How To Make Classic Chicken Salad – Creamy, Crunchy & Perfect for Sandwiches or Wraps

🛒 Ingredients

3 cups (about 450g) cooked chicken, shredded or chopped

(rotisserie, grilled, or poached)

½ cup (120g) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)

1 tbsp Dijon mustard (adds tang and depth)

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (brightens flavor)

½ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

¾ cup (75g) celery, finely diced (for crunch)

½ cup (75g) red seedless grapes, halved (sweet burst in every bite)

⅓ cup (35g) toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped (adds richness)

2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for freshness)

🔥 Pro Tip: Toast the nuts first — deepens flavor 10x!

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Shred the Chicken

Use leftover or rotisserie chicken.

Shred into small, bite-sized pieces with forks or chop finely.

2️⃣ Make the Dressing Base

In a large bowl, whisk together:

Mayo

Dijon mustard

Lemon juice

Garlic powder

Salt & pepper

3️⃣ Add Chicken & Mix

Fold in chicken until well coated.

4️⃣ Fold in Veggies & Fruit

Gently stir in:

Celery

Grapes

Toasted nuts

Fresh herbs

✅ Don’t overmix — keeps texture intact.

5️⃣ Chill & Serve

Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (overnight is even better).

Serve cold.

🍽️ Serving Ideas:

On sourdough, croissants, or whole-grain bread

In butter lettuce or collard green wraps (low-carb!)

Over a bed of greens as a salad

With crackers as an appetizer

🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks

🌱 Gluten-Free? Naturally GF — just check labels on mayo/mustard

🌾 Dairy-Free? Already is!

🍎 Apple Version: Swap grapes for diced apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji)

🍒 Holiday Twist: Add dried cranberries + slivered almonds

🌶️ Spicy Kick: Mix in ½ tsp curry powder or a few dashes of hot sauce

🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Keeps 4–5 days in the fridge — perfect for meal prep

❄️ Freeze It? Not recommended — texture changes after thawing

🧠 Why This Works So Well

Rotisserie chicken = tender, flavorful base with zero effort

Grapes + celery = sweet & crunchy contrast to creamy dressing

Toasted nuts = rich, nutty depth that elevates the whole dish

Lemon + Dijon = bright acidity cuts through richness

It’s not luck — it’s lunchtime genius. ✨

❤️ Final Thought: Sometimes, the Best Things Are Simple & Satisfying

You don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to make something truly special.

Just good chicken, real ingredients, and love.

This Classic Chicken Salad proves that the most memorable meals are often the simplest — where every bite tastes like home, comfort, and care.

So next time you’re staring into the fridge wondering what to make…

Grab that rotisserie chicken.

Whip up this easy recipe.

And let your kitchen fill with the scent of lemon, herbs, and joy.

Because great food doesn’t have to be hard —

It just has to taste like it came from the heart. 💛