Chicken Mayo Salad Recipe

You can use these easy chicken salad recipe ingredients to make a Chicken Mayo Sandwich. Or serve it over a bun or wrap it in a tortilla. It is the best summer salad recipe.

This chicken and mayonnaise salad is packed with all the addictive flavors. Lemon juice gives refreshing flavors; red pepper flakes add a spicy kick, and honey balances both the tangy and spicy flavors.

About this recipe

The addition of Greek yogurt adds a healthy twist to this recipe. I have replaced half of the mayonnaise with Greek Yogurt to make this salad healthier. Greek Yogurt adds perfect creaminess and flavor to the salad.

• Quick & easy to make: Toss the diced chicken with the other salad ingredients. This chicken salad comes together in just 15 minutes.
• Nutritious: It’s packed with nutritious ingredients: chicken for protein, fresh vegetables for fiber, almonds for healthy fats, and Greek yogurt for calcium.
• Easy to customize: Please check the ingredient notes below for swaps and substitutions. This recipe is very versatile. You can add or skip ingredients based on your preference.
• Great for Meal Prep: Chop the veggies ahead and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh for up to a week. Cook the chicken, let it cool completely, then dice and freeze it in an airtight container. It stays good for up to a month.

Chicken Mayo Salad Ingredients

• Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breast. Boneless thighs work too. I poached and diced the chicken, but leftover grilled chicken also works well for this chicken salad.
• Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and flavor.
• Greek yogurt: Optional. Makes the salad healthier. You can swap it with the same amount of mayo.
• Vegetables: I used onions, celery, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. They add crunch, freshness, and color. Use any summer vegetables you like.
• Grapes: You can replace them with apples or avocados.
• Almonds: Add crunch and healthy fats. You can use walnuts or skip them.
• Honey: Balances the tang from lemon and the spice from red pepper flakes. You can also use brown sugar or maple syrup.
• Olive oil: A good choice for salad dressings, both for flavor and health.
• Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, tangy flavor. You can use lime juice or rice vinegar.
• Herbs: I used fresh cilantro. You can also use parsley or dill, or skip it.
• Italian seasoning: Adds flavor. You can skip it if you don’t have it.
• Seasoning: Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Skip red pepper flakes for a mild version.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

How to make Chicken Salad with Mayo

Preparations

1. In a deep bottom pan, add 6-8 cups of water, salt, crushed black pepper, and chicken breast.
2. Cover and cook it on medium heat for 15 minutes or until the chicken breast is cooked.
3. Remove it to a plate. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
4. Dice the chicken and set it aside.

For salad dressing

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, black pepper powder, salt, mayonnaise, and Greek yogurt. Chicken mayo salad dressing is ready.

Making the chicken salad

1. Combine all the salad ingredients into the mixing bowl. Toss it well with the dressing.
2. Taste & adjust the seasoning. Add more salt, lemon juice & pepper as per taste.
3. Let it rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. It tastes best when served chilled.

Tips to Make the Best Chicken Salad

• You can use leftover grilled chicken instead of poached chicken in this recipe.
• When cooking chicken, make sure there's enough water to fully cover the chicken breast.
• Lightly toast the almonds before adding them to the salad.
• You can chop all the vegetables ahead for meal prep. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay good for up to a week.
• Cook the chicken in advance, let it cool down to room temperature, and freeze it in an airtight container. It stays good for up to a month.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste.
• You can skip the Italian seasoning if you don’t have it.
• Greek yogurt is optional. I replaced a small amount of mayonnaise with yogurt to make the salad a bit healthier. You can skip the yogurt and use the same amount of mayonnaise instead.

Serving suggestion

1. This chicken and mayo salad tastes best when served chilled.
2. You can make a sandwich by stuffing it inside bread or a bun.
3. Make tacos and use them as stuffing.
4. Wrap this chicken mayo salad in a tortilla.
5. Serve it as a side dish with spicy Schezwan chicken fried rice.

Storage suggestion

1. To refrigerate: Refrigerate the chicken salad immediately after making it. Stays good for 24 hours in the refrigerator.
2. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
3. To freeze - It is not a freezer-friendly dish. Mayo disintegrates once you thaw it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Variations that you can try

• Healthy chicken salad - Skip mayonnaise and make this chicken salad with Greek yogurt. I love it that way. Made it many times, and everyone at home loves this Greek yogurt chicken salad. Simply substitute the quantity of mayonnaise with Greek Yogurt. For this recipe, you need 1 cup of Greek yogurt.
• Add more greens - You can add some blanched broccoli to the salad.

More Chicken Salad Recipes

• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad
• Grilled Chicken Salad

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Recipe Card