Southern Style Chicken Salad Recipe
Introduction
Southern Style Chicken Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. Made with tender rotisserie chicken and a blend of classic Southern seasonings, it’s a comforting recipe that’s easy to prepare and always satisfying.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (from store-bought rotisserie chicken)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Duke’s Mayo recommended)
- 2 celery hearts, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup sweet relish
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (seasoned salt can be used as a substitute)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: butter croissants, lettuce, tomatoes for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine chopped chicken, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, sweet relish, chopped hard-boiled eggs, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Step 2: Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Step 3: Serve the chicken salad on butter croissants with lettuce and tomato, or enjoy it as is.
Tips & Variations
- Make sure to finely chop the celery and onion for a balanced texture.
- For extra zest, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise to lighten the salad.
- Add chopped pecans or sliced grapes for a bit of crunch and sweetness.
Storage
Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, and enjoy chilled. Avoid freezing as the texture may change.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use leftover chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Yes, leftover cooked chicken works perfectly. Just chop it to a similar size for best results.
How can I make this chicken salad less rich?
Use half mayonnaise and half Greek yogurt, or reduce the mayo slightly and add a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
PrintSouthern Style Chicken Salad Recipe
This Southern Style Chicken Salad is a creamy, flavorful combination of chopped rotisserie chicken, mayo, celery, red onion, and a touch of spice from Cajun seasoning. Perfect for sandwiches, croissants, or served atop a bed of lettuce, this classic salad is quick to prepare and ideal for a comforting lunch or light dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Chicken Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (preferably from store-bought rotisserie chicken)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Duke’s Mayo recommended)
- 2 celery hearts, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup sweet relish
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (or substitute with seasoned salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional for Serving
- Butter croissants
- Lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Begin by chopping the cooked rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the celery hearts, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs. Measure out the mayonnaise, sweet relish, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped chicken, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, sweet relish, chopped hard-boiled eggs, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Use a spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients together thoroughly until well combined and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning: Sample the chicken salad and add extra Cajun seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, or black pepper as needed to suit your taste preferences. Stir again lightly to incorporate any additional seasoning.
- Serve: Serve the chicken salad as a filling for sandwiches using butter croissants, or as a salad over fresh lettuce and tomato slices if desired. Enjoy immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- For a spicier version, increase the Cajun seasoning slightly or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use Duke’s Mayo for an authentic Southern flavor, but any good-quality mayonnaise will work.
- Leftover chicken salad keeps well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For a lower-fat option, replace half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Hard-boiled eggs add texture and richness, but can be omitted if preferred.
Keywords: Chicken salad, Southern chicken salad, rotisserie chicken recipe, creamy chicken salad, sandwich filling, easy chicken salad
