A savory chicken salad is the only chicken salad my family will eat. No fruit, no nuts!
We are not fans of the typically sweet, fruity, nutty chicken salad. Nor do we like boiled eggs and sweet pickle relish in our chicken salad.
So I’ve always just made my own version.
The crunch in our savory chicken salad comes from celery. If you’re not a celery fan then this chicken salad is not for you.
With that said, I am supremely confident if you give this easy chicken salad recipe a whirl.
You won’t be disappointed, and man, it makes a great chicken salad sandwich!
How To Make Chicken Salad Video
How To Make A Savory Chicken Salad
Debone a whole cooked chicken. Store-bought rotisserie chicken is perfect for this chicken salad.
Or make this Slow Cooker Roasted Chicken. You can also poach or roast a couple of chicken breasts.
I despise shredding meat. The easiest way I’ve found to shred chicken is with an electric mixer.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, mayo, black pepper, salt, celery salt, dried dill, and dried parsley.
Cover and refrigerate at least one hour.
Serve on your favorite sandwich bread, crackers or just a bed of lettuce.
If you’re like us and prefer a less sweet chicken salad you are going to love this great recipe.
This makes a perfect chicken salad sandwich and is a great addition to all of your chicken salad recipes.
UPDATE: Several readers stated this is too salty.
I just made this with 1/2 teaspoon celery salt and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. When I asked my husband what he thought he said: “It needs salt”.
So start with 1/2 the celery salt and kosher salt called for in the recipe and then adjust to your taste.
Also, this recipe uses kosher salt, not table salt. There is a difference. A teaspoon of flaky kosher salt delivers less salty flavor than a teaspoon of table salt, which is more compact.
Savory Chicken Salad Recipe
Smoked Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups smoked chicken, chopped or minced
- 3/4 cup celery, diced small
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley optional
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor add a mix of breast and thigh meat, pulse a few times until the meat is chopped fine.
- Measure 3 cups of chopped chicken into a large bowl. Add the finely chopped celery. If desired add 2 or 3 diced green onions.
- In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, celery salt, dried dill, dried parsley, smoked paprika, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken and celery and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Comments
Lindsay
May 23, 2017I can’t wait to try this recipe. This would be a great easy recipe for summer.
DSTR
May 23, 2017Thanks, Lindsay! I hope you enjoy it.
Patricia Keith
July 20, 2018For us onion lovers, I added some fine chopped red onions to this recipe! Adjust amount to your liking. Yummy!
Susan @ Culinary Envy
May 24, 2017I love chicken salad and this sandwich looks amazing! I will take one to go please.
Laurie
May 24, 2017Leigh, I love chicken salad, but for some reason I never make it myself. I’m looking forward to trying your recipe! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Brag About It! Have a super rest of the week!
DSTR
May 24, 2017Thank you, Laurie!
April J Harris
May 25, 2017This is a lovely recipe, Leigh. I like all kinds of chicken salads, but I prefer the ones that are not too sweet so this is perfect for me. Scheduled to pin and will share on the new look Hearth and Soul Facebook page. Thank you for being a part of Hearth and Soul.
DSTR
May 28, 2017Thank you, April!
Emily
March 26, 2020My husband and daughter LOVE this recipe! I too cut back on both salts and add some onion because they are onion lovers. This is my go to chicken salad recipe! Thanks.
Emily
May 27, 2017Yum!! I’m always looking for lunch ideas – this would be perfect 🙂 Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday this week! I’ll be featuring your recipe at our next party 🙂
DSTR
May 28, 2017Thank you so much, Emily! Looking forward to next week! 🙂
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Beverly
May 28, 2017I haven’t had a good chicken salad sandwich in a long time. Your recipe is going on my to make list! I’ll be featuring this at this week’s Brag About It Party. Thanks for sharing at the party!
DSTR
May 30, 2017Thank you so much, Beverly!
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Miz Helen
May 30, 2017Your Chicken Salad looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday! Hope you are having a great week and come back to see us real soon.
Miz Helen
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Gloria
July 14, 2017I made this & love it! But I would use maybe half the amount of salt called for. I’m salt lover and this was too salty.
DSTR
July 14, 2017Thanks, Gloria! We’re so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Salt tip noted. 🙂
Barbara Grossman
July 1, 2018I agree on the salty issue ! As I was adding the celery salt … I thoughtb. “Uh oh !!!” Would eliminate the Kosher salt next time … Otherwise …GREAT RECIPE … Thanks !
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Heather Johnson
August 14, 2017I made this yesterday – LOVE IT!! It’s exactly how I like it!!! I didn’t have any celery salt so I left that out and it’s fine. Love it!!! Thank you!
DSTR
August 14, 2017I’m so glad you like it!!!! Thank you so much for coming by to let us know 🙂
Wendy coffman
November 19, 2017My recipe is a lot like this one. The difference is instead of dried parsley I use dried basil and I use celery seed instead of celery salt.
joyce coley
April 9, 2018this is a real chicken salad recipe WITHOUT FRUIT OR NUTS. I will make but with less celery.
Bonnie D.
June 23, 2018Loved it!!! So good!!! Thank you!!!
Alyssa
June 25, 2018About how many sandwiches does this make?
DSTR
June 26, 2018Hi, Alyssa! I would say about 4 healthy stuffed sandwiches. Thanks for coming by!
Coena Harris
September 3, 2018This is great. That is my
Dad’s chicken salad recipe. It is great that you posted it. Sometimes I add a tbsp of minced shallot and or green pepper if I have some around. I think that this is what chicken salad is “supposed” to taste like.👍
DSTR
September 3, 2018We’re glad you liked it, Coena. Thanks!
Emily
March 26, 2020My husband and daughter LOVE this recipe! I too cut back on both salts and add some onion because they are onion lovers. This is my go to chicken salad recipe! Thanks.
Diane
October 12, 2018I have made this 3 times and I love it! Didn’t think I would like it without a sweet factor but the dill and celery salt is perfect. Thanks for sharing and showing me another way.
DSTR
October 13, 2018Hi, Diane. We are so happy to hear you like the recipe! Thank you so much for coming by and sharing with us.
Eleanor L Corns
November 10, 2018I like the recipe very much but I use dill relish in place of dill salt .I actually use twice the amount of celery that you use . I like it real crunchy .Thanks for sharing .
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Tiffany
March 10, 2019Can you use miracle whip instead of mayo
DSTR
March 11, 2019You can but the salad will be more sweet than savory.
Hailey
March 11, 2019Hi! How long could you keep this in an airtight container?
DSTR
March 12, 2019About 3-5 days.
Teedoubleyou
March 14, 2019First time I used the celery salt and the kosher salt, and it about knocked us out… all we could taste was salt.. but this time I just used celery seed and kosher salt, (not quite 1/2 tsp) and it was the best chicken salad I have ever put in my mouth!! Hubby approved!
Stephanie Gray
March 24, 2019Really tasty chicken salad! Just made it for second time! I used 1/2 tsp celery salt and cut back on kosher salt as well. Added basil And a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Ray
April 22, 2019I add a squirt of brown mustard and 2 shakes of worstershire sauce, less salt and it was very good on pumpernickel rolls
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Terri
June 14, 2020I, too, found it much too salty. I made a double batch, using 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and omitted the celery salt, and I still found it too salty. And I’m the one the kids say should cut back on salt consumption! So go easy on the salt if you try this. Otherwise, a good recipe.