7 Delicious Chicken Salad Recipes For Quick Lunches

Are you stuck in a lunch rut, staring into the fridge at the same uninspired options day after day? It’s a familiar struggle: you want something quick and easy, but you’re tired of boring sandwiches and repetitive salads. That midday meal should be a highlight, not a chore.

The cycle of unexciting lunches can leave you feeling drained and unsatisfied. You need a solution that’s not only delicious but also versatile enough to keep things interesting. Something you can prep ahead to save precious time during a busy week.

Here’s the secret weapon for your lunchtime woes: chicken salad is an incredibly versatile dish perfect for quick lunches. It combines cooked chicken with a creamy binder like mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and various mix-ins such as celery, grapes, or nuts for added flavor and texture, making it a go-to for easy meal prep. As a home cook who relies on smart meal prep, I’ve perfected the art of turning simple leftover chicken into a week’s worth of incredible lunches. I’m sharing my best-of-the-best recipes with you.

Tired of the Same Old Sandwich? Unlock the Secret to Perfect Chicken Salad

The beauty of chicken salad lies in its simplicity and adaptability. It’s the ultimate culinary chameleon, ready to be transformed with just a few ingredients. Whether you have leftover rotisserie chicken, some poached chicken breasts, or even a can of chicken in the pantry, you’re just minutes away from a satisfying meal. Forget the bland, one-note salads of the past. We’re about to explore a world of flavor and texture that will make you fall in love with lunch all over again.

The Anatomy of an Unforgettable Chicken Salad

The main ingredients for a classic chicken salad are cooked chicken (shredded or diced), a creamy binder (typically mayonnaise), and crunchy vegetables (like celery and onion). Understanding these core components is the key to customizing your perfect batch.

• The Chicken: This is your foundation. Poached chicken breast offers the most tender, clean flavor. Rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver and brings its own savory, roasted notes. In a pinch, even high-quality canned chicken works well. The key is to have it cooked and either shredded or diced into bite-sized pieces.
• The Creamy Binder: This brings everything together. Mayonnaise is the classic choice, providing richness and a tangy flavor. For a healthier, high-protein alternative, plain Greek yogurt is fantastic, offering a similar tang with less fat. A combination of the two often yields the best results—creamy richness from the mayo and bright tang from the yogurt.
• The Flavorful Mix-Ins: This is where you can get creative! It’s all about adding texture and complementary flavors.
  • For Crunch: Diced celery, red onion, bell peppers, water chestnuts, toasted nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts).
  • For Sweetness: Halved grapes, diced apples, dried cranberries, or golden raisins.
  • For Freshness: Chopped fresh herbs like dill, parsley, chives, or tarragon.
  • For Tang: A squeeze of lemon juice, a dash of Dijon mustard, or chopped pickles.

7 Delicious Chicken Salad Recipes For Quick Lunches (Updated for 2024)

Ready to find your new favorite lunch? These 7 recipes are the result of years of testing and tasting. Each one is a proven winner, balanced for flavor, texture, and simplicity. From the timeless classic that never disappoints to a zesty Southwestern version that packs a punch, there’s a chicken salad here for every craving.

1. The Ultimate Classic Chicken Salad

This recipe is the quintessential, no-fuss version of chicken salad that everyone loves. It’s simple, savory, and relies on a few quality ingredients for its timeless flavor.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 rib celery, diced
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ¼ tsp seasoned salt
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper
• Instructions:
  1. In a medium bowl, add the chopped chicken, diced celery, and sliced green onion.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, seasoned salt, and black pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently until everything is well-coated.
  4. For best results, chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Pro-Tip: Letting the salad chill is non-negotiable! This allows the flavors to meld together, transforming it from a simple mix of ingredients into a truly cohesive and delicious classic chicken salad.

Save this classic recipe for your next easy lunch!

2. Sweet & Crunchy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

This version is a Southern-style favorite that perfectly balances savory chicken with sweet grapes and buttery, toasted pecans. The addition of fresh dill adds an irresistible herbaceous note.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb cooked chicken breast, diced
  • 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, halved grapes, sliced celery, chopped red onion, and toasted pecans.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or yogurt), lemon juice, and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Lesson Learned: Always toast your nuts! It only takes a few minutes in a dry pan, but it deepens their flavor and makes their crunch so much more satisfying. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference.

Pin this fruity & nutty recipe for later!

3. Healthy & High-Protein Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

This recipe offers a lighter, no-mayo alternative that’s packed with protein thanks to the use of Greek yogurt. It’s bright, zesty, and completely guilt-free.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup grapes, chopped
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • ½ red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tsp sea salt
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped grapes, celery, red onion, toasted almonds, and parsley.
  2. Add the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  3. Stir everything together until well combined. Season with sea salt.
  4. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Pro-Tip: Use full-fat plain Greek yogurt if you can. It provides the richest, creamiest texture that’s most similar to mayonnaise, without the watery consistency that lower-fat yogurts can sometimes have.

Love healthy lunches? Save this high-protein recipe!

4. Waldorf-Inspired Chicken Salad with Apples and Walnuts

This hearty salad is a delicious mashup of two classics, featuring crisp apples, earthy walnuts, and rich hard-boiled eggs. It’s a textural masterpiece that’s both comforting and refreshing.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • 4 large hard-boiled eggs, mashed
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, minced
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 green onions, minced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ tsp mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mashed hard-boiled eggs, diced apple, minced celery, chopped walnuts, and minced green onions.
  2. Add the mayonnaise and mustard. Stir gently until all ingredients are coated.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
  4. Chill before serving for the best flavor.

Pro-Tip: Use a crisp, tart apple like a Granny Smith. Its firm texture holds up well in the salad without getting mushy, and its tartness provides a perfect counterbalance to the creamy mayonnaise and rich eggs.

Add this crunchy, satisfying recipe to your lunch board!

5. Zesty Southwestern Chicken Salad

For those who crave bold flavors, this Southwestern version delivers with sweet corn, black beans, fresh cilantro, and a spicy, taco-seasoned dressing. It’s a party in a bowl.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • ⅓ cup canned corn, drained
  • ⅓ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • ⅓ cup tomato, diced
  • 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
  • 3 Tbsp mayonnaise or avocado oil mayo
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 Tbsp chunky salsa
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (or more to taste)
  • 1 tsp taco seasoning
  • Juice of ½ lime
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, corn, black beans, diced tomato, and cilantro.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, salsa, hot sauce, taco seasoning, and lime juice.
  3. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss to combine.
  4. Serve with tortilla chips, in a wrap, or over greens.

Lesson Learned: Rinsing the canned black beans is a crucial step. It removes the excess sodium and starchy liquid from the can, resulting in a cleaner flavor and better texture for your salad.

Spice up your lunch! Pin this zesty recipe now.

6. Tangy Chicken Salad with Dill Pickles

If you love the briny bite of dill pickles, this recipe is for you. It’s a uniquely tangy and savory chicken salad that’s packed with chopped pickles, fresh dill, and a splash of pickle juice for extra zing.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, poached and cubed
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup finely chopped dill pickles, plus 1 Tbsp pickle juice
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken, chopped dill pickles, red onion, and celery.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, pickle juice, fresh dill, and Dijon mustard.
  3. Pour the dressing over the chicken and stir until everything is coated.
  4. Season generously with salt and pepper. Chill before serving.

Pro-Tip: Don’t throw out that pickle juice! Adding a tablespoon or two to the dressing is the secret to infusing the entire salad with that irresistible tangy, briny flavor you’re looking for.

Pickle lover? You have to save this recipe!

7. Aromatic Curry Chicken Salad

Take your taste buds on an adventure with this warm, aromatic curry chicken salad. The sweet notes from golden raisins and diced apple provide the perfect counterpoint to the fragrant curry powder.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups cooked, diced chicken
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 1-2 Tbsp curry powder (to taste)
  • ½ cup Golden Delicious apple, diced
  • ¼ cup golden raisins
  • ¼ cup celery, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and curry powder until smooth.
  2. In a larger bowl, combine the diced chicken, apple, golden raisins, celery, and green onions.
  3. Pour the curry dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until well combined.
  4. Season with salt and pepper. Let it chill for at least an hour for the flavors to deepen.

Lesson Learned: Curry powders vary wildly in heat and flavor. Start with one tablespoon, taste the dressing, and then add more if you want a bolder flavor. It’s easier to add more than to take it away!

Ready for a flavor adventure? Pin this curry recipe!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to a Better Chicken Salad

• Start with Great Chicken: Whether you poach, roast, or use a rotisserie chicken, ensure it’s tender and flavorful. Don’t overcook it!
• Balance Creamy & Crunchy: The magic is in the texture. Pair your creamy dressing with crunchy elements like celery, onions, nuts, or crisp apples.
• Let It Chill: Always refrigerate your chicken salad for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step allows the flavors to meld and deepen.
• Taste and Adjust: Don’t be afraid to customize. Add a squeeze of lemon for brightness, a pinch of sugar for balance, or more herbs for freshness.
• Think Beyond the Sandwich: Serve your creation in lettuce wraps, stuffed in avocados or tomatoes, or with crackers for a versatile meal or snack.

People Also Ask About Chicken Salad Recipes

What are the main ingredients you put in chicken salad?

The core ingredients for a classic chicken salad are cooked chicken, a creamy binder like mayonnaise, and a crunchy vegetable, most commonly celery. From there, you can add onions for savory flavor, fruits like grapes or apples for sweetness, nuts for crunch, and fresh herbs like dill or parsley for brightness. Seasonings typically include salt, pepper, and sometimes mustard.

How can I make chicken salad healthier?

To make chicken salad healthier, replace all or part of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. This boosts the protein content and lowers the fat. You can also load it up with extra vegetables like bell peppers and cucumbers, and ensure you’re using lean, skinless chicken breast. Serving it in lettuce wraps or over a bed of greens instead of on bread also makes it a lighter meal.

How long does homemade chicken salad last in the fridge?

Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade chicken salad will last for 3 to 5 days. It’s important to keep it chilled and not leave it at room temperature for more than two hours to ensure it stays safe to eat. Freezing is generally not recommended as the mayonnaise-based dressing can separate and become watery upon thawing.

Final Thoughts

With these seven recipes in your arsenal, you’re officially ready to conquer lunchtime! Say goodbye to boring sandwiches and hello to a world of creamy, crunchy, and flavorful possibilities.

What’s your absolute favorite mix-in for chicken salad? Share your secrets in the comments below