Southern-Style Chicken Salad
This dish is a staple at family gatherings, Sunday brunches, and when looking for something cool and refreshing during a warm afternoon
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken** preferably roasted or poached, then finely chopped or shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise** adjust more or less to taste
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery** adds a nice crunch
- 1/4 cup finely chopped dill
- 4 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped sweet pickles** or relish *optional
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper** to taste
- Optional: Chopped grapes or nuts for extra texture and flavor**
Instructions
Prepare The Chicken
- Start with 2 cups of finely chopped or shredded cooked chicken. Roasting or poaching your chicken breasts is preferable for moist and tender meat.
Mix Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, finely diced celery, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and fresh dill. Mix these ingredients until well blended.
Add The Chicken
- Fold the chicken into the mixture until evenly coated. Here, you can also add optional ingredients like grapes, or nuts which is true to Southern Chicken Salad but I am not a fan therefore I left off of this recipe but I know many people love the added sweetness of the grapes or the texture of the nuts so by all means add them and see if you like it!
Season & Chill
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and a dash of smoked paprika. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. This resting phase allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve your Southern chicken salad on fresh croissants, sourdough bread, as a topping for a green salad, or a dip with pita chips. It’s versatile and delicious any way it’s presented!