Pickle Substitutes To Use In Chicken Salad
If you don’t have any pickles on hand but still want to add some extra zesty flavor to your chicken salad, there are a couple of alternatives. Pickle juice adds both tanginess and saltiness to your recipe. Ingredients like green olives and capers are also packed in a vinegary, salty brine that could be used instead of pickle juice if you don’t have any on hand, and pepperoncini brine could be used if you want to add a spicy kick .
If you don’t have any of those, either, you might be able to get away with just adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar to the chicken salad. It will add a much-needed acidity to the recipe, and while neither are as flavorful as pickle brine, which is usually infused with spices, it’s still better than nothing at all.
Trust us once you’ve added pickle juice to your chicken salad, there’s no going back to the bland and boring stuff.
Chicken Salad With Herbs
Mackenzie Burgess Jump to Recipe
This Chicken Salad with Herbs is completely customizable. Choose any nuts, fruits, and fresh herbs to stir into the mix. This recipe is perfect for picnics, camping, or meal prep throughout the week.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own I never feature a brand that I dont love!See my disclosure policy for more details.
Create A Free Account To Save Recipes
Tips for Making Chicken Salad
- This recipe calls for almonds but you can use other types of nuts like pecans, walnuts, or cashews.
- Replace the mayo with pureed avocado and sour cream for an avocado chicken salad.
- Cut the calories in this recipe by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
- This recipe takes a total time of 5 minutes to throw together, but youll want to refrigerate it for at least an hour to give the flavors a chance to come together.
- Make BBQ chicken salad by adding 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce in place of some of the mayonnaise.
How to Store Chicken Salad
- Serve: Dont leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours for food safety.
- Store: Chicken salad will last refrigerated for 3-4 days, wrapped tightly with plastic wrap.
- Freeze: It is not recommended that you freeze chicken salad because the mayonnaise will separate when defrosting. You can freeze the cooked chicken, then just defrost it in the refrigerator the day before you want to make the salad, and add the other fresh ingredients the day of.
Pin this recipe now to remember it later
About the Author: Sabrina Snyder
Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.
Sabrina lives with her family in sunny California.
Also Check: Does Sizzler Have A Salad Bar
How To Make Chicken Salad Taste Better
The secret ingredient you should be adding to your chicken salad is pickle juice . You can add chopped pickles for extra tang and crunch, but if you like to keep things simple, just a splash or two of the pickle juice will do.
The tangy, salty pickle brine cuts through the fatty mayo, bringing a zing to a chicken salad that is usually lacking in flavor. You might want to make sure you’re using juice from pickles brined in a vinegar and salt solution, rather than ones that are fermented naturally, because that vinegary tang is the flavor you’re looking for.
If you’ve ever had chicken salad with grapes or nuts in it, then you get the general idea. All of that mayo and soft chicken just needs something different to liven things up. The bites of cool, crunchy pickle contrast with the creamy chicken in both flavor and texture, and it’s that contrast that keeps you going back for more.
What Goes Into Chicken Salad
The great thing about chicken salad is that it can be changed up based on whats in your fridge! Keep the ratios the same as the recipe below but swap out the add ins and seasonings
You May Like: Joseph Joseph Salad Bowl With Servers
You May Like: Does Arby’s Have Chicken Salad Sandwiches
How To Make Homemade Chicken Salt
Homemade chicken salt is a seasoning that is used to enhance the flavor of foods. Its a good way to add flavor to chicken. Chicken salt is easy to make. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 1 teaspoon of celery salt with 1 cup of chicken stock. This recipe can be used to season various meats, including chicken. Chicken salt can also be used to enhance flavor in many other dishes, such as soups and stews. Homemade chicken salt can be used to season chicken dishes.
Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
This easy chicken salad recipe with grapes makes the best chicken salad sandwiches! Ive been making this healthy chicken salad recipe for years. Its great for make ahead lunches!
When your days are busy, it can be hard to find the time to prepare lunch. Thats why I like recipes that I can prep once and then eat for a couple of days.
This chicken salad is one of my favorite make ahead lunch recipes. It keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days. You can serve it on bread or croissants as a sandwich, or with some lettuce. I often add avocado its so good!
I rarely order chicken salad at a restaurant because I dont care for the mayo-laden chicken salad that is often served. My homemade version is fresh, light and made without mayo. I use plain Greek yogurt as the creamy base for my chicken salad dressing. If this sounds strange to you, I promise that your chicken salad wont taste like yogurt!
Recommended Reading: Resers Amish Macaroni Salad
Also Check: How To Make Simple Egg Salad
Can I Use Something Besides Pickle Relish
The pickle relish in this recipe provides a lot of flavor, thanks to the sweetness and tartness of the pickle brine.
I do recommend you use sweet relish, not dill pickle relish. You can also dice up some sweet pickles if you dont have any relish on hand.
And I bet some sweet and spicy pepper jelly used in place of the relish would be pretty tasty.
Customize It Your Way
Like all of my recipes, this healthy chicken salad recipe is completely customizable. Heres the general template to follow:
- Add creaminess You can use either plain greek yogurt or light mayo. Greek yogurt will be much higher in protein but light mayo is still a good, lower fat option.
- Add nuts You can use any nuts of your choice but ones that typically go best with chicken salad are walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, or pine nuts.
- Add fruit Fruit adds a touch of sweetness and extra crunch to the chicken salad. You can use halved grapes, chopped apples, dried cranberries, orange slices, blueberries, or really any other fruit you like.
- Add herbs Dont skip out on the fresh herbs! They add loads of flavor. You can use any fresh herbs youd like, but I have a few suggestions below.
Read Also: Vintage Wooden Salad Bowl Set
What Herbs Go Well With Chicken
HERBS: basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano
SPICES: garlic powder, onion powder, salt
HEAT: paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper
A delicious mixture of these three categories and you have a delicious seasoning blend. Make it your own by using smoked paprika instead of regular, adding different herbs, upping the heat with more cayenne.
You are not limited to using it in chicken recipes, think of how good it tastes on grilled and roasted vegetables!!
Cook Chicken In One Of Two Ways
Method 1: Grill Pan or Skillet: Heat the grill pan on medium-high heat. When hot, place chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes on ‘each’ side, flipping halfway through, or till chicken is cooked through .
Method 2: Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 10 minutes.
Flip the chicken and cook another 2-3 minutes until the chicken reads an internal temperature of 165°F. Rest the chicken while you prepare the salad .
Also Check: Easy Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
How Long Does Chicken Salad Last
In the Refrigerator? This recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply store in an airtight container. Refrigerate right after serving.
Left Out at Room Temperature? For food safety, I like to stick to what the FDA advisesthe two-hour rule.which applies since this recipe has chicken and mayonnaise, you should not leave this out at room temperature for any longer than two hours.
Left Out at Picnic or Potluck? If you are serving this at a summer event and the temperature is warmer, you should be extra careful to refrigerate as soon as possible. Again, I look to the FDA for their safety rule. If the outside temperature is above 90 degrees, the two-hour rule becomes ONE hour.
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad
Sadly, mayonnaise doesnt freeze well and thats the base for the dressing in this recipe. If youd like ready to go chicken salad, Id suggest finely chopping the chicken and seasonings .
Freeze the diced chicken in single serving portions. When youd like a salad, just combine the chicken and seasonings with mayonnaise and any extra add ins.
Also Check: Chicken Salad Chick Starkville Ms
How To Make Poached Chicken
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Poached Chicken is loaded with flavor and takes just minutes to make!
If you need flavorful and tender cooked chicken breasts, this is the perfect recipe.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts are gently poached with fresh herbs and a touch of broth for the perfect juicy chicken to add to any recipe!
Poached chicken is my go to for quick and easy chicken breasts. They come out incredibly juicy and moist while taking very little effort.
I start with fresh chicken breasts and always make a few more than I need because this chicken is not only amazing, it lasts for a few days in the fridge and freezes perfectly.
Please keep in mind that this recipe is for cooking perfect tender boneless chicken breasts. If youre thinking of poaching a whole chicken, Id suggest trying Boiled Chicken for incredible results !
Can Salad Be Frozen
We dont recommend freezing the chicken salad. But what we do recommend is freezing the cooked chicken. If you have leftover cooked chicken, simply chop up the chicken and put in a freezer back.
Then it is easy to pull out the frozen chicken and let it thaw to follow the steps to make chicken salad. Learn more on our Can You Freeze Chicken Salad? post.
Read Also: Apple Cider Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Read Also: What Salad Vegetables Are Keto Friendly
Flavor Combinations To Jazz Up Store
Here are a few simple suggestions to get you started.
- Bacon Ranch: Ranch dressing mix, sour cream, bacon
- Simple Seasonal Garden: Peas, dill pickle juice, red onions
- Hawaiian-Style: Pineapple, macadamia nuts, coconut
- South of the Border: Pickled jalapenos, corn, Cotija cheese
- Straight from India: Curry powder, mango chutney, raisins
- Dilly-o: Dill pickles, green onions, hard-boiled eggs
What Goes With Chicken Salad
If youre looking to make a meal out of chicken salad, consider serving it as part of a salad plate with a scoop of pimento cheese and a scoop of tuna salad.
It can be served on a sandwich, on soft broad or toasted, or on top of a green salad. You may also enjoy a side of fruit or fruit salad with chicken salad.
For a filling lunch, make your own restaurant-style pick two combo with a cup of soup and a chicken salad sandwich.
Read Also: Salad Portion Size For Weight Loss
Chicken Salad With Walnuts And Grapes
Grapes, walnuts, and chicken come together in a creamy mayo-sour cream dressing. Toss this tasty salad in 20 minutes and serve it on bread, lettuce leaves, or with mixed greens with slices of avocado. It makes a great last-minute lunch if you have leftover chicken or turkey. Add radicchio for a pungent crunch, or use crushed roasted seaweed for a salty and crunchy texture.
How To Serve Chicken Salad
This salad can be served as a side salad or as a main course. We love to serve it for lunch because its easy to turn it into a meal.
- Over Mixed Greens place your favorite greens such as arugula or mixed salad greens into a large bowl, top with the chicken salad, and serve.
- Lettuce Cups serving in lettuce cups is a great low-carb option for lunch.
- Croissant Sandwiches Cut the croissant in half without cutting all the way through then fill it with the salad. It tastes like a bakery-quality sandwich.
- Pita Bread we love to stuff a pita with chicken salad, its so simple and good.
Pro Tip: The best way to reheat a croissant is to toast it in an air fryer at 350F for 3 minutes until its lightly crisp on the outside and warmed through. This is what we do with store-bought croissants and they taste like they just came out of a bakery oven.
Also Check: Wooden Salad Bowl Serving Set
Don’t Miss: Sugar Free Sodium Free Salad Dressing
Make Chicken Salad Again And Again With These Kitchenware Essentials
Stir together gently
Until everything is thoroughly coated.
Now, if youre feeling particularly naughty and saucy and feisty, please sprinkle in some homemade OR, in my case, STOREBOUGHT bacon bits. Again, dont overdo itjust a little bacon flavor will do.
Now, I have fried up thick, peppered bacon, chopped it fine, and sprinkled it in the chicken salad before, and it was almost too delicious for me to bear. So try that sometimebut enter at your own risk.
Now, taste it, salt it, pepper it, add more dillwhatever you need to do to make it perfect. Just remember to fold/stir gently throughout this process.
And when youre finished, do this! Because Martha might be watching.
Now, just allow the chicken salad to chill several hours or even overnightlong enough for the flavors to really meld.
Then, when youre ready, just serve the chicken salad on a bed of lettuceor in hollowed-out heads of cabbage, or hollowed-out bell peppersor put it on English Muffins, top with cheese, and broilor stir in with shell pasta for chicken pasta salad. Yum.
Or! If youre me, you can do this:
Grainy wheat bread.
Toasted. And did you know Id been married nine years before I even owned a toaster? True story.
Honey mustard.
Baby Spinach. And plenty of it.
Chicken salad
Chicken Salad With Apples And Cranberries
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Chopped walnuts or pecans and chunks of apples and cranberries add crunch and texture to this savory-sweet chicken salad. Curry powder and lemon juice form a tangy mayo-based dressing. Make it lighter by skipping the mayo and using only olive oil as a binder. Serve it in ciabatta bread as a sandwich, or on flour or cauliflower tortillas with sesame seeds on top.
Read Also: Mikasa Garden Harvest Salad Plate
Ingredients In Chicken Salad
Chicken:
- Use leftovers from last nights dinner or leftover rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken.
- To Make Chicken for chicken salad I like to use either poached chicken or baked chicken breasts or thighs.
- You can use canned chicken in a pinch but of course fresh is best when possible.
- Ensure the chicken is cooled and shred or chop the chicken into bite sized pieces.
Add-ins:
- As this is a classic chicken salad recipe, Ive kept the additions to a minimum. Celery for crunch, green onions for flavor.
- This recipe can be made with a variety of nuts, veggies, and fruit for added flavor and texture.
- Chicken salad with grapes, avocado or dried cranberries is a favorite. Pecans or almonds pair well with this recipe.
Dressing:
- Mayonnaise is the base of this recipe and its simply seasoned.
- You can get creative and substitute some of the mayo for ranch dressing or your favorite salad dressing recipe.
- Create an Avocado Chicken Salad by replacing some of the mayonnaise with mashed avocado.
Other Additions To Chicken Salad:
I like the recipe as-is, but feel free to jazz it up with any/all of these ingredients.
- Slivered or sliced almonds for some crunch
- A splash of pickle juice and/or chopped pickles or relish
- Hot sauce for a kick
- Cooked and crumbled bacon
- Fresh herbs: try replacing the red onion with chives, and finely chopped tarragon would be delicious in here
Donât Miss: Dressing For Potato Salad With Mayo
Recommended Reading: Best Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
How To Make The Best Chicken Salad Recipe
If youre starting with rotisserie chicken, this recipe comes together in about 10 minutes no cooking required!
Can I Serve Chicken Salad Immediately After Making
You can definitely serve this/eat it right after mixing up all the ingredients. With that being said, I do typically like to wait at least a few hours to let everything really combine and mix together.
Id say if you can try to make a batch the night before you want to eat it for the best results. If you really just cant wait then feel free to dig in immediately!
You can keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before it goes bad.
Recommended Reading: Hawaiian Bros Macaroni Salad Recipe