Chicken Salad — Classic Creamy
This classic chicken salad is creamy, crunchy, and packed with fresh herbs. Poaching the chicken ensures it's incredibly moist and tender, making it perfect for sandwiches or salads.
Chicken Salad — Classic Creamy
This classic chicken salad is creamy, crunchy, and packed with fresh herbs. Poaching the chicken ensures it's incredibly moist and tender, making it perfect for sandwiches or salads.
The Key Move
Poach the chicken gently to keep it moist and tender for the best texture.
Leagues
Take This Recipe Into Leagues
Find an active challenge, vote, or challenge the current king.
The Setup
- Large Pot
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Instant-Read Thermometer
The Mise en Place
5 of 9Your prep station before cooking begins
The Protein (0/3)
The Aromatics (0/1)
The Pantry (0/2)
Chicken is dry.
Do not overcook the chicken. Poach gently and check for doneness with a thermometer.
Chicken salad is too bland.
Add more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or Dijon mustard to taste.
The Method
POACH
Prep aheadPlace chicken breasts (900 g) in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
SIMMER
Prep aheadSimmer gently for 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
Chicken is cooked through but not dry.
COOL
Prep aheadRemove chicken from pot and let cool slightly. Shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
COMBINE
In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, celery (2 stalks), mayonnaise (1 cup), parsley, dill, lemon juice (1 tbsp), Dijon mustard (1 tsp), salt (½ tsp), and pepper.
Smell the fresh herbs.
Breaking: Add fat slowly while whisking to keep it smooth. Too fast can split the sauce.
MIX
Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in mayonnaise (1 cup).
Creamy texture.
Breaking: Add fat slowly while whisking to keep it smooth. Too fast can split the sauce.
CHILL
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
SERVE
Serve chilled on croissants, bread, lettuce wraps, or crackers. Enjoy!
Chicken salad is creamy and chilled.
Master These Next
Grilled Chicken Thighs — Lemon Herb
Achieve perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat with this simple grilled chicken thigh recipe, infused with bright lemon and fragrant herbs. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs (Crispy Skin, Juicy Meat)
The ultimate guide to achieving shatteringly crisp skin and moist, tender meat on your air fryer chicken thighs, banishing sogginess forever.
Tuna Melt — Open-Faced
A bubbly, cheesy, elevated take on the diner classic. Broiling brings out the best flavors and textures.