15 Delicious Chicken Salad Recipes for Every Occasion

Creamy, tangy, and spicy variations promise to elevate your next lunch or picnic.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 18, 2025

Creamy, tangy, and spicy variations promise to elevate your next lunch or picnic.

When it comes to easy lunches, satisfying meal prep, or light dinners, chicken salad is a classic favorite that never fails. Whether you crave the creamy, comforting flavors of the original, or want to spice things up with Tex-Mex, curry, or barbecue twists, there’s a chicken salad for every palate. We’ve rounded up 15 irresistible chicken salad recipes inspired by The Pioneer Woman that are perfect for sandwiches, picnic lunches, or as hearty salad bowls.

1. The Classic Chicken Salad

This timeless chicken salad offers a harmonious blend of tender poached chicken, creamy mayonnaise and yogurt, crisp celery, juicy grapes, slivered almonds, and fresh dill. It’s a crowd-pleaser—delicious served on a bed of greens, in sandwiches, or with crackers.

Poached chicken (or rotisserie for convenience)
Celery for crunch
Grapes for sweetness
Almonds and fresh herbs for flavor
Mayonnaise and plain yogurt for creaminess

Chill before serving for the best flavor and texture.

2. Cowgirl Chicken Salad

Inspired by Cowboy Caviar, this Tex-Mex salad pairs grilled chicken with vibrant flavors. Key highlights:

Grilled chicken breast, charred and juicy
Black beans, corn, bell peppers, and red onion
Pepper Jack or cheddar cheese for richness
Cilantro and lime for a fresh finish
Barbecue sauce and mayonnaise for tangy creaminess

This salad is perfect on tortilla chips, in wraps, or over fresh greens. Great for meal prep and gatherings.

3. Curried Chicken Salad

Taste a hint of the exotic with curry-spiced chicken salad. A dash of curry powder coats your chicken, which is then tossed with:

Golden raisins for sweetness
Cilantro for a burst of freshness
Crunchy celery
Slivered almonds for nutty texture
Creamy dressing with curry and yogurt

Serve on croissants or lettuce leaves for a unique, globally inspired lunch.

4. Barbecue Chicken Salad

This southern-inspired salad isn’t your standard chicken salad. Grilled, bone-in, skin-on chicken is tossed in a sweet and tangy blend of apricot preserves and barbecue sauce before being served over crunchy greens.

Bone-in, grilled chicken for smoky depth
Apricot preserves and BBQ sauce for sticky-sweet flavor
Vegetables for crunch: lettuce, cucumber, red onion, and tomatoes

It’s a hearty salad that’s perfect for summer picnics and backyard barbecues.

5. Chicken Salad with Quick-Pickled Apples

Elevate your salad with quick-pickled apples. Diced apples are briefly pickled in apple cider vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt, then tossed with chicken and crunchy nuts for a sweet-tart flavor hit. This recipe brings unexpected brightness to every bite.

6. Green Goddess Chicken Salad

This salad gets its vibrant green hue from a creamy dressing blended with spinach, basil, parsley, and a touch of lemon.

Rotisserie chicken for convenience
Green grapes and cucumbers add freshness
Walnuts for crunch
Green Goddess dressing—mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, spinach, herbs, and lemon zest

Serve in lettuce wraps, on bread, or as a light lunch bowl.

7. Cobb Chicken Salad

Cobb salad meets chicken salad in this protein-packed bowl:

Sliced or shredded chicken
Crispy bacon, blue cheese, avocado, tomatoes, and hard-boiled eggs
Classic Cobb dressing or your favorite vinaigrette

Layer on a platter for a beautiful presentation.

8. Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad

Turn up the heat with a buffalo chicken salad that’s a game-day favorite:

Diced or shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce
Crisp celery, carrots, and red onion
Blue cheese or ranch dressing for cool contrast

Enjoy as a salad, in a wrap, or stuffed in pita bread.

9. Summer Chicken Salad with Blueberries and Corn

Celebrate summer’s bounty with a light, fruity chicken salad that impresses at every picnic. Ingredients include:

Grilled chicken breasts, cooled and chopped
Fresh corn kernels—grilled or raw for crunchy sweetness
Blueberries for a juicy pop
Celery, red onion, and fresh dill
Feta cheese for tang
Creamy dressing of mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, and a hint of sugar

Serve over butter lettuce leaves.

10. Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

Cranberries and toasted pecans add festive flair and nutty richness to a classic chicken salad base—perfect for holiday lunches or potlucks.

Diced or shredded chicken
Chopped celery and red grapes
Dried cranberries
Toasted pecans
Creamy mayonnaise-yogurt dressing, brightened with lemon

11. Avocado Chicken Salad

A healthy chicken salad option that skips mayo for creamy avocado:

Shredded chicken
Avocado mashed with lime juice
Red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeño for zip

Enjoy inside lettuce wraps or whole-grain sandwiches.

12. Greek Chicken Salad

This Mediterranean-inspired chicken salad features:

Chicken seasoned with oregano, lemon, and olive oil
Cucumber, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and red onion
Crumbled feta cheese and a simple lemon vinaigrette

Serve over romaine for a nourishing bowl or stuff into pitas.

13. Tarragon Chicken Salad

Bright and herbaceous, this chicken salad combines:

Diced chicken (poached or roasted)
Chopped fresh tarragon
Celery and scallions for texture
Mayonnaise and lemon juice for creaminess

Perfect for tea sandwiches or croissant fillings.

14. Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad

Enjoy the crunch and flavors of an Asian-inspired chicken salad:

Shredded chicken breast
Julienned carrots, red bell pepper, shredded cabbage
Toasted almonds or peanuts
Sesame-ginger dressing: mayonnaise, rice vinegar, soy sauce, grated ginger, a touch of honey

Top with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro for a bright finish.

15. Chicken Caesar Salad

Bring bold Caesar flavors to your chicken salad:

Grilled or roasted chicken, chopped
Chopped romaine lettuce
Parmesan cheese
Homemade or jarred Caesar dressing
Crunchy croutons, either as topping or mixed in

Serve as a main-dish salad, a sandwich filling, or in lettuce wraps.

Table: Quick Comparison of Chicken Salad Types

Recipe	Main Flavor Profile	Key Ingredients
Classic	Creamy, mild	Chicken, mayo, grapes
Cowgirl	Tex-Mex, savory	Grilled chicken, BBQ, black beans
Curried	Spicy, sweet	Curry powder, raisins, almonds
Barbecue	Smoky, sweet	Grilled chicken, apricot, BBQ sauce
Pickled Apple	Sweet-tart	Pickled apples, nuts
Green Goddess	Herbaceous	Spinach, basil, parsley
Cobb	Rich, protein-packed	Bacon, blue cheese, eggs
Buffalo Ranch	Spicy, tangy	Buffalo sauce, ranch, celery
Summer	Fresh, fruity	Blueberries, corn, dill
Cranberry Pecan	Nutty, sweet-tart	Cranberries, pecans
Avocado	Fresh, creamy	Avocado, lime, cilantro
Greek	Briny, zesty	Olives, feta, lemon
Tarragon	Herbaceous, bright	Tarragon, scallion
Asian-Inspired	Savory, crisp	Cabbage, sesame, ginger
Caesar	Rich, umami	Romaine, Caesar dressing

Tips for the Best Chicken Salad

Use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for quick salads.
Poach your own chicken for the most tender and juicy bite.
Try different mix-ins: dried fruits, toasted nuts, or fresh herbs customize the flavor.
Chill your salad for at least an hour before serving for best flavor integration.
Use high-quality mayonnaise or try half Greek yogurt to reduce fat and add tanginess.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to cook chicken for chicken salad?

Poaching chicken in salted water with aromatics yields moist, tender meat. Alternatively, use grilled or rotisserie chicken for added flavor and convenience.

How long does chicken salad last in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, homemade chicken salad is best enjoyed within 3–4 days. Refrigerate promptly and stir before serving.

Can chicken salad be made ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, the flavors improve after chilling. Make up to a day ahead; just wait to add crunchy mix-ins (like nuts or croutons) until serving to keep them crisp.

What’s a healthy substitute for mayo in chicken salad?

Use Greek yogurt, mashed avocado, or a light vinaigrette to cut calories and add extra nutrition.

Which bread or wrap pairs best with chicken salad?

Croissants and toasted sourdough make rich, satisfying sandwiches, while lettuce wraps and whole-wheat tortillas keep it light and wholesome.

Creative Serving Suggestions

Spoon salad onto croissants or pita for grab-and-go sandwiches.
Serve atop mixed greens or butter lettuce for a low-carb salad bowl.
Fill bell pepper halves or large tomato cups for an elegant brunch appetizer.
Scoop up Tex-Mex or barbecue variations with tortilla chips for a party snack.

Chicken Salad Meal Prep & Storage

Portion chicken salad into individual airtight containers for easy, protein-rich lunches all week. Add fresh greens or crackers just before serving to keep textures crisp.

Upgrade Your Lunch with Chicken Salad

From classic comfort to globally inspired twists, these chicken salad recipes prove how versatile, vibrant, and easy-to-make this dish can be. Try a new variation every week and discover your family’s next lunchtime favorite!

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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