Chicken Salad Sandwich

There’s something timeless about a good chicken salad sandwich. It fits every occasion, whether that’s a light lunch, a picnic in the park or a quick dinner on a busy night. And a chicken salad sandwich recipe doesn’t need bells and whistles to be memorable. Tender chicken is the star, soaking up the creamy mayo, zippy Dijon and fresh dill like a champ, while celery acts as the perfect crunchy sidekick. Whether you serve it on classic squishy white bread, buttery croissants or tortillas, this chicken salad recipe is pure gold. Plus, it’s a perfect way to make the most of leftover chicken!

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make a good sandwich recipe. All it takes is quality ingredients, balanced flavors and a touch of care. After all, sometimes the best things in life are the simplest.

Chicken Salad Sandwich Ingredients

• Chicken: Shredded or cubed cooked chicken breasts perfectly absorb the dressing. Use leftover grilled chicken, make poached chicken on the fly, or buy a store-bought rotisserie chicken just to make your sandwich.
• Celery: Crunch is key to any good chicken salad sandwich, and celery adds a fresh, crispy bite that balances the creaminess of the mayonnaise. Thinly slice it for a subtle texture that won’t overpower the salad.
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise acts as a creamy base for the salad. Use a good-quality mayo for the best flavor, or substitute in Greek yogurt for a lighter twist.
• Dijon mustard: There is nothing like the tangy, slightly sharp flavor of Dijon mustard, which cuts the richness of the mayo and gives our salad a little edge. You can even make your own Dijon mustard to turn up those zesty flavors.
• Fresh dill: Fresh dill brings a burst of herbal brightness. If you use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs, you’ll want to decrease the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.
• Salt and pepper: Salt enhances all the flavors, from the chicken to the dill, so adjust to your taste if needed. A touch of black pepper gives just the right hint of warmth and spice, rounding out the flavors.
• White bread: Say what you will about classic white bread, but the pillowy texture cannot be beat when matched to a mayo-based salad like this one.
• Lettuce leaves: Crisp lettuce adds texture and a fresh, green layer of crunch to the sandwich. Romaine or butter lettuce are great choices.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the chicken salad

In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken breast with celery, mayo, mustard, dill, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Build the sandwich

Serve the chicken salad on slices of white bread with lettuce leaves, if desired

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

Chicken Salad Sandwich Variations

• Try it toasted: When it comes to choosing bread for a chicken salad sandwich, there are two camps: the toasted bread camp and the camp of what we call “squishy” bread at my house. Throw your slices in the toaster for a little more crunch, if that’s your thing.
• Wrap it up: Whole wheat or flour tortillas are always fun options for an easy wrap. You can also go completely breadless and wrap your chicken salad in lettuce leaves.
• Add some avocado: Some avocado chunks in the salad—or a few slices with the lettuce—add the singular creamy avocado goodness.
• Top it with tomato: A fresh slice of juicy tomato is a welcome addition to any sandwich.
• Millions of mix-ins: This is a basic chicken salad recipe, meaning you are free to customize it however you’d like. Add apples or cranberries for a sweet surprise, or cucumbers and curry to spice it up. The options are endless, so let yourself get creative.

How to Store Chicken Salad

Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and prevent it from drying out. If you’ve already assembled the sandwiches, wrap them tightly in storage wrap or store them in a sealed container to maintain the bread’s texture.

How long do chicken salad sandwiches last?

The chicken salad lasts three to four days in the fridge when properly stored. For the best taste and texture, assembled sandwiches should be eaten within 24 hours.

Can you freeze chicken salad?

Freezing chicken salad isn’t recommended because the mayonnaise can separate, and the celery may lose its crunch. However, you can freeze cooked chicken and make the salad fresh as needed.

Chicken Salad Sandwich Tips

Christine Ma for Taste of Home

What’s the best way to cook chicken for chicken salad?

If you’re preparing chicken from scratch for your chicken salad, marinated grilled chicken, easy baked chicken and poached chicken are all great options.

How else can you use chicken salad?

Chicken salad is incredibly versatile! Serve it as a dip with crackers, pile it into a wrap or a hollowed-out tomato for a low-carb option, or spoon it over a bed of mixed greens for a hearty salad.

What can you serve with chicken salad sandwiches?

What can’t you serve with chicken salad sandwiches?! Air-fryer potato chips, french fries and a colorful chef’s salad all come readily to mind, but there is no wrong answer. Pair them with pickles or corn on the cob for a cookout. Or pack a picnic basket with fruit, cheese, olives, and dark chocolate and cut your sandwiches into cute little squares and triangles if you are out to impress. (And throw in a bottle of sauvignon blanc for me.)