Classic Chicken Salad recipe with rotisserie chicken, fresh dill, celery, mayo and Greek yogurt. Protein forward, creamy and flavor-packed. Serve in croissants, lettuce cups or with crackers for a quick lunch or light summer meal.
This classic Chicken Salad Sandwich is creamy, flavorful and loaded with tender rotisserie chicken, crunchy celery, fresh dill, a squeeze of lemon juice and just the right amount of mayo.
I serve it up on buttery croissants for a laid back, no-cook dinner or easy lunch that feels elevated without the extra work.
Why this recipe checks all the boxes:
- It starts with a rotisserie chicken and just a few other simple ingredients.
- One of my favorite ways to turn a rotisserie chicken into something special.
- It’s easily scalable – perfect for a quick lunch, potlucks or weekneasy dinner on a busy day.
- Absolutely no cooking at all.
Ingredients needed to make Classic Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, finely diced or shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (or add 2 more tablespoons mayo)
- 1 rib celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt plus additional salt to taste
- Pinch black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice plus more to taste
Optional ingredients ideas to add:
A couple of added ingredients are delicious but too many will overpower the classic chicken salad flavor.
- dijon mustard
- red grapes
- nuts: pecans, walnuts or almonds are all good choices.
- other fresh herbs like chives, fresh parsley or green onion
- fruit and veggies: diced apples, dried cranberries tomato or avocado slices
How to make a Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich:
To a large bowl, add the diced rotisserie chicken, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, celery, red onion, fresh dill, salt, black pepper and lemon juice.
Stir until everything is evenly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper or lemon juice as needed.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can blend together.
Serve on flaky croissants with lettuce and tomatoes or enjoy it as lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
What’s the secret that makes this Chicken Salad taste better?
The two ‘secret’ ingredients that set this recipe apart are fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon juice. The dill gives the salad bright herb flavor. The pop of lemon juice brings the flavors together and keeps the mayo from feeling too rich or heavy.
Tips for the best Chicken Salad:
Finely dice the chicken
Finely dice chicken for the best texture. Every bite feels balanced and creamy instead of chunky.
Don’t skip the celery
Celery adds the perfect crunch and keeps the chicken salad from feeling too soft.
Chill before serving
Refrigerating the salad for 30 minute helps the flavors develop.
Use rotisserie chicken
Rotisserie chicken not only makes this recipe even easier but adds tons of extra flavor.
I use both the white and dark meat, but use whatever you prefer. You can also use leftover chicken or my juicy air fryer chicken breast recipe.
Don’t overmix
Mix just until combined. Too much stirring can break down the ingredients and make the salad mushy.
Taste and adjust seasonings
Chicken salad needs enough salt, black pepper and lemon juice to bring out the flavor. Before serving give it a taste and adjust if needed.
Storage and make-ahead options:
Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Ideal for entertaining and meal prep easy lunches because you can make it a full day ahead and assemble the croissant sandwiches just before eating.
Subs and variations:
Make it lighter
Swap half of the mayo for plain Greek yogurt or light mayo.
Add sweetness or crunch
Red grapes or diced apples add a sweet contrast to the savory chicken salad. Pecans, walnuts or almonds give the salad extra texture.
What to Serve with Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Dill pickles
- Lemonade
- Fresh fruit
- Potato chips
- Pasta salad
- Simple green salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after chilling in the refrigerator for a few hours.
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes but rotisserie chicken gives the best flavor and texture.
What’s the best bread for chicken salad sandwiches?
Croissants are my favorite because they’re soft, buttery and pair perfectly with the creamy filling.
Can I freeze chicken salad?
Not recommended. Mayo-based salads don’t hold up in the freezer.
More easy summer recipes:
- Pesto Chicken Sandwich
- Pressed Roast Beef Sandwich (No Panini Maker Needed)
- Copycat Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
- BLT Salad
Full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Enjoy!
Classic Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken diced or shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or more to taste
- 1 rib celery finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons red onion minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice or more to taste
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add the diced rotisserie chicken, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, celery, red onion, fresh dill, salt, black pepper and lemon juice.
- Stir until everything is evenly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper or lemon juice as needed.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can blend together. Serve on flaky croissants with lettuce and tomatoes or enjoy it as lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
Notes
- dijon mustard
- red grapes
- nuts: pecans, walnuts or almonds are all good choices.
- other fresh herbs like chives, fresh parsley or green onion
- fruit and veggies: diced apples, dried cranberries tomato or avocado slices