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The Perfect Chicken Salad Chick Recipe (Our Classic Copycat Version)

Do you ever get a longing for that wonderfully creamy and flavourful chicken salad from a favourite eatery, and wish you could capture that magic in your own kitchen? It can feel like a culinary puzzle, trying to balance the tender chicken, the rich dressing, and that signature hint of sweetness. Well, your search is over! We are delighted to share our definitive #CopycatRecipe, which brings the beloved taste of Chicken Salad Chick directly to you. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s the perfect solution for your lunchtime needs and will surely become your new favourite for a quick, fulfilling meal.

We have taken great care in refining the ratios of each component to guarantee that every spoonful delivers the classic taste you adore. Our version is creamy yet light, savoury with a gentle sweetness, and features a delightful crunch. Prepare to delight your family, guests, and, of course, yourself!

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• Wonderfully Straightforward: With easy-to-follow steps and everyday ingredients, you don’t need to be a seasoned cook to master this delightful salad. It’s ideal for all abilities.
• Authentic Taste: We’ve truly captured the essence! This recipe replicates the signature creamy and savoury flavour that makes the original a firm favourite.
• Ideal for Meal Planning: This salad is one of those dishes that improves with time, as the flavours deepen overnight. Prepare a large batch on a Sunday for delicious, hassle-free lunches throughout the week.
• Fantastically Versatile: Enjoy it piled high on a croissant, served with crackers, arranged on a bed of greens, or even used as a filling for an avocado. There are countless ways to serve it, making it one of our top #LunchIdeas.

Ingredients

• 900g (2 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 250g (1 ¼ cups) good-quality mayonnaise
• 100g (1 cup) celery, finely diced
• 50g (¼ cup) sweet onion, finely minced
• 65g (¼ cup) sweet pickle relish
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• ¼ teaspoon celery seed

The Secret to Perfect Chicken for Your Salad

The heart of any truly great #ChickenSalad is undoubtedly the chicken itself. To achieve the tender, shreddable consistency that defines this recipe, cooking it just right is key. While any method will do, we find that poaching gives the most reliably moist and flavourful chicken. Simply pop your chicken breasts into a saucepan, cover them with water or chicken broth, and bring to a gentle simmer for about 15–20 minutes, or until cooked through. It’s important to avoid a vigorous boil, as that can result in tough meat.

After cooking, allow the chicken to cool down completely before you begin to shred it. This is an absolutely vital step! Shredding chicken while it’s still warm can make the salad oily and alter the consistency of the dressing. For more advice on achieving perfectly cooked chicken, our guide to a Juicy Chicken Recipe is a fantastic resource.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Chicken Salad Chick Recipe

Are you ready to make the most delicious chicken salad you’ve ever had? Just follow these simple stages, and a delightful meal will be yours in no time.

1. Cook and Shred the Chicken: Poach or bake the chicken breasts until they are thoroughly cooked, with an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F). Let the chicken cool to room temperature before shredding it. You can use two forks, or for a faster method, a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment works wonders.
2. Prepare Your Mix-Ins: As the chicken cools, finely dice the celery and onion, and chop the hard-boiled eggs. The goal is to have very small pieces that integrate into the salad, adding texture without being overwhelming.
3. Create the Creamy Dressing: In a spacious mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Whisk all the elements together until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. This dressing is the soul of our #ChickenSaladChick flavour.
4. Combine Everything: Add the shredded chicken, diced celery, minced onion, and chopped eggs to the dressing. Carefully fold everything together until the chicken is uniformly coated. Try not to overmix, as we want to maintain some texture.
5. Chill and Serve: For the very best results, cover the bowl and place the chicken salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This resting period is crucial, as it allows all the distinct flavours to meld into one perfectly balanced and tasty dish.

Tips for the Best Chicken Salad Ever

If you’d like to elevate your homemade chicken salad from lovely to truly memorable, here are a few of our most valuable tips.

Don’t Skimp on the Mayonnaise Quality

The mayonnaise forms the base of the dressing, so opting for a high-quality, full-fat variety will make a significant difference. It’s what provides the signature richness and creamy mouthfeel. We suggest brands like Hellmann’s or Duke’s for that authentic, classic flavour.

The Importance of Chilling

We touched on this in the instructions, but it’s worth repeating: please do not skip the chilling stage! That hour (or longer) in the fridge is when the transformation happens. The flavours from the dressing soak into the chicken, the celery and onion soften just a touch, and everything comes together beautifully. Believe us, it is worth the patience.

Customise Your Creation

While this recipe provides a fantastic classic base, we encourage you to make it your own! Why not add a handful of chopped pecans for a nutty texture, some sliced grapes for a pop of sweetness, or a little fresh dill for an aromatic, herby note? The creative options are limitless.

How to Serve Your Chicken Salad

One of the finest qualities of this recipe is its adaptability. There’s no single correct way to serve it! Here are a few of our favourite suggestions:

• In a Classic Sandwich: Spoon a generous helping onto a flaky croissant, a soft brioche roll, or between slices of toasted sourdough for the ultimate sandwich.
• As a Fresh Green Salad: For a lighter, lower-carb meal, serve a scoop over a crisp bed of lettuce, spinach, and other fresh salad vegetables.
• With Crackers or Veggies: It works wonderfully as a dip with your favourite crackers, slices of pitta bread, or crunchy vegetable sticks like carrots and cucumbers.
• As a Savoury Filling: Hollow out a fresh tomato or half an avocado and fill it with the chicken salad for an elegant and satisfying lunch.

Storing Your Homemade Chicken Salad

Correct storage is essential for keeping your delicious creation fresh. Transfer any leftover chicken salad to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It will remain fresh and tasty for up to 3–4 days, which makes it perfect for meal prepping. Always practise good food safety when handling chicken. For detailed guidance, we suggest referring to official resources such as the UK’s Food Standards Agency.

FAQ

And there you have it—our ultimate Chicken Salad Chick Recipe, ready to satisfy your cravings and enhance your lunch routine. It’s a simple, dependable, and incredibly tasty dish that we are confident will become a household staple. We have put our passion for delicious food into perfecting this recipe, and we are so thrilled to now share it with you.

We invite you to give this recipe a go and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below! Did you add your own creative touch? Please don’t forget to share it with a friend who appreciates a good #SaladRecipe.

Recipe Card

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 900g (2 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 250g (1 ¼ cups) good-quality mayonnaise
• 100g (1 cup) celery, finely diced
• 50g (¼ cup) sweet onion, finely minced
• 65g (¼ cup) sweet pickle relish
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• ¼ teaspoon celery seed

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F). Let them cool completely before shredding. While the chicken cools, finely dice the celery, mince the onion, and chop the hard-boiled eggs.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, pepper, and celery seed until the dressing is smooth and fully combined.
3. Add the shredded chicken, diced celery, minced onion, and chopped eggs to the dressing. Gently fold everything together until uniformly coated, then cover and chill for at least one hour to allow the flavours to meld before serving.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 891, Carbs: 10g, Protein: 81g, Fat: 58g

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