5 Chicken Salad Recipes, From Classic to Creative

They're just right over greens or in sandwich.

chicken tostada

Transform plain cooked chicken into a fresh and lively salad that's ideal for a picnic, an elegant luncheon, or even dinner by whipping up one of our creamy recipes. Whether you prefer a classic chicken salad wrapped in mayonnaise or the surprising addition of bacon, there's no denying that the protein-packed salad has become a mealtime staple.

All of our chicken salad ideas taste great atop a bed of lettuce or in a sandwich using the bread of your choice. Get ready to discover a chicken salad recipe in our collection that's so good, you'll want to make it on the regular.

01 of 05

Summer Waldorf With Yogurt-Tarragon Dressing

summer-waldorf-salad-107-d112989-2.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner

Our main dish Waldorf salad features sliced chicken breast. Juicy sweet slices of plum and toasted chopped almonds stand in for the usual apples and walnuts. In place of the mayo we've got a most delectable, and much lighter, yogurt-tarragon dressing.

02 of 05

Classic Chicken Salad

classic chicken salad sandwich
Credit: Con Poulos

The original and best, this chicken salad recipe truly is the classic. It’s made with chopped or shredded chicken, celery, parsley, lemon juice, and mayonnaise. Serve it on your favorite whole grain bread with baby greens or romaine or over a bed of baby greens—topped with halved red seedless grapes

03 of 05

Chicken Club Salad

med102787_0407_chksalad.jpg

Chunks of baked chicken, crumbled bacon, and chopped tomato and red onion mingle with light mayonnaise and white-wine vinegar in this deconstructed club sandwich. Pile the chicken salad on lettuce leaves or toasted sourdough bread to serve. You can prepare the components for this satisfying main-course salad beforehand, but arrange them just before serving.

04 of 05

Chicken Salad With Apples and Walnuts

Chicken Salad with Apples and Walnuts

A Waldorf salad by another name: Apples and walnuts add a satisfying crunch when paired with tender chicken and a tangy, reduced-fat mayonnaise-based dressing.

05 of 05

Tarragon Chicken Salad

med104694_0509_poach_chick.jpg

For this elevated chicken salad, chicken breasts are gently poached, shredded, and combined with celery, fresh tarragon, white wine vinegar, and olive oil to make this a light and refreshing dish to serve over lettuce or as an open sandwich.

Updated by
Victoria Spencer
Victoria Spencer, senior food editor, decorvow.com
Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the decorvow recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.

Related Articles