Food and Recipes Meat Chicken 14 Easy Chicken Salad Recipes That'll Be Instant Classics Add fun and flavor to your meal with these quick and easy twists on classic chicken salad. By Southern Living Editors Updated on April 21, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Chicken salad is one of those dishes that has been a staple in our cooking repertoire for years. It's just as elegant as it is simple—the perfect dish to throw together for last-minute dinner party appetizer or a relaxing lunch at home. You can serve it in a sandwich or a wrap, in lettuce cups or tarts, or all on its own. No matter how you serve chicken salad, it's guaranteed to be delicious. From the creamy classics, like Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad, to deliciously spiced takes on the dish, like Curry Chicken Salad, our favorite chicken salad recipes offer something for everyone. Plus, chicken salad can be made ahead of time—and any leftovers will be fantastic meal prep for the busy week ahead. 01 of 14 Tarragon Chicken Salad Jennifer Davick Recipe: Tarragon Chicken Salad With bright lemon and earthy tarragon, this light Tarragon Chicken Salad is perfect for your springtime ladies' luncheon. 02 of 14 Curry Chicken Salad Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Treat your traditional chicken salad to a layer of earthy warmth with the addition of curry powder, which also gives this twist on the dish its inviting yellow hue. Serve it on lettuce for an extra fresh crunch. 03 of 14 Cranberry Chicken Salad Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad You can make this chicken salad year-round, but it'll make the ideal main dish for your casual holiday brunch menu. We love the tangy notes brought to the table with the addition of Dijon mustard in the dressing, and you can never go wrong with opting for a rotisserie chicken. 04 of 14 Persian Salad Olivieh (Persian Chicken Salad) Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Consider this the ultimate comfort-food mash-up: Salad Olivieh, traditionally served during the celebration of the Persian New Year, combines the flavors of chicken, potato, and egg salads for a sturdy and satisfying dish. Thinly sliced radishes on top lend a peppery finish. 05 of 14 Chicken Salad With Grapes and Pecans Will Dickey Recipe: Chicken Salad With Grapes and Pecans If you're tired of the same ol' chicken salad recipe, add a bit of juicy flavor and nutty crunch with pecans and grapes. 06 of 14 Homemade Chicken Salad Southern Living Recipe: Homemade Chicken Salad The ingredient list is simple, but effective. Thyme will be the unlikely hero, adding a touch of fresh herby flavor that really sings when you add a dash of lemon juice to the mix. 07 of 14 Hot Chicken Salad with Potato Chip Crust Sheri Castle Recipe: Hot Chicken Salad with Potato Chip Crust Now here's a blast from the past. Our Hot Chicken Salad with Potato Chip Crust is the retro recipe your grown-up dinnertime needs. Swap in rotisserie chicken if you're looking to serve up this casserole in a flash. 08 of 14 Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad Southern Living Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad This classic chicken salad recipe combines all your favorite components, from celery to lemon juice to mayo. It's packed full with the nostalgic flavors of Grandma's kitchen. 09 of 14 Jellied Chicken Salad Jennifer Causey Recipe: Jellied Chicken Salad This retro Jellied Chicken Salad is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday dinner spread. It's a great way to incorporate leftover ingredients into one stunning dish. 10 of 14 Hot Chicken Salad Recipe: Hot Chicken Salad The combination of pimentos, Cheddar cheese, water chestnuts, and a potato chip crust give this unconventional baked chicken salad nice layers of texture and flavor. It'll be your new go-to party dish, as it can be enjoyed as a dip or all on its own. 11 of 14 Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes In the heat of summer, there's nothing better than fresh tomatoes. Why not stuff those farmers' market tomatoes with chicken salad for an extra-refreshing meal? 12 of 14 The Greenbrier's Chicken Salad The Greenbrier Recipe: The Greenbrier's Chicken Salad You can now make the Greenbrier's famed chicken salad at home with this recipe, also known as Dorothy Draper's Chicken Salad. 13 of 14 Chicken Salad MyRecipes Recipe: Chicken Salad Don't let the simple name fool you. Loaded with red and yellow bell peppers, red onions, water chestnuts, and diced celery, this salad is full of original flavor and a powerful crunch. 14 of 14 Chicken Salad Tarts Jennifer Davick Recipe: Chicken Salad Tarts This classic, bite-sized appetizer will be ready in a pinch, and it'll be the fan-favorite at your next cocktail party. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit