This Deli Chicken Salad is a delicious, creamy, dairy-free classic like the chicken salads found in New York delicatessens, and it's a great way to use leftover moist chicken.
This flavorful and creamy chicken salad is budget-friendly and quick and easy to make.
It's also versatile. You can eat it as a classic sandwich piled high on slices of white, rye, or whole-grain bread, in a roll, or on a bagel. Have it in a wrap with lettuce. Or even just scoop it out of the bowl with crackers.
And you decide the texture. Make it with small chunks of chicken (like in the pic), chopped fine, or even put it in the blender!
And you can customize it with more veggies, herbs, and seasonings.
It makes a great side dish at picnics, barbeques, and events.
And it makes a delicious lunch for work or school, so you don't have to order out and spend extra money.
And it's a perfect way to repurpose your leftover moist chicken.
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What is needed to make this deli chicken salad?
moist cooked chicken (preferably breast)
mayonnaise
celery
onion
white granulated sugar
Dijon mustard or yellow mustard, optional for a little tang
salt
granulated garlic
white or black ground pepper
herbs or chopped vegetables, as desired
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kind of leftover chicken works best for chicken salad?
This recipe works best with moist, tender leftover chicken. Cut it into small chunks, chop it finely, or pulse it briefly in a blender or food processor, depending on the texture you prefer.
Is this deli chicken salad dairy-free?
Yes. This chicken salad is made without milk, butter, or other dairy ingredients, making it a good choice for anyone avoiding dairy.
How should I serve deli chicken salad?
It's incredibly versatile. Serve it on white, rye, or whole-grain bread, inside a roll, wrap, or bagel, or simply scoop it onto crackers. You can also serve it as a side dish.
Can I customize this chicken salad?
Absolutely. Add chopped vegetables, fresh herbs, or your favorite seasonings to suit your taste. You can also leave out ingredients you don't like and keep it as simple as chicken and mayonnaise.
What kind of mayonnaise should I use?
Use whichever mayonnaise you like, including low-calorie mayonnaise. My favorite is Hellmann's, also sold as Best Foods in some parts of the United States. The two brands are made by the same company and are essentially the same mayonnaise, with the name varying by region.
Want sides for your chicken salad sandwich? Try these!
Love chicken? Try these!
Deli Chicken Salad
Delicious and creamy, dairy-free chicken salad like you find in a deli! Perfect for using up leftover moist chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 ½-2 pounds moist cooked chicken (preferably breast), diced or shredded
- 1 cup mayonnaise*
- ½ cup celery, diced or chopped small
- ¼ cup onion, chopped or diced small
- 1 tablespoon of white granulated sugar or to taste
- 1-2 teaspoons dijon mustard or yellow mustard for a slightly tangy flavor (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon white or black ground pepper
- additional herbs or chopped vegetables, as desired
Instructions
- Put chicken in a blender or food processor or mash well with a fork.**
- Combine chicken, celery, onion, and mayonnaise in a bowl.
- Mix in sugar, salt, garlic, and pepper.
- Add mustard, herbs, and/or chopped vegetables, as desired.
- Chill for at least an hour or so (chilled salad tastes better than warm).
Notes
*The best mayonnaise to use is Best Foods or Hellman's (they're the same, just with different names depending on where you live in the US).
**How you prepare yours depends on how fine you want your chicken. For more fine, use the blender. For less, use a fork.
Additional notes:
1) This recipe is very much "to taste." If you like more or less mayo, more or less spices, or more or less veggies, feel free to adapt.
2) If liquids seep out, mix before use or drain and add a little more mayo to keep salad creamy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 354Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 254mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 17g
