Classic Chicken Salad

A basic chicken salad recipe that you can dress up to suit your fancy.

I think I've discovered something about myself. I *think* I might have a chicken salad addiction. I was just saving this photo and realized this is the third chicken salad recipe I've posted in less than a year.

Also check out my recipes for Buffalo Chicken Salad and Golden Pecan Chicken Salad and this post for Chicken Salad 3 Ways that includes Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad and Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad.

That’s probably because I refuse to let anything – especially meat – go to waste. I made this batch with the two breasts that were left over from the chickens I roasted this weekend and it’s served my lunch box well this week.

You can add stuff to this recipe to suit your fancy. This is just a good, basic chicken salad recipe. Sometimes I add minced celery, sweet pickle relish and/or chopped boiled eggs. And sometimes I like it plain just like this.

I mentioned this in the Golden Pecan Chicken Salad recipe but I’ll post it here again… There’s a little trick to this recipe that you don’t want to skip. I saw Julia Child do this once on a cooking show and it’s been scorched into my brain ever since. You “marinate” the cooked chicken in the seasonings and a little olive oil before adding the other ingredients.

This helps the chicken absorb the flavors and stay moist. You don’t have to use near as much mayo when you make it this way either. So, the end result is more flavorful and you don’t have use as much mayo? Double score!

If you enjoy salads like this, you might enjoy these recipes too!

• Mediterranean Lentil Salad - Lentil salad with an easy homemade Mediterranean inspired vinaigrette (or use prepared) and fresh, crisp vegetables.
• Cucumber & Tomato Salad with a Simple Summer Vinaigrette - A salad made with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and an easy oil and vinegar dressing.
• Crunchy Oriental Ramen Salad - A crunchy Oriental salad recipe using coleslaw mix and ramen noodles! This retro Asian-inspired salad is always a hit!
• Creamy Macaroni Salad - A cool and creamy macaroni salad recipe with red onions, celery, mayo and a ton of flavor.
• Picnic Pasta Salad - Classic pasta salad recipe made with Italian dressing, cucumbers and tomatoes.
• Creamy Cucumber Salad - A German recipe for cool and creamy cucumber salad made with sour cream, a little vinegar and a pinch of sugar.

Classic Chicken Salad
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast*
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise

Combine chicken, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours). Add mayo and mix well. Salt to taste if necessary and/or add more mayo to your liking. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Feel free to add minced celery, diced onion, sweet pickle relish, chopped boiled eggs or anything else you enjoy (you'll likely need more than 1/4 cup of mayo if you add extra stuff - especially boiled eggs).

*Any leftover chicken will work but when I’m making this from scratch, I poach chicken breasts in a little water liberally seasoned with salt and pepper. And I always, always, always use the bone-in split chicken breasts with skin because the chicken is so much more flavorful than boneless/skinless chicken breasts. And when I’m done I have a rich, yummy chicken stock leftover to pop in the freezer for later use.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

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