Introduction
Oh, hey there, friend! You know those recipes that just instantly bring you back to cozy afternoons, maybe a picnic with grandma, or just a really good sandwich on a Tuesday? This Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken Salad is exactly that for me. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, and guess what? It’s ridiculously easy to whip up! Seriously, if you’ve got some cooked chicken hanging around and a few minutes, you’re practically there.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Easy: No fancy techniques needed, just a simple mix and serve.
- Giftable: Pack it up in a pretty jar, and it makes a wonderful contribution to potlucks or a thoughtful meal for a friend.
- Crowd-pleasing: Who doesn’t love a classic chicken salad? It’s a surefire hit for family gatherings and parties.
Ingredients
Let’s gather our simple treasures. These are the building blocks for pure comfort:
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded: I love using leftover rotisserie chicken for this – it’s already so flavorful and tender! You can also boil or bake your own chicken breasts.
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped celery: This gives us that delightful crunch we all crave. Make sure it’s chopped nice and fine so it distributes evenly.
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped: Another classic for creaminess and that familiar chicken salad texture. I always make a few extra eggs when I boil them – they’re just too handy!
- 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish: This is where the magic happens! It adds a touch of sweetness and tang that perfectly balances everything.
- 1 cup mayonnaise: Use your favorite kind! A good quality mayo makes all the difference.
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder: Just a hint for a subtle savory depth. We’re not going for overpowering onion here, just a whisper.
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice: Don’t toss that pickle juice! It adds a little extra zing and helps tie all those wonderful flavors together.
- Salt and pepper to taste: The final touch to make sure all the flavors sing.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this deliciousness made! It’s so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it every week.
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Combine everything: Grab a nice big bowl. Toss in your shredded cooked chicken, the finely chopped celery, your chopped hard-boiled eggs, the sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, onion powder, and that tablespoon of pickle juice. See? Easy peasy!
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Season with love: Now, season it with salt and pepper. Start with a little, you can always add more. Give it a little taste (go on, you deserve it!) and adjust if needed.
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Mix it all up: Gently but thoroughly mix everything together until all those ingredients are beautifully combined. You want every bite to have a little bit of everything!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to play around and make it your own:
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is my go-to, but cooked turkey works just as well!
- Crunch: If you love extra crunch, add in some finely diced red onion or a few chopped pecans.
- Creaminess: For an extra creamy texture, you can add a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt along with the mayonnaise.
- Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives adds a lovely pop of color and fresh flavor.
- Spice: For a little kick, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can be a game-changer.
Tips for Success
A few little pointers to ensure your chicken salad is absolutely perfect:
- Chicken Consistency: Make sure your chicken is well-shredded or finely diced. Chunky pieces can sometimes throw off the texture.
- Don’t Overmix: While you want everything combined, be gentle when mixing so you don’t mash up the eggs or chicken too much.
- Chill Time: For the best flavor, I highly recommend letting the chicken salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows all those wonderful flavors to meld together.
- Prep Ahead: You can cook and shred your chicken, and hard-boil your eggs a day or two in advance to make assembly even quicker!
How to Store It
Once your delicious chicken salad is ready, pop it into an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. It’s perfect for lunches throughout the week!
FAQs
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, you can! If using canned chicken, be sure to drain it very well and then shred or dice it for the best texture.
What are the best ways to serve chicken salad?
Oh, so many ways! Serve it on your favorite bread or croissants for a classic sandwich, scoop it into lettuce cups for a lighter option, serve it with crackers, or even pile it on top of a fresh salad.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken salad a day in advance. It often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.
Is this chicken salad spicy?
This traditional recipe is not spicy at all. The sweetness comes from the relish, and the flavor is mild and comforting. If you prefer a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce when mixing!
Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken Salad
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Airtight container for storage
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast shredded
- 3 tablespoons celery finely chopped
- 2 hard-boiled eggs chopped
- 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 cup mayonnaise your favorite kind
- 0.125 teaspoon onion powder just a hint
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine your shredded cooked chicken, finely chopped celery, chopped hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, onion powder, and pickle juice in a large bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a little and adjust as needed.
- Gently but thoroughly mix everything together until all ingredients are beautifully combined.