Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Ready In 10 Minutes

Q: What are the main ingredients for a classic chicken salad?

The five main ingredients for a classic chicken salad are cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, and onion, plus seasonings like salt and pepper. Many beloved classic recipes also include a touch of acid like lemon juice or a bit of Dijon mustard to brighten the flavor of the creamy dressing.

Q: What is the best type of chicken to use for chicken salad?

Rotisserie chicken is widely considered the best choice for chicken salad due to its incredible convenience and savory, pre-seasoned flavor that enhances the whole dish. However, any leftover cooked chicken—whether it's baked, grilled, or poached—works wonderfully. In a pinch, canned chicken (drained very well) is a fast and easy option.

Q: How can I make chicken salad healthier without sacrificing flavor?

To make a healthier chicken salad, substitute all or half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt, which adds protein and lowers calories. You can also load it up with extra vegetables like chopped bell peppers or carrots and serve it in crisp lettuce wraps or on a bed of fresh greens instead of on bread.

Struggling to figure out what to make for lunch again? You need something fast, but you’re tired of the same old boring sandwich. You want a meal that’s delicious and satisfying, but the thought of a complicated recipe or a long cooking time is enough to make you reach for a bag of chips.

The daily lunch rush is real. You’re juggling work, family, and a million other tasks, and your own meal often falls to the bottom of the priority list. You have leftover chicken in the fridge that you don’t want to waste, but you lack the time and energy to transform it into something exciting. You just want a simple, reliable solution that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

Here’s the deal: this easy chicken salad recipe is the ultimate 10-minute solution to your lunch dilemma. It combines pre-cooked chicken, a simple creamy mayonnaise dressing, and crunchy celery for a timeless flavor that everyone loves. It’s a simple, no-cook meal that comes together in just 10 minutes, making it the perfect answer for a quick lunch, easy meal prep, or using up leftovers.

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Need a Delicious, Lightning-Fast Lunch?

This easy chicken salad recipe is the perfect solution because it combines pre-cooked chicken, a creamy mayonnaise dressing, and crunchy celery for a classic flavor profile. It’s a simple, no-cook meal that comes together in just 10 minutes, making it the ideal choice for a quick lunch or effortless meal prep. After making countless versions for quick work lunches and family picnics, I’ve perfected the ultimate 10-minute method that never fails. It’s my go-to for a reason: it’s incredibly fast, requires minimal effort, and delivers a consistently delicious result every single time. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a strategy for reclaiming your lunch break.

Why This 10-Minute Chicken Salad is a Game-Changer

This 10-minute chicken salad is a true game-changer because it perfectly balances incredible speed with classic, satisfying flavor using simple pantry staples you likely already have. It solves the “what’s for lunch” problem without any stress. In my experience, the best recipes are the ones you can rely on in a pinch, and this one has saved me from unsatisfying desk lunches more times than I can count.

Here’s why you’ll be making it on repeat:

Unbelievably Fast: Seriously. From pulling the ingredients out of the fridge to taking your first bite, you’re looking at 10 minutes, tops. It’s faster than waiting for delivery.
Uses Simple Ingredients: No fancy, hard-to-find items here. This recipe is built on pantry and fridge staples like cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, and onion.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This is one of those magic recipes that actually tastes better the next day. The flavors have time to meld together, making your future self very happy.
Endlessly Customizable: Think of this classic recipe as your perfect base. I’ll show you how to easily customize it with fruits, nuts, herbs, and more to keep things exciting.

The Classic 10-Minute Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

The main ingredients for a classic chicken salad are cooked chicken, mayonnaise, chopped celery, and onion. The dressing is typically seasoned with essentials like lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create that signature creamy and tangy flavor that makes a chicken salad truly irresistible. This foundational recipe is the blueprint for perfection—get this right, and you’ll have a flawless canvas for any and all creative variations. It’s the little black dress of lunch recipes: timeless, elegant, and always in style.

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make this easy chicken salad, you will need cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. The quality of these simple components is what makes the final product shine. Using a flavorful rotisserie chicken and a good-quality mayonnaise makes all the difference.

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken is perfect!)
1 cup mayonnaise (use a good quality one like Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Optional: Fresh dill or parsley, chopped

Pin this recipe to your ‘Easy Lunches’ board!

2. Mix and Serve

To make chicken salad, you first whisk the dressing ingredients together, then add the chicken and vegetables, and gently fold everything until it’s evenly coated. The key is to be gentle to maintain the texture of the chicken.

Instructions:

Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. This step ensures the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken, finely chopped celery, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. If you’re using optional fresh herbs like dill or parsley, add them now.
Gently Mix: Use a spatula or large spoon to gently fold and toss everything together. Continue until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
Taste and Chill: Give it a taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. For the absolute best flavor, cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. However, if you’re in a hurry, it can be enjoyed immediately.

Pro Tip: Don’t overmix! Gently folding the ingredients is crucial. It keeps the chicken in nice, tender chunks and prevents the salad from becoming mushy or pasty. While chilling is optional for a true 10-minute meal, I highly recommend it if you have the time—it really allows the flavors to marry.

Try this classic recipe and see how easy it is!

5 Easy Ways to Customize Your Chicken Salad

To customize chicken salad and make it your own, you can easily add fruit like grapes or apples, mix in nuts like pecans or almonds, use Greek yogurt for a healthier dressing, add chopped hard-boiled eggs, or include fresh herbs like dill or tarragon. These simple additions can completely transform the flavor and texture of the classic recipe. Think of the basic recipe as your starting point. From here, you can get creative and tailor it to your exact cravings or what you have on hand. Here are five of my favorite, well-tested variations.

1. Sweet & Fruity: Add Grapes or Apples

To make a deliciously fruity chicken salad, simply fold in halved red grapes, diced crisp apple, or tart dried cranberries into the classic recipe during the final mixing step. This adds a wonderful burst of sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory dressing.

Materials Needed:

1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
OR 1 medium crisp apple (like Honeycrisp or Gala), cored and diced
OR 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Step-by-Step Directions:

Prepare the classic chicken salad recipe as directed through step 3 of the instructions.
Gently fold in your fruit of choice during the final mixing step, just until combined.

Pro-Tip: For the best texture, always use crisp, firm apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji that won’t get mushy. I always recommend halving the grapes; this ensures you get a burst of juicy sweetness in every single bite instead of one giant grape overpowering a spoonful.

Save this sweet & savory idea for later!

2. Nutty & Crunchy: Add Toasted Nuts

For a fantastic nutty and crunchy texture, add toasted and cooled pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds to your chicken salad. The key is to add them just before serving to ensure they stay perfectly crunchy.

Materials Needed:

1/2 cup pecans, almonds, or walnuts

Step-by-Step Directions:

Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until they become fragrant. Watch them carefully as they can burn quickly!
Remove them from the heat and let them cool completely on a plate.
Roughly chop the cooled nuts.
Fold the toasted nuts into the prepared chicken salad just before you plan to serve it.

Pro-Tip: In my experience, toasting the nuts is a non-negotiable step! It’s a game-changer. This simple action releases their natural oils, deepening their flavor and making them significantly more aromatic and crunchy. Don’t skip it!

Love crunch? Pin this nutty variation!

3. Lighter & Healthier: Use a Greek Yogurt Base

To make a delicious and healthier chicken salad, simply replace the mayonnaise with an equal amount of plain, full-fat Greek yogurt. This swap creates a lighter, high-protein dressing without sacrificing the creamy texture.

Materials Needed:

1 cup plain, full-fat Greek yogurt (this replaces the 1 cup of mayonnaise)
All other classic recipe ingredients remain the same.

Step-by-Step Directions:

In your large bowl, start by whisking the Greek yogurt with the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Proceed with the classic recipe as written, combining the chicken, celery, and onion with this new, lighter yogurt-based dressing.

Pro-Tip: I strongly recommend using full-fat Greek yogurt. It’s far creamier and has a less aggressive tang than non-fat or low-fat versions, making it a much better substitute for mayonnaise’s richness. If you’re hesitant, try a 50/50 split of mayo and Greek yogurt to start!

Pin this healthy swap for a guilt-free lunch!

4. Rich & Savory: Mix in Hard-Boiled Eggs

For a richer, more substantial Southern-style salad, gently fold in 2-3 chopped, hard-boiled eggs along with the other ingredients. This adds a wonderful savory depth and a creamier texture that is pure comfort food.

Materials Needed:

2-3 hard-boiled eggs, cooled and chopped

Step-by-Step Directions:

Prepare the classic chicken salad recipe according to the instructions.
During the final mixing step, gently fold the chopped hard-boiled eggs into the salad until they are just combined.
For a classic Southern touch, you can add a pinch of paprika for extra color and a hint of smoky flavor.

Pro-Tip: The secret to perfectly easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs? Steam them! Place the eggs in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam for 12-13 minutes. Immediately plunge them into an ice bath for 10 minutes. The shells will slip right off.

Add this to your ‘Comfort Food’ board!

5. Zesty & Tangy: Add Pickles & Dill

To add a craveable zesty and tangy flavor, mix in finely chopped dill pickles and fresh dill to the classic chicken salad base. This variation is a favorite for anyone who loves a bright, briny kick.

Materials Needed:

1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickles OR 3 tablespoons dill pickle relish
2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill

Step-by-Step Directions:

Prepare the classic chicken salad recipe. You might consider reducing the lemon juice by half since the pickles add plenty of tang.
Fold in the chopped pickles (or relish) and the fresh dill along with the celery and onion.

Pro-Tip: One thing I learned was to always pat the chopped pickles or relish dry with a paper towel before adding them to the salad. This simple step removes excess brine and prevents the dressing from becoming watery, keeping your chicken salad perfectly creamy.

Save this zesty idea for a flavor kick!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Perfect Chicken Salad

Here’s a quick summary of the most important tips to remember. Mastering these few points will guarantee you perfect chicken salad every single time.

Start with Good Chicken: Using flavorful, moist pre-cooked chicken is the number one secret to the best chicken salad. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is my go-to for foolproof results.
Balance is Key: The perfect dressing isn’t just creamy; it has a balance of creamy (mayo/yogurt), tangy (lemon/mustard), and proper seasoning (salt/pepper). Always taste and adjust.
Texture Matters: A great chicken salad is never one-note. Always include a crunchy element like celery, onion, or nuts for the best and most satisfying eating experience.
Chill for Flavor: While you can absolutely eat it right away, letting the salad chill for at least 30 minutes allows all the individual flavors to meld together and deepen. It’s worth the wait if you have time.
Store Properly: To keep it fresh and safe, store your chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for 3-5 days. Do not freeze it, as the mayonnaise will separate upon thawing.

Final Thoughts

Now you have the perfect blueprint for a quick, delicious, and endlessly versatile meal that can save you on any busy day. This simple, 10-minute recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it’s a launchpad for your own creativity in the kitchen. Use it as a foundation and don’t be afraid to experiment.

What’s your absolute favorite mix-in for chicken salad? Let me know in the comments below

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Ready In 10 Minutes

Need a Delicious, Lightning-Fast Lunch?

Why This 10-Minute Chicken Salad is a Game-Changer