Cooking brings people together, and what better dish to share than chicken salad? Whether it’s a light lunch or a hearty dinner, everyone loves a good chicken salad. Today, we’ve compiled 14 crowd-pleasing recipes that are not only easy to make but are sure to delight your taste buds and keep you coming back for more. Let’s dive in!
Classic Chicken Salad
This one’s a keeper! I always make this on rainy days, and it never disappoints.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup red grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper to taste
Process:
- In a bowl, combine chicken, celery, grapes, and mayonnaise.
- Mix until well combined and season with salt and pepper.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Make it Unique:
Try adding walnuts or swap grapes for apples for a crunchy twist!
Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Can’t wait for you to try this! It’s the perfect mix of flavors and so easy to whip up!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grilled chicken, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Process:
- In a large bowl, toss together chicken, tomatoes, olives, cucumber, and feta.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and toss again gently.
Make it Unique:
Add roasted red peppers or switch the feta for goat cheese for a different flavor!
Thai Chicken Salad
This is perfect for when you want something light and vibrant!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 4 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup carrots, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup peanuts, crushed
- 1/4 cup Thai dressing
Process:
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, cabbage, carrots, and cilantro.
- Drizzle with Thai dressing and mix well before serving. Top with crushed peanuts.
Make it Unique:
Add some mandarin oranges or swap peanuts for sesame seeds for a delightful texture!
Southwestern Chicken Salad
Trust me, this recipe is as simple as it gets. You can’t go wrong, and it’s so tasty!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
- 1 cup corn, canned or fresh
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup lime vinaigrette
Process:
- In a bowl, combine chicken, corn, beans, avocado, and cilantro.
- Drizzle with lime vinaigrette and toss gently to mix.
Make it Unique:
Try adding diced jalapeños for a spicy kick or replace corn with diced bell peppers!
Curried Chicken Salad
I make this dish every year for my family gatherings. It’s always the first to go!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp curry powder
- Salt to taste
Process:
- In a bowl, mix chicken, raisins, almonds, mayonnaise, curry powder, and salt.
- Serve chilled with greens.
Make it Unique:
Experiment with adding diced apples or swapping raisins for dried cranberries!
Lemon Herb Chicken Salad
This one’s perfect for a quick meal that satisfies everyone. I bet you’ll make it again and again.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Process:
- In a bowl, combine chicken, cucumber, and green onions.
- Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
Make it Unique:
Add dill for an extra punch or throw in some avocado for creaminess!
BBQ Chicken Salad
Perfect for summer barbecues or picnics – you’ll love it!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup corn
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Process:
- Toss chicken with BBQ sauce in a bowl.
- In a large salad bowl, combine greens, corn, and topped with BBQ chicken and cheese.
Make it Unique:
Add crispy bacon bits or use ranch dressing instead of BBQ for a twist!
Asian Chicken Salad
You’re going to love the crunch and flavor in this salad!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grilled chicken, sliced
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup sesame dressing
- 1/4 cup crispy wonton strips
Process:
- In a large bowl, toss together chicken, greens, carrots, and cabbage.
- Drizzle with sesame dressing and top with wonton strips before serving.
Make it Unique:
Try adding mandarin slices or swap the dressing for peanut sauce!
Pesto Chicken Salad
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover pesto and it’s super flavorful!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 4 cups arugula
Process:
- In a bowl, combine chicken, pesto, tomatoes, and walnuts.
- Serve on a bed of arugula.
Make it Unique:
Add roasted garlic or swap walnuts for pine nuts for a different taste!
Caesar Chicken Salad
This one’s perfect for a filling meal that’s also super satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grilled chicken, sliced
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup croutons
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Process:
- In a bowl, combine romaine, chicken, and Caesar dressing.
- Top with croutons and parmesan before serving.
Make it Unique:
Add bacon bits for a savory bite or use kale instead for a heartier version!
Fruit & Yogurt Chicken Salad
This is a delightful, healthy option that’s great for warm days!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
- Mint leaves for garnish
Process:
- In a bowl, mix chicken, strawberries, blueberries, yogurt, and honey together.
- Serve chilled and garnish with mint leaves.
Make it Unique:
Add a squeeze of lime or throw in some granola for crunch!
Conclusion
So there you have it—14 easy chicken salad recipes that are sure to impress at any gathering or simply brighten your weeknight dinner. Whichever you choose to try first, know that these options are filled with flavor and can be customized to suit your taste. Grab your ingredients and let’s get cooking!