This quick and easy to make Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe is packed with flavor and makes the perfect anytime meal! Perfect when served on bread, a croissant, or bed of lettuce! The perfect side dish or main meal that can be prepped ahead of time!
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This easy Chicken Salad recipe is made with simple ingredients and is one of my favorite lunches! You can keep it simple as written in this recipe, or dress it up and bring it to new levels by adding in grapes, dried cranberries, red onion, pecans, and more! Want a spicy version? Try this Jalapeno Chicken Salad! There are so many great ways to enjoy this simple chicken salad recipe too. Whether you enjoy it as a sandwich, on a bagel or croissant, over salad, or in lettuce wraps. We love to meal prep this on the weekends and enjoy it throughout the week for a quick on-the-go option for those busy days! Also be sure to try my Easy Egg Salad recipe for another great lunch idea or my Creamy Grape Salad for a side dish!!
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Why You’ll Love this recipe for Simple Chicken Salad
- Quick and Easy– this recipe takes only a few minutes to prepare and can be shortened even more by using leftover chicken or Rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Flavorful– this classic chicken salad is creamy, sweet, savory, and crunchy. The best flavor combination!
- Easy to meal prep– this recipe lasts up to 4 days in the refrigerator making it perfect to prepare ahead of time and enjoy as a quick lunch option.
- Customizable– so many great ways to serve this chicken salad as well as adding in lots of yummy ingredients to make it your own.
Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich Ingredient Notes
See printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact amount and step by step directions.
- Chicken– I use about one pound chicken tenderloins in this recipe, however, you can also use leftover chicken, shredded baked chicken breast, Rotisserie chicken, or chicken you have cooked in the slow cooker/ Instant Pot/ air fryer.
- Chicken Bouillon Cubes– these are only needed if you are cooking the chicken for this recipe. If you have already cooked chicken, omit this ingredient.
- Dry Ranch Dressing Mix– I use this as the seasoning base when cooking my chicken.
- Water– this is used to combine with the Ranch mix when cooking the chicken.
- Mayonnaise– any brand of mayo works. You can also use Miracle Whip if desired.
- Celery– chopped into small pieces, this gives the chicken salad sandwiches their delicious crunch.
Variations and Substitutions
- To make this low carb, serve chicken salad on a salad or as a lettuce wrap.
- Feel free to use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream in place of the mayonnaise.
- Add in about ½ tablespoon of lemon juice for a sweet, tangy addition.
- Cut grapes, chopped pecans, raisins, almonds, cranberries, red onion, and apple are all great options to add into this yummy salad.
- You can use canned chicken to save on time, just be sure to fully drain the chicken before proceeding with recipe.
- Fresh herbs such as dill, parsley, green onions, cilantro, salt, pepper, or diced even pickles are great add in’s.
How do you make Chicken Salad Sandwiches
These are the simple directions if you are needing to cook your chicken as well. If you already have cooked chicken, simply combine with the mayonnaise and celery, using this recipe as a base to add in your favorite additions.
- In a pan over medium-high heat, add your chicken tenderloins, bouillon cube, 1 tablespoon Ranch dressing mix, and water.
- Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Remove chicken tenderloins and place into a large bowl to shred.
- Add the mayonnaise and celery to the cooked chicken breast, stirring to combine.
- Add in 1 teaspoon Ranch seasoning mix.
- Stir until all is combined and cover bowl. Store in refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
How to serve Chicken Salad
Here are some great ways to serve this recipe for easy chicken salad.
- Wraps– we love using wheat or spinach tortillas
- Bagels or Croissants– toasted, or not, these are great options, especially when you add some fresh lettuce and tomato
- Bread– pick your favorite sandwich bread
- Salad– start with a bed of lettuce and add in some other produce such as cucumbers, avocado, and tomatoes
- Lettuce Wraps– these are great for a low-carb option
- Pita Bread– this is one of my favs because it holds up so well and I love to add in sprouts with it and the chicken salad
How to store Chicken Salad
- Since mayonnaise is in this recipe, you want to make sure you store the leftovers in the fridge. Place in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cooked chicken will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, so go by the date when your chicken was cooked to figure out how long you can store your chicken salad in the fridge.
- Unfortunately, chicken salad sandwiches do not freeze well because of the mayonnaise. For meal prep, just make the chicken ahead of time and then you’ve got lunch in minutes.
More Lunch Recipes to try
Turkey, Bacon, and Avocado Panini– a layered sandwich packed with flavor! Whether enjoyed as a lunch, dinner, or snack option..this panini comes together in only a few minutes!
Classic Tuna Melt Panini– starts with a crunch and ends with a cheesy, flavor packed tuna mixture in the center!
Burrito Rollups– these pinwheel sandwiches feature a delightful combination of creamy, cheesy refried bean fillings wrapped in tortillas and cut into bite-sized treats.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders– these mini sandwiches combine tender shredded chicken, zesty ranch dressing, smoky bacon, and melted cheddar cheese, all nestled between soft Hawaiian rolls.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Sandwiches– a flavorful blend of shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, and BACON! Effortlessly create a simple, addictive, and flavor-packed meal for any occasion!
Fried Uncrustables– crispy and delicious, viral tiktok recipe that the whole family will enjoy! Perfect for a quick meal, snack, or lunchbox addition!
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Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins *chicken breasts can be used too
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 tablespoon Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix *this helps season the chicken as it cooks
- 1 teaspoon Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix *this gets added to the chicken salad
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup celery *chopped
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, add in the chicken tenderloins, the bouillon cube, 1 tablespoon Ranch dressing mix, and the 2 cups water.
- Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.
- Remove chicken and place in a medium mixing bowl.
- Shred using two forks and stir in the mayonnaise.
- Add in the celery and 1 teaspoon Ranch seasoning (more if desired). You can add in any additional ingredients at this time such as grapes, walnuts, pecans, apples, raisins, or cranberries.
- Cover bowl and place in the fridge to chill for a minimum of one hour. Serve on sandwich bread, croissant, rolls, lettuce, etc.
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