your Mayonnaise And Seasonings. Give it a good, generous stir to combine everything.
And… that’s it! Easy, peasy.
Store this in the refrigerator for up to 4 days… But I promise you, it won’t last that long.
My favorite chicken salad is really that easy to make. Now I know you’re saying that all chicken salad is easy…. but this is our favorite and I think you’ll enjoy this simple combination of flavors and love it as much as we do.
Tips and Tricks
Switch Up Your Seasonings: Instead of Italian, use Herbes de Provence, Cajun, Lemon Pepper or any of your favorites. Make it your own! This recipe is so easily adaptable to your specific tastes – there are no limits!
Add Other Vegetables: I have enjoyed green olives, shaved carrots and cranberries in different chicken salads. These would be wonderful additions here, too. As would be small florets of broccoli or diced bell pepper.
Extra Mayonnaise: I choose to use 3/4C of mayonnaise, but if you want it creamier? Add a full cup if you’re interested in a creamier salad.
Spice It Up With Dijon Mustard: We occasionally add between 1/2 Tbsp – 1 Tbsp of Dijon if we’re looking for a unique kick. It’s delightful!
No matter how you choose to eat this delicious, satisfying and healthy(ish) meal, you will LOVE it. I make this so often and it is never disappointing.
My Favorite Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- 1.5 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 3/4 C Mayonnaise
- 2 Shallots
- 2 Celery Ribs
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1.5 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1.5 tsp Onion Powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet with 1 to 1.5 Tbsp of olive oil.
- Place your chicken breasts on the baking sheet, flipping once to coat in oil. Generously season with Italian seasoning, plus salt and pepper.
- Place in the oven and roast, flipping once, for 20-25 minutes.
- While the chicken is roasting, prepare your vegetables. Dice two shallots and two ribs of celery in to bite sized pieces. Set Aside.
- Once your chicken is done, allow a bit of cooling time – 10-15 minutes.
- When the chicken has cooled, chop in to bite sized pieces. Add the chicken to a large bowl with shallots and celery. Stir to combine.
- Add mayonnaise, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Stir well to incorporate. Taste for seasonings and add additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve your chicken salad on a buttery croissant, a bed of fresh garden lettuce or Italian bread for a simple, delicious and wholesome lunch. Enjoy!
Will you be trying my version of My Favorite Chicken Salad?
What would you add or do differently?
Let me know below!
I hope you enjoy this family favorite recipe!
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