I love a good chicken salad for a quick lunch or easy dinner. It’s incredibly versatile, and you can create so many delicious variations! Today, I’m sharing my collection of easy chicken salad recipes that are perfect for meal prep, a simple work lunch, or a light, fresh meal at home.
These recipes are straightforward, full of flavor, and use ingredients you might already have. Get ready to find your new favorite way to make chicken salad!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Easy Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad Recipe
- 2. Easy Pesto Chicken Salad Recipe
- 3. Easy Mexican Chicken Salad Recipe
- 4. Easy Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe
- 5. Easy Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe
Easy Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad Recipe
This chicken salad recipe brings all the fun and flavor of a jalapeno popper into a creamy, cool dish. It’s a great option if you enjoy a little heat in your lunch or dinner.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad
- Chicken Prep: Use cooked, shredded chicken breast for the best texture in this easy salad. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly.
- Spice Level: For less heat, make sure to remove all seeds and membranes from your fresh jalapenos before chopping.
What You Need for this Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1-2 fresh jalapenos, finely diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Chicken and Veggies
If not already shredded, chop your cooked chicken into small pieces. Finely dice your jalapenos, making sure to remove seeds and membranes if you prefer less heat. Slice the green onions.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, diced jalapenos, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions. Mix everything together well until it’s smooth and fully combined.
Step 3: Season and Chill
Taste the chicken salad and add salt and black pepper as you like. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors come together.
📝 Final Note
This salad is best served cold. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Easy Pesto Chicken Salad Recipe
If you love the fresh, herby taste of pesto, you’ll really enjoy this chicken salad. It’s simple to make and full of vibrant Italian-inspired flavors.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Pesto Chicken Salad
- Pesto Quality: Use a good quality store-bought pesto or homemade pesto for the best flavor. This is the star ingredient!
- Adding Freshness: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens up all the flavors.
What You Need for this Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 10 minutes🍽️ Yields: 3-4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Chop Chicken and Celery
Make sure your cooked chicken is chopped into small, even pieces. Finely dice the celery for a nice crunch. If using, chop the sun-dried tomatoes.
Step 2: Mix Salad Base
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped chicken, mayonnaise, basil pesto, diced celery, and sun-dried tomatoes (if using). Stir everything gently until it is fully coated and mixed.
Step 3: Season and Serve
Taste your pesto chicken salad and add salt and black pepper as you wish. You can serve it right away, but the flavors are even better if it chills in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
📝 Final Note
This salad is great in sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or scooped onto crackers. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Easy Mexican Chicken Salad Recipe
Bring some zest to your meal with this Mexican chicken salad. It’s packed with fresh ingredients and bright flavors, making it a fantastic choice for a lively and filling lunch.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Mexican Chicken Salad
- Corn & Beans: Use canned corn and black beans for quick prep; just rinse them well before adding.
- Avocado Freshness: Add diced avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
What You Need for this Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup canned corn, drained
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Veggies and Chicken
Shred your cooked chicken. Rinse and drain the black beans and corn. Finely dice the red onion and chop the fresh cilantro.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder. Mix until smooth.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the top and mix well until all ingredients are coated. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
📝 Final Note
This Mexican chicken salad is fantastic served in lettuce cups, with tortilla chips, or as a taco filling. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Easy Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe
This sesame chicken salad recipe offers a wonderful blend of sweet and nutty flavors inspired by Asian cuisine. It’s light, refreshing, and comes together quickly.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Sesame Chicken Salad
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Don’t skip the toasted sesame oil; it adds a deep, authentic nutty flavor.
- Crunch Factor: Add some chopped peanuts or crispy noodles right before serving for extra texture.
What You Need for this Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, plus more for garnish
⏱️ Time: 10 minutes🍽️ Yields: 3-4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Veggies
Shred your cooked chicken into small pieces. Shred the carrots if they aren’t already. Slice the green onions thinly.
Step 2: Whisk the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and honey (or maple syrup). Mix until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately or chill for a bit.
📝 Final Note
This sesame chicken salad is great on its own, in lettuce wraps, or over a bed of mixed greens. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Easy Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe
Enjoy the fresh, cool flavors of the Mediterranean with this unique chicken salad. It’s made with creamy tzatziki, fresh herbs, and cucumber, offering a lighter option.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Tzatziki Chicken Salad
- Draining Cucumber: Squeeze excess water from grated cucumber to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh dill and parsley are key here; dried herbs won’t give the same vibrant taste.
What You Need for this Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: a few olives or cherry tomatoes for garnish
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 3 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Cucumber and Herbs
Grate the cucumber and use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to squeeze out as much water as you can. Mince the garlic and chop the fresh dill and parsley.
Step 2: Create the Tzatziki Dressing
In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped dill, and chopped parsley. Stir until everything is well mixed.
Step 3: Combine with Chicken and Season
Add the shredded chicken to the tzatziki mixture. Gently fold it in until the chicken is fully coated. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste. For best results, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
📝 Final Note
This Mediterranean chicken salad is perfect in pita bread, on crackers, or as a light topping for a green salad. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
