This classic chicken salad is creamy, fresh, and wonderfully easy to prepare. Tender cooked chicken is combined with crisp celery, green onion, Dijon mustard, and a little fresh dill for a simple lunch that tastes homemade and satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy and flavorful: Mayonnaise creates a rich, smooth texture while Dijon mustard adds a gentle tang.
Quick and simple: Since the chicken is already cooked, this recipe comes together in just a few minutes.
Fresh and crunchy: Celery and green onion add texture and freshness to every bite.
Family-friendly: The mild flavors make it an easy choice for sandwiches, wraps, or a light salad.
Easy to customize: Add your favorite herbs, adjust the seasoning, or mix in extra vegetables.

Ingredients

A close-up of homemade classic chicken salad showing tender shredded chicken, creamy dressing, celery, green onion, and fresh dill. This chicken salad recipe has a rich, smooth texture with crunchy vegetables throughout. — Homemade chicken salad with tender chicken and crunchy vegetables.

2 cups cooked chopped or shredded chicken
½ cup mayonnaise
1 rib celery, diced
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt, plus more to taste
⅛ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill, or ¼ teaspoon dried dill, optional

Instructions

Add the cooked chicken to a medium mixing bowl.
Add the mayonnaise, diced celery, sliced green onion, Dijon mustard, seasoned salt, black pepper, and dill if using.
Stir gently until all the ingredients are evenly combined and the chicken is coated with the creamy dressing.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
For the best flavor, refrigerate the classic chicken salad for about 20–30 minutes before serving, if time allows.
Serve chilled as a sandwich, in a wrap, or over a bed of fresh salad greens.

Creamy chicken salad served over fresh salad greens with tender chicken, diced celery, and green onion. This easy chicken salad has a smooth mayonnaise dressing seasoned with Dijon mustard and dill. — Easy creamy chicken salad served over fresh greens.

Tips & Tricks

Use leftover chicken: Rotisserie-style roasted chicken, baked chicken, or poached chicken all work well.
Shred or chop: Finely chopped chicken gives a more uniform texture, while shredded chicken creates a softer, more rustic salad.
Chill before serving: A short rest in the refrigerator allows the flavors to blend.
Don’t overmix: Stir just until combined to keep the chicken from becoming mushy.
Adjust the creaminess: Add a little more mayonnaise if you prefer a softer, creamier texture.
Add crunch: Chopped apples, grapes, toasted pecans, or extra celery can provide additional texture.
Fresh dill: Fresh dill gives the brightest flavor, but dried dill is convenient when fresh herbs aren’t available.
Season gradually: Seasoned salt can vary in intensity, so taste before adding more.

Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes, assuming cooked chicken is ready
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: About 2½ cups
Servings: 4
Category: Lunch
Method: No-cook / mixing
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly when halal-certified ingredients are used; naturally pork-free and alcohol-free

A bowl of classic chicken salad made with tender chopped chicken, creamy mayonnaise, crisp celery, and sliced green onion. Fresh dill and black pepper add color and flavor to this easy chicken salad. — Creamy classic chicken salad with crisp celery and fresh dill.

Notes

For a lighter variation, replace part of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. You can also add finely diced apple, halved grapes, toasted nuts, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Serve the salad on toasted bread, croissants, lettuce leaves, crackers, or in a tortilla wrap. It also makes a simple protein-rich topping for a green salad.

Nutrition

Approximate values per serving, based on four servings and may vary by ingredients and brands.

Calories: 330
Protein: 22 g
Carbohydrates: 3 g
Fat: 25 g

FAQ

What is classic chicken salad made of?
Classic chicken salad is typically made with cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, onion, mustard, and seasonings. Fresh herbs such as dill can be added for extra flavor.

Can I use shredded chicken for chicken salad?
Yes. Shredded chicken works especially well because it blends easily with the creamy dressing. Chopped chicken can be used when you prefer larger pieces and more texture.

How can I make chicken salad more flavorful?
Dijon mustard, fresh dill, black pepper, and green onion add plenty of flavor. You can also try a small amount of lemon juice, chopped herbs, or diced pickles.

Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes. Making it a few hours ahead can actually improve the flavor because the ingredients have time to blend. Keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

What can I serve with chicken salad?
Serve it in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or over mixed greens. Fresh fruit, crackers, cucumber slices, or a simple green salad also pair nicely with it.

Can I use leftover cooked chicken?
Absolutely. Leftover roasted, baked, or poached chicken is an excellent choice and makes this recipe especially convenient.

Storage

Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 3–4 days.

For the best texture, stir it gently before serving. If it seems slightly dry after refrigeration, a small spoonful of mayonnaise can restore its creaminess.

Freezing is not recommended, because mayonnaise-based salads can separate and become watery after thawing. For the best quality, prepare only as much as you expect to enjoy within a few days.

Homemade chicken salad served in a sandwich with creamy chicken filling and crisp vegetables. The classic chicken salad features tender chicken, celery, green onion, and Dijon mustard. — Classic chicken salad piled into a fresh sandwich.

Similar Recipes