This in one of my favorite chicken salad recipes. I LOVE making this chicken salad recipe in the summer when it’s too hot to cook… It doesn’t heat up the house because I cook it fast and easy in the instant pot.

This classic chicken salad is great recipe for a dressed up event like a baby shower, and it’s also a great addition for a casual Potluck! As far as chicken recipes go, this is one of the easiest with simple ingredients, and most enjoyed lunch recipes that I know of. I served this delicious salad at my daughter’s bridal shower, it was pretty on the table, and everyone loved it!

There are different versions of chicken salad. Some include grapes, cranberries and apples. This recipe is a traditional chicken salad recipe with grapes… It’s one of the best recipes to use leftover rotisserie chicken! Be sure to print your traditional chicken salad full recipe card below.

Tools I Use

You really don’t need a lot of tools to make this chicken salad. You most likely already have these tools in your kitchen. The tools I use when making this easy chicken salad recipe include:

• A Food Processor for chopping onions and herbs.
• Instant Pot for cooking chicken breast.
• Large Bowl for Mixing & Serving
• Cutting Board for dicing chicken.
• Cookie sheet and paper bags for cooking perfectly crispy bacon.
• A Large Spoon For Mixing
• A Serving Spoon
• Plastic Wrap to cover serving bowl.
• An airtight container for any leftovers.

The Homestead Trick for Extra Crispy Bacon – Baking bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet or clean brown paper bags is an old-fashioned kitchen hack that works wonders. The paper helps absorb excess grease as the bacon bakes in the oven, allowing it to get perfectly crisp without sitting in a puddle of fat. Plus, it makes cleanup a breeze!

Key Ingredients

I like to make this chicken salad from organic, free-range chickens. But, organic free range chickens are more expensive than regular chicken so just do what is best for you.

Why Red Onion?

This classic recipe calls for red onion, and they’re much better than yellow onion in this delicious chicken salad. Red onions have a slightly different flavor when they’re raw… And the red onion also adds a beautiful color to this dish that yellow onions can’t. So, add red onions for a prettier and better tasting chicken salad!

Green Onions Too?

You may think using red and green onions is a lot of onion for one salad. However, red and green onions have different textures and flavors that both lend to the excellent chicken salad experience. Don’t skip the green onions! They also make for a really pretty garnish on top with the bacon!

What About Lemon Juice?

This chicken salad recipe can be made with or without the lemon juice. I think the chicken, bacon and onion flavors are excellent without lemon juice as well. But if you’re wanting a classic chicken salad then use lemon juice!

Make The Dressing

In a smaller bowl mix add: mayo, sour cream, mustard powder, garlic powder, juice of half a lemon (or lime juice), salt & pepper. Stir well. Add dressing to salad and toss well.

Great Variations

Next time you make chicken salad try adding some of these optional ingredients to add to the classic chicken salad taste:

• 1/2 cup of walnuts adds crunch to texture, this is especially good in this recipe without crunchy celery.
• A little bit of Red Pepper for some heat.
• 1/4 cup Sweet Pickle Relish, or dill pickle relish if you like dill better.
• 1/2 cup of red bell pepper diced very small.

How I Serve Chicken Salad

I really love to serve this chicken salad sandwich recipe at room temperature with croissants! (It’s also excellent on top of a green salad!) Buttery soft flaky croissant is the perfect bed for this flavor packed chicken salad recipe, but they are this is also delicious inside a lettuce wrap!! Either way, you’re going to love it!

I like to set out a bar for serving on my island and include: A plate of washed and trimmed lettuce leaves, sliced avocado, a plate of croissants, or fresh homemade bread. And a big serving Bowl of Chicken Salad!

Pairing

• A bag of your favorite chips.
• Jello Salad
• A Veggie Tray
• Citrus Fruit Salad
• Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake for dessert!

How To Store Chicken Salad

Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for three to five days. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, it is the best to just pull out for lunch the next day… Your kids, or husband, will love it!

Don’t freeze leftover chicken salad for latter… It’s best to only freeze the cooked Instant Pot chicken ahead of time not the fully dressed salad.

Summer Food Safety & Serving Tips

Because this salad relies on a creamy mayonnaise and sour cream dressing, keeping it at a safe temperature is key—especially for outdoor potlucks, patio lunches, or summer gatherings.

• The 2-Hour Rule: Never leave mayonnaise-based salads out at room temperature (or outdoors) for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s over 90°F outside).
• Serve It on Ice: If you’re hosting a outdoor event, nestle your serving bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice to keep the salad chilled and fresh throughout the party.
• To Make Ahead: You can prepare the cooked chicken and dressing a day in advance, but hold off on adding the crispy bacon and fresh green onions until right before serving so they stay perfectly crunchy.

Why Is My Chicken Salad So Dry?

Chicken salad is dry when you added too much dry ingredients and not enough dressing. You can fix a dry chicken salad by adding more mayo, sour cream, or plain yogurt. Then give it another squeeze of lemon or lime juice!

How To Fix Runny Chicken Salad

If your chicken salad is runny, it most likely because your veggies (celery does this) released their water making the salad a bit runny. You can prevent this by adding veggies just before serving. Fix a runny salad by adding another spoonful of mayo and mixing well.

Tips for the Best Chicken Salad Texture

Cool Before You Toss: Always let your cooked chicken cool completely to room temperature (or chill it in the fridge) before dicing and mixing with the mayonnaise dressing. Tossing warm chicken melts the mayo, causing the emulsion to break and leaving you with an oily, separated dressing instead of a rich, creamy salad.