How to Make Chicken Salad
Step 1: Add everything to a large bowl. Place the shredded or diced chicken, red onion, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, celery, fresh dill, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic powder, lemon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a large bowl.
Step 2: Stir until fully combined. Mix everything together until the dressing fully coats every piece of chicken. Take a minute to make sure nothing is sitting dry at the bottom of the bowl. Taste and add more salt if needed, keeping in mind that pre-seasoned chicken may not need the full amount.
Step 3: Serve cold. This chicken salad is best served cold. If you have time, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes after mixing so the citrus and dill can absorb into the chicken. It is also good right away if you cannot wait. Garnish with a little minced fresh dill and sliced green onions if you want.
Recipe Tips
- Use cold chicken. This is the most important thing. Warm or room-temperature chicken makes the mayo and Greek yogurt go loose in the dressing. The salad comes together much better when the chicken is fully chilled before mixing.
- Let it sit before serving. This is not required, but it makes a difference. Give the salad 30 to 60 minutes in the refrigerator after mixing and the citrus and dill really absorb into the chicken. Day two tastes even better than day one.
- Taste before you serve, and adjust the salt. The right amount of salt depends on how much seasoning was already in your chicken. Start with 1/2 teaspoon, stir, taste, and go from there.
- Fresh dill vs. dried dill. Fresh is worth buying for this recipe. If all you have is dried, it works in a pinch. But fresh dill has a brightness that dried cannot match, and it makes a great garnish too.
- Keep the bread and crackers separate until you are ready to serve. If you are meal prepping this for the week, store the chicken salad on its own. Adding it to bread or crackers right before eating keeps everything from getting soggy.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make-ahead: This chicken salad is a great make-ahead lunch. It keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, and the flavor gets better after the first day.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. Keep it cold and do not leave it out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
- Freezer: You can freeze chicken salad in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Fair warning: the celery tends to soften after freezing, so the texture will not be quite the same as fresh. It still tastes good, but fresh is always better if you have the option.
FAQ
Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2½ cups precooked chicken shredded or diced
- ½ cup red onion (about ½ onion), diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 celery stalks chopped (~¾ cup)
- 1 tbsp fresh dill minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (about half of one small lemon)
- 1 tbsp lime juice (about half a lime)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- ½ -1 tsp salt to taste
- Optional garnish: minced fresh dill, sliced green onions
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Instructions
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Place chicken, red onion, mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, celery, fresh dill, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic powder, lemon pepper and salt in a large bowl and stir until everything is thoroughly combined.2½ cups precooked chicken,½ cup red onion ,½ cup mayonnaise,¼ cup plain Greek yogurt,2 celery stalks,1 tbsp fresh dill,1 tbsp lemon juice ,1 tbsp lime juice ,1 tsp garlic powder,1 tsp lemon pepper,½ -1 tsp salt
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Plate and serve with fresh dill and sliced green onions as garnishes, optional. Best when served cold.Optional garnish: minced fresh dill, sliced green onions
Jenn’s Notes
Cover your chicken salad in an airtight container, and then refrigerate it for up to 3-5 days. You can also freeze this in an airtight container for a few months, no more than 3. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Important Notes:
If you are using canned chicken, make sure to drain it really well. After draining, you can even place it on a paper towel and pat it dry to make sure that it doesn’t have extra water or oils. This will keep the chicken salad from getting too soggy or runny!
