Go Back
+ servings
The best chicken salad recipe in a white serving bowl.
Print Recipe
4.96 from 403 votes

Ultimate Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken salad is a classic salad recipe with diced chicken, creamy mayonnaise, crisp celery, green onion, sweet grapes, and fresh herbs. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Salad, Chicken Salad Recipe, How To Make Chicken Salad
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup red grapes quartered
  • 2 celery ribs diced
  • 3 green onions (green and white parts) sliced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup sliced raw almonds
  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon
  • 1 lemon juiced (about 3 tablespoons)
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

For the poached chicken

  • Cover the chicken with water. Place the chicken breasts in a wide pot or pan and cover by about an inch with cold water. Season the water with salt. Optionally, you can add aromatics of your choice. Read my poached chicken recipe for more details.
    Two chicken breasts in a pot.
  • Simmer the chicken. Turn the heat to medium until it reaches a gentle simmer. Then reduce the heat back to low and cover the pan. Let the chicken simmer for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F to 165°F. Remove the chicken and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Then chill in the fridge.
    Chicken poaching in a pot.

For the chicken salad recipe

  • Dice the cooled chicken. Transfer the cooled chicken to a cutting board and dice it into ½-inch pieces. Add it to a large mixing bowl.
    Poached chicken on a cutting board.
  • Mix together and chill. Add the grapes, celery, green onion, mayonnaise, mustard, almonds, parsley, tarragon, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, then stir together, until well combined. Let it chill covered in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
    Mixing the ingredients for chicken salad in a bowl.
  • Serve. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with additional fresh herbs, if you'd like.
    Chicken salad in a white bowl.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 782mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 318IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg