You know that chicken salad that tastes like it came from a fancy deli, but you’re pretty sure it took someone five minutes to throw together? That’s what we’re tackling here. The trick isn’t complicated—it’s about knowing which ingredients actually matter and how they work together. Want to find out what makes this version different?
Why You’ll Love this Chicken Salad
When you’re craving something that hits that sweet spot between fancy enough for company and simple enough for a Tuesday lunch, this chicken salad’s got you covered. I love how the creamy mayo and tangy Durkee’s relish create this perfect balance that keeps you coming back for more bites.
The diced celery adds this satisfying crunch that prevents the whole thing from feeling heavy. Plus, honestly, it comes together faster than ordering takeout. That crisp lettuce bed with tomato aspic and green olives? Chef’s kiss. It’s elegant without pretending to be something it’s not.
Also read: Hearty Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
What Ingredients are in Chicken Salad?
This chicken salad recipe keeps things straightforward with a carefully balanced combination of proteins, vegetables, and creamy components. The beauty of this dish lies in how a few quality ingredients work together to create something truly satisfying.
Each component plays an essential role—the chicken provides the protein base, the celery adds textural contrast, and the Special Dressing mixture creates the rich, flavorful binding that makes every bite delicious.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1 1/4 cups diced celery
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Durkee’s relish sandwich spread
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Crisp lettuce for serving
- Tomato Aspic ring for garnish
- Green stuffed olives for garnish
When preparing this recipe, it’s worth noting that the quality of your cooked chicken makes a significant difference in the final result—using freshly cooked chicken rather than canned will give you better texture and flavor.
The mayonnaise and Durkee’s relish combination can be adjusted to your personal preference; some prefer it tangier with more relish, while others favor a creamier version with extra mayo. Make sure your celery is finely diced to distribute evenly throughout the salad, and always taste and adjust the seasoning before serving, as the amount of salt and pepper needed may vary depending on the saltiness of your other ingredients.
How to Make this Chicken Salad
- Begin by combining your 2 1/2 cups of diced cooked chicken with 1 1/4 cups of diced celery in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, prepare your Special Dressing by combining 1 cup of mayonnaise with 1/4 cup of Durkee’s relish sandwich spread, stirring until well blended.
- Add enough of this dressing mixture to the chicken and celery to moisten the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring everything is evenly coated. You may not need to use all of the dressing—add it gradually and stop when the salad reaches your desired consistency.
- Once the chicken and celery are properly mixed with the dressing, taste the salad and season with salt and pepper to your preference. Remember that the Durkee’s relish already contains some salt, so start conservatively and adjust gradually.
- The seasoning is essential to bringing out the flavors of all the components, so take time to get it right before moving on to plating.
- To serve, arrange crisp lettuce on individual plates or a serving platter and spoon the chicken salad onto the lettuce base. Garnish each portion with a Tomato Aspic ring and green stuffed olives for an elegant presentation.
- This classic preparation method creates a balanced, satisfying dish where the creamy dressing binds all the ingredients together while the fresh celery provides a pleasant textural contrast.
Chicken Salad Recipe With Classic Flavors
Ingredients
Method
- Begin by combining your 2 1/2 cups of diced cooked chicken with 1 1/4 cups of diced celery in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, prepare your Special Dressing by combining 1 cup of mayonnaise with 1/4 cup of Durkee's relish sandwich spread, stirring until well blended.
- Add enough of this dressing mixture to the chicken and celery to moisten the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring everything is evenly coated. You may not need to use all of the dressing—add it gradually and stop when the salad reaches your desired consistency.
- Once the chicken and celery are properly mixed with the dressing, taste the salad and season with salt and pepper to your preference. Remember that the Durkee’s relish already contains some salt, so start conservatively and adjust gradually.
- The seasoning is essential to bringing out the flavors of all the components, so take time to get it right before moving on to plating.
- To serve, arrange crisp lettuce on individual plates or a serving platter and spoon the chicken salad onto the lettuce base. Garnish each portion with a Tomato Aspic ring and green stuffed olives for an elegant presentation.
- This classic preparation method creates a balanced, satisfying dish where the creamy dressing binds all the ingredients together while the fresh celery provides a pleasant textural contrast.
Notes
What to Serve with chicken salad
Since chicken salad’s creamy, protein-packed richness can handle just about any sidekick, the real question isn’t what pairs well with it—it’s what mood you’re in. I’d serve it on crisp lettuce with tomato aspic rings and green stuffed olives for elegance. Want casual? Pile it between soft bread slices. Crackers work beautifully too, especially buttery ones. Fresh fruit like grapes or berries complement the mayo nicely without competing. Roasted vegetables add earthiness. Even a simple green salad underneath creates nice contrast. The beauty here is flexibility—this chicken salad adapts to whatever you’re craving.Chicken Salad Substitutions and Variations
You’ve got so many ways to make this classic recipe your own, and honestly, that’s what makes chicken salad such a forgiving dish to work with. I’d swap the celery for crisp apple chunks if I’m feeling fancy, or toss in some dried cranberries for sweetness. Want crunch? Throw in some toasted nuts.
Can’t find Durkee’s relish spread? Pickle relish works just fine. I’d even experiment with different mayonnaise brands or mix in Greek yogurt for lighter versions. The beauty here is that you’re building flavor layers, so play around until you find what clicks for your taste buds.
What to Serve with Chicken Salad
Since chicken salad’s creamy, protein-packed richness can handle just about any sidekick, the real question isn’t what pairs well with it—it’s what mood you’re in. I’d serve it on crisp lettuce with tomato aspic rings and green stuffed olives for elegance. Want casual? Pile it between soft bread slices.
Crackers work beautifully too, especially buttery ones. Fresh fruit like grapes or berries complement the mayo nicely without competing. Roasted vegetables add earthiness. Even a simple green salad underneath creates nice contrast. The beauty here is flexibility—this chicken salad adapts to whatever you’re craving.
Final Thoughts
Chicken salad’s greatest strength might be its honest simplicity—no fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients needed, just good fundamentals and quality components working together. I find that once I nail the ratio of chicken to mayo, everything else falls into place. The beauty is how forgiving it becomes after that. Want it creamier? Add more mayo. Prefer texture? Boost the celery. This recipe teaches me that sometimes the best dishes aren’t about complexity—they’re about understanding balance. That’s when I know I’ve truly mastered something in the kitchen.
