10 Quick and Easy Chicken Salad Recipes for Busy Weeknights

When the clock is ticking and your to-do list feels endless, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen. Enter chicken salad—your trusty weeknight savior! Not only is it quick to prepare but incredibly versatile, allowing you to throw together a delicious meal with leftover chicken, fresh veggies, and whatever flavor profiles suit your mood. With these ten easy chicken salad recipes, you’ll be able to whip up delightful, satisfying dishes in no time, transforming your busy evenings into delicious culinary experiences.

1. Classic Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

1 cup celery, diced

1/2 cup red grapes, halved

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, diced celery, and halved grapes.

In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss until everything is well-coated.

For added crunch, fold in the chopped nuts if desired.

Serve immediately on a bed of lettuce or in a sandwich.

2. Avocado Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, diced

1 ripe avocado, peeled and mashed

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/2 cup red pepper, diced

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, combine the cooked chicken and diced red pepper.

In another bowl, mix the mashed avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, and pepper until creamy.

Add the avocado mixture to the chicken and red pepper, and gently fold until everything is coated evenly.

Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving for an extra burst of flavor.

3. Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup cucumber, diced

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper to create a dressing.

Drizzle the dressing over the chicken salad and toss to combine.

Serve chilled or at room temperature, drizzling a little extra olive oil on top if desired.

4. Curried Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, diced

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup celery, diced

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon curry powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, dried cranberries, celery, and sliced almonds.

In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, curry powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Pour the curry dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently to combine.

Serve it on its own, in lettuce wraps, or as a sandwich filling.

5. Italian Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

1/2 cup mozzarella balls, halved

1/4 cup black olives, sliced

1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped

3 tablespoons pesto

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mozzarella balls, black olives, and roasted red peppers.

Add the pesto to the bowl, and season with salt and pepper.

Gently mix until the chicken and veggies are well-coated in the pesto.

This salad is perfect served on its own, or in a sandwich or wrap.

6. Spicy Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

1/2 cup diced celery

1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Green onions, for garnish

Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, diced celery, and minced jalapeño.

In a smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise, hot sauce, salt, and pepper, mixing well.

Pour the spicy dressing over the chicken mixture and toss until everything is well-coated.

Garnish with chopped green onions and serve on a bed of greens or in a sandwich.

7. BBQ Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

1/2 cup corn (canned or grilled)

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/4 cup red onion, diced

1/3 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup ranch dressing

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, corn, diced tomatoes, and red onion.

In a separate bowl, mix the barbecue sauce and ranch dressing together until well combined.

Pour the barbecue ranch dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently to coat.

Serve it chilled or at room temperature—whatever fits your busy schedule!

8. Asian Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, diced

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup snap peas, halved

1/4 cup green onions, sliced

1/4 cup sesame dressing (store-bought or homemade)

Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, shredded carrots, snap peas, and green onions.

Drizzle the sesame dressing over the chicken mixture and toss until well combined.

Serve topped with sesame seeds for an added crunch and flavor.

9. Southwest Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, diced

1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup corn

1/2 cup diced bell peppers (any color)

1/3 cup lime vinaigrette

Cilantro, for serving

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, black beans, corn, and diced bell peppers.

Pour the lime vinaigrette over the mixture and toss until everything is well-coated.

Serve topped with fresh cilantro for an added flavor boost.

10. Tropical Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, diced

1/2 cup diced pineapple (canned or fresh)

1/4 cup celery, diced

1/3 cup plain yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, pineapple, and diced celery.

In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Pour the yogurt dressing over the chicken mixture and mix until well-combined.

Serve it on your favorite greens or in a wrap for a fruity twist to your evening meal.

Conclusion

Chicken salad is one of those magical meals that marry convenience with variety, making weeknight dinners less of a chore and more of a delightful experience. With these ten recipes, each boasting unique flavors and ingredients, you can easily impress your family or enjoy a solo meal that feels anything but ordinary. Don’t shy away from experimenting further; tailor these recipes to suit your tastes or whatever leftovers you have on hand. Remember, the heart of chicken salad lies in its versatility—get creative and have fun with it!

FAQs

Q: Can I use canned chicken for these recipes?
A: Absolutely! Canned chicken can be a perfect time-saver. Just drain it well and add it directly into your mixture.

Q: How can I store leftover chicken salad?
A: Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Most salads will stay fresh for 3-4 days, but be mindful of the ingredients you include, as some may spoil faster.

Q: What can I substitute for the mayonnaise?
A: You can use Greek yogurt, sour cream, or even mashed avocado as a healthier alternative to mayonnaise.

Q: Are there any good sides to serve with chicken salad?
A: Chicken salad pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, chips, or a hearty slice of bread. You can also serve it over a bed of greens for a lighter option.

Q: Can I freeze chicken salad?
A: It’s not recommended to freeze chicken salad as the texture may change upon thawing. However, you can freeze the cooked chicken beforehand to use later.