There’s a reason why chicken salad is a year-round staple: It’s delicious, versatile, and packed with protein. But sometimes this creamy chicken blend can be bland and well, boring. That’s why our Test Kitchen created this tangy chicken salad recipe, complete with celery, fresh herbs, and grainy mustard.
Traditional chicken salad can be high in fat. To lighten, try a mayonnaise and Greek yogurt mixture. Our Test Kitchen suggests 2 parts mayo for 1 part yogurt. This blend doesn’t skimp out on the creamy consistency but adds tang and cuts out the calories. Win-win.
However, grainy mustard is the real winner in this dish. The condiment adds zest, which helps balance out the creaminess.
Celery can be a bit tricky. Once it’s cut, this veggie releases liquid, which may cause your potato salad to turn into a watery mess. To prevent this, mix in the celery right before you serve. Otherwise, simply add another spoonful of mayo or yogurt.
Chicken salad is best served immediately. But if it’s stored in an airtight container ($7, amazon.com) in the refrigerator, it can last up to three days.
Let’s move on to what you really came for: Our Test Kitchen’s best-ever chicken salad recipe.
WATCH: How to Make the Best Chicken Salad of All Time
Finally, a quick (and healthy!) dish that both parents and kids can enjoy. Watch this video to learn how to make our refreshed version of this family-friendly meal.
Ingredients you’ll need:
• 4 6-oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp. grainy mustard
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tbsp. snipped chives
Tools you’ll need:
• Large pot ($23, amazon.com)
• Tongs ($13 for two, amazon.com)
• Cutting board ($15, amazon.com)
• Chef’s knife ($20, amazon.com)
• Glass mixing bowl ($12, amazon.com)
• Juicer ($16, amazon.com)
• Silicone spatula ($9, amazon.com)
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Step 1: Poach the Chicken
Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt and the chicken. Reduce the heat and gently simmer until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. If you’re short on time, skip this step altogether and pick up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken at your local grocery store.
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Step 2: Shred the Chicken
Once the cooked chicken is cool, shred it into bite-size pieces using two forks or your fingers. You can also chop with a knife, but shredded chicken is way easier to eat (that’s important, after all).
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Step 3: Create the Creamy Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat.
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Step 4: Mix It All Together
Chop the celery. Then fold the celery, parsley, and chives into the creamy chicken mixture. This is just the beginning: You can get creative with more ingredients like walnuts, raisins, sliced apples, sliced grapes, onions, basil, cilantro, or mint.
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