Easy Southern Chicken Salad
Southern, Homestyle Chicken Salad
(basic but full of flavor)
It’s so hard to get a homemade recipe for chicken salad if you ask people. Everyone always says “well…I don’t know…I never measure when I make it.” I always hate when people tell me that lol but I find myself saying the same thing. It really is one of those recipe that you just throw how much of each ingredient in that you like. I’ve been getting so many request for it, I thought I’d make it and try to write down everything I put in it.
Chicken salad sandwiches is one of my favorite kinds of sandwich. I’m pretty picky when it comes to chicken salad. I like it to look and taste a certain way. The right kind of bread you put it on is equally important: Buttery bakery croissants baby!!!
Although this chicken salad recipe is very basic, it is still creamy and full of flavor, yet still enough room to customize it just the way you like. It has just the right amount of crunch from the onions and celery with that perfect blend of spice from the celery salt and other seasonings. Not to mention that kick of light sweetness from the sweet relish.
If you like a sweet & crunchy chicken salad go ahead and throw in some cranberries, grapes, raisins or nuts.
As with all chicken salad recipes be sure to season a little at a time, tasting after each seasoning, until you get the taste you love.
Watch me make this southern, easy chicken salad sandwhiches from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breast, flattened
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 stalk of celery, diced
- 1/2 small white onion, diced
- 5 hardboiled eggs, diced
- 1 3/4 cups Mayonnaise, may need more or less. I used 1 cup Dukes and 3/4 cup Helmans
- 1/4 cup sweet relish
- SEASONINGS
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more if desired
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon onion powder, plus more if desire
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, plus more if desired
- Celery salt to taste
- Butter Bakery Croissants
- Lettuce
- Tomato
Instructions
- Season chicken breast with black pepper, celery salt, onion powder and garlic powder. You can also add more spices if you like.
- Place chicken in a large skillet.
- Add chicken broth and simmer covered on medium heat for 7 minutes per side or until done.
- When chicken is done, let it cool and shred. Set aside.
- In a bowl add chicken, onions, celery and eggs.
- Toss to combine.
- Stir in mayonnaise, sweet relish and the seasonings (black pepper, onion & garlic powder, celery salt) to enhance the flavor.
- Remember to taste it as you mix in the seasonings to check for the perfect balance.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. Overnight is best to maximize all the flavors.
- Sandwich between a buttery bakery croissant with lettuce and tomatoes.
Notes
Refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight for flavors to mix and mingle.
Tried this recipe?Mention @divascancook on Instagram or tag #divascancook.
This chicken salad recipe is fantastic! I used Duke’s only, a rotisserie chicken and didn’t have celery salt. It was so delicious!! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes! This is going to be in heavy rotation this summer!
Best chicken salad recipe!
What is dukes
A brand of mayonnaise. Just use your fav!
Great recipe Monique! I roast my chicken in the oven rather than boil it. I use the bone in breasts and smear with olive oil first then add the seasonings.
I like the addtion of red onion myself and use a bit of sour cream along with the mayo. Pickle relish and celery a must! Love your website and you !
I made this recipe for me and my boyfriend he absolutely loved it! The flavor was intense and it was so rich and creamy. Thanks for sharing!!! Five stars for sure????
First, can I say that you are the bomb diggity!!! I am “new” to this thing called cooking. I’ve been blessed with a husband who can cook so I thank God for that. But, I have just never had any interest in cooking…..until now. I have looked up a few recipes, haven’t tried them yet but you give me so much hope. I absolutely love the fact that you provide videos. I’m a visual learning so being able to watch the video helps tremendously. Thank you so much and I will be back once I try the many recipes you have to offer.
This is indeed, the best chicken salad I’ve ever made. May God bless you Ms. Monique for sharing this delicious recipe!
Great recipe! Works wonderfully with leftover roasted turkey breast.
I just made DCC’s chicken salad recipe and it’s on point!! Great step by step instructions. I didn’t add the Hellman’s as I only had Dukes available, but I’ll definitely add it next time…because there WILL be a next time!! I opted for crackers without the croissant sandwich, so that will be on my 2nd round as well. Finally, for those who are as eager to jump in as I was, I only refrigerated it for approximately three hours and it’s perfect!! Thanks for the recipe…looking forward to checking out your other delicacies in the future!
This came out Great!! I added some cayenne pepper to the chicken before cooking it. And since I love that sweet/salty mashup, I added craisins to the mix. It was mighty tasty before I put it in the fridge, so I can’t wait until it’s really ready!!
Thanks for another good one, Mo!!
Made this today and it is by far the best chicken salad I’ve ever made. This is the second recipe of yours I’ve made and I’m set to try another soon. Keep them coming because I’m definitely one of your biggest fans..
Im always looking for something different to cook. My mothers chicken salad is the best in the land. I tried your recipe and I so loved it. I gave samples of it to family and friends and they loved it also. I would love to try some of your other recipes.
Anita
This was the BOMB!!!!! Loved it!!! Thanks Diva!!!
This recipe is the bomb! Several months ago I was hosting a luncheon and wanted to make something light as well as filling for my guest. I decided on Chicken Salad but could not find a good one. I then remembered your site and found this recipe. All I can tell you is wow! This taste like a gourmet chicken salad I once had at a 5 star hotel. I followed your suggestions and used croissants instead of loaf bread. I had people fixing plates and making requests for me to “make them a batch”. I just love the blending of flavors that you use. I had never purchased celery salt before. Thank you for such a wonderful website. And for teaching me how to cook.
Awesome recipe!
I was browsing around the internet and I happened to watch one of your cooking videos on you tube. I have been watching them for about an hour now, so I am very happy to find your recipes quick and simple. I cook a lot anyway, however there were certain recipes like Chicken and Dumplings that I always wanted to learn how to make. I will surely pick up your cookbook. Great JOB!
Just made this chicken salad and its sooo good!!! I just held the celery salt because I like my chicken salad with a hint of sweetness not salty. Thanks!!!
Very GOOD!!!.. I also mix about 3 tbs. of Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce to give it a little spice!!!.. YUM!!!
I made this chicken salad it is amazing!! My boyfriend has asked me to make this 3 times in one week… He absolutely looooooves this salad!!! It’s very flavorful Thanks so much
That chicken salad is yummy-goodness! I cant wait to try it out!
Welllll, the verdicts in and it’s unanimous…it is very good! This is my first time trying to make chicken salad. I think next time I will try it without the eggs, and then compare. Can’t wait for lunch!
Make it a GREAT day!!!
I made this chicken salad tonight; tasted it while it was room temp; the verdicts still out. Can’t wait to try it chilled. I only used the Hellmans, not fond of Dukes (I hear ya TarHeelPhilly). Thanks for sharing!
Made this today, it was soooo tasty and flavorful. I even mixed the mayo’s and got the crescent rolls from WalMart. Thank you for opening your kitchen to us!
oh yum! wasn’t craving chicken salad til i seen this hahaha, im really diggin your site, very cool 🙂
I tried this and came out so good!!!! I have also made your sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie, banana pudding, and the fish and grits. Everything taste so good. Appreciate you sharing your recipes. Thanks!!!!!
Hey,thank you for what you, because of your post, I cook something new for my family quite Often. Hats off to the chef.
How do you flatten chicken breast?
How much relish did u put in?
Hey hun, do you realize the recipe says "14-1/2 teaspoon onion powder (plus more if desire)" I am sure you meant 1/4 -1/2. I am going to make this tomorrow, once I get some celery w/out the Dukes you know how I feel about Dukes, LOL! I also use 1/4 cup of Sour Cream(did I tell you I made my own Creme Fraishe?)
I've been craving chicken salad lately so I am definitely going to try it out. While I'm here, I just want to let you know that I'm a new subscriber and I really like your blogs and YouTube videos. I am really going to attempt to stop eating out so much and cook more to save money. All of your recipes look and sound delicious and can't wait try them.
I love chicken salad, too. Your recipe looks delish and close to how I make mine. I do like to use two tablespoons ( the kind you use to stir coffee) of sweet pickle relish, fresh ground black pepper, and a few dashes of liquid smoke. It sounds strange but it's very good. Thanks for the great site ladies!