This homemade chicken salad is the perfect deli-style recipe to make at home. Learn how to make a flavorful and easy chicken salad recipe!

Homemade Chicken Salad

While I’m writing this, it’s not summer here yet, but I’m already looking forward to it…and all its classic flavors. For instance, this homemade chicken salad is an easy way to prep a summer favorite without heading down to the deli!

Chicken salad is the most typical warm-weather picnic food, isn’t it? I have it every summer, and everyone else I know does, too. In fact, I think I’ve been eating it since I was a kid! It’s THAT much of a staple. I feel like if you live here in the States, you’re into chicken salad, no matter who you are!

Because it’s such a crowd-pleaser, I think it’s really good to have an easy recipe for it. This homemade chicken salad recipe is simple and tastes wonderful whether you eat it as-is or in a wrap or on a sandwich. You can also customize the recipe with your favorite flavors if the base needs something more! Let’s get started…

Recipe for Homemade Chicken Salad

Here is everything I used to make this Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Recipe:

** Ingredients are at a glance. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full amounts and printable recipe. **

• mayonnaise
• Miracle Whip
• paprika
• seasoning salt
• cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (leftover rotisserie chicken can work well!)
• dried cranberries, dried cherries or grape halves
• chopped celery
• green onions, chopped
• finely chopped green pepper or apple
• toasted pecans, chopped
• Ground black pepper, to taste

How to make Chicken Salad

One of the simplest recipes ever for one of the tastiest salads ever!

1. In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, paprika and seasoning salt. Mix until well combined.
2. Add the chicken, cranberries, celery, green onions, green pepper, and pecans. Mix well. Season with pepper to taste.
3. Chill at least 1 hour, preferably 4-6 hours, before serving. Don’t skip this step – it lets the flavors come together.
4. Refrigerate leftovers. Don’t leave it out for more than an hour or two!

Chicken Salad: Questions & Answers

If you have questions about this chicken salad recipe, I have answers! Take a look at this section before leaving a comment if you run into trouble or just want some suggestions.

• Are there substitutes for the mayonnaise?

Using Greek yogurt also works, and is low-calorie to boot! BBQ sauce is also delicious in place of the mayo … of course, then it becomes a BBQ chicken salad instead of a deli-style chicken salad. But maybe that’s what you want!! ?

• Do you recommend any other spices?

Chipotle seasoning, curry powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper taste great in this recipe, especially if you want a “kick” to the flavor.

• How do you recommend serving this?

You can eat it as-is, or put it in a whole-wheat bun, on spinach, or as a lettuce wrap! Chicken salad sandwiches are also fantastic, especially on baguettes or croissants like we did for this post.

• How long will this last in the fridge?

About 3-4 days. Wrap it tight with saran wrap!

• How long will this last in the freezer?

I actually wouldn’t freeze this, as the mayo will separate when you defrost it! Freeze just the chicken instead, and make the rest of the salad fresh.

• What other fruits can you add to this salad?

The sky’s the limit! Raisins taste wonderful in particular and give you a much different salad than if you use grapes. If you want a tropical flavor instead, add coconut, mango, pineapple, etc. Get creative with this, y’all!

• What other nuts can you add?

Oh, any of them!! I always recommend using what you have on hand for chicken salad. If you’re not a fan of pecans, or just want more crunch, add peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews, Macadamia nuts, etc. You can also leave them out, of course!

How did you like this deli-style chicken salad?

Now you don’t even need to head down to your favorite shop to snap up a delicious chicken salad … unless you want to, of course!! Did you add anything to this chicken salad, or stick to the recipe? Did you have any questions about it? Comment down below. I’d love to hear from you!

Check out more chicken salad recipes on Love Bakes Good Cakes!

Turns out, I’ve featured a lot of chicken salad recipes here on the blog. Probably because it’s SO amazing! 

• Peanut Butter Apple Chicken Salad Wraps
• Lighter Chicken Salad Sandwiches
• Bacon Lettuce Avocado Tomato Chicken Salad Wrap
• Jacked-up Monterey Chicken Salad

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Yield: 8-10 servings

Deli-Style Chicken Salad

Print

This homemade chicken salad is the perfect deli-style recipe to make at home. Learn how to make a flavorful and easy chicken salad recipe!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup Miracle Whip
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. seasoning salt
• 4 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
• 1 cup dried cranberries, dried cherries or grape halves
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 3/4 cup chopped green pepper or apple
• 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
• ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, paprika and seasoning salt. Mix until well combined.
2. Add the chicken, cranberries, celery, green onions, green pepper, and pecans. Mix well. Season with pepper to taste.
3. Chill at least 1 hour, preferably 4-6 hours, before serving.
4. Refrigerate leftovers.

Notes

Don’t skip step #3 ... it lets the flavors come together!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Contemporary Self-sharpening 20-piece Knife Block Set
• 
  Cutting Board Set, 15-Inch by 20-Inch by 1/2-Inch, Assorted Colors
• 
  Glass Food Prep and Mixing Bowls, 4 Quart (Set of 2)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 358Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 370mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 3gSugar: 19gProtein: 14g

Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary greatly between brands. Always be sure to read labels.

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Originally published on August 18, 2012. Updated on May 25, 2020.