This classic Southern chicken salad recipe is made with shredded chicken, sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, hard-boiled eggs, and plenty of spices. This old-fashioned chicken salad is the perfect potluck or picnic recipe and tastes delicious with crackers or piled high on fresh bread.
Chicken salad is one of those dishes that you see served at almost every graduation party, baby shower, bridal shower, and get-together in the South. It is also one of those dishes that MUST be done right, especially at Black folks' gatherings, or your chicken salad will remain untouched on the food table.
We like our chicken salad pretty sweet in the south, so sweet pickle relish is a must, as is ensuring it is well-seasoned! My not-so-southern secret ingredient is coriander, which gives this chicken salad that little something extra that everyone who tries it raves about.
For more classic Southern recipes, check out our Southern Deviled Eggs and Southern Baked Beans next!
Why This Chicken Salad Is the Best
- Old-fashioned Southern recipe. Southern chicken salad is the best in my opinion and is made with tasty simple ingredients including mayonnaise, sweet relish, and hard-boiled eggs. It's sweet but not overly sweet and the texture is perfect.
- Creamy but sturdy. Mayonnaise holds this chicken salad together but we do not use an excessive amount so this chicken salad holds up perfectly to crackers and makes an excellent sandwich.
- Easy to make. Store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this chicken salad recipe a breeze to make. Everything comes together in a matter of minutes.
- Well-seasoned. Plenty of flavorful spices like garlic powder, celery salt, and coriander give this chicken salad a mouthwatering flavor.
Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
- Mayonnaise. To hold the chicken salad together and make it creamy.
- Sweet pickle relish. For the signature sweet crunch southern chicken is known for.
- Celery. For added texture and freshness.
- Sweet onion. For added texture and flavor.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, ground coriander, dried thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. To season the chicken salad and add depth.
- Rotisserie chicken. Store-bought rotisserie chicken really cuts down on prep time for this chicken salad. You can also use homemade roast chicken or baked chicken breasts.
- Hard-boiled eggs. For added texture and flavor.
- Granulated sugar. I like my chicken salad pretty sweet so I add a tablespoon of sugar but this is completely optional.
How To Make This Recipe
- Add ¾ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sweet relish, celery, chopped onion, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, coriander, dried thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
- Add the chopped chicken and hard-boiled eggs to the bowl and stir to combine. If the chicken salad is a bit dry add ¼ cup more mayonnaise. Taste the chicken salad, season with more salt and pepper to taste, and add up to ¼ cup more sweet relish if desired.
- If you like a sweeter chicken salad, stir in 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 2 hours up to overnight. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and smoked paprika when ready to serve.
Variations and Substitutions
Chicken salad recipes vary greatly from cook to cook, and while this southern chicken salad sticks to classic ingredients, do not be afraid to try something new! Try adding some of the following fun ingredients to your next batch of chicken salad:
- Bell pepper
- Dill
- Green onions
- Rosemary
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Dill pickles
- Jalapenos
- Corn
- Grapes
- Apples
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Almonds
Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions
I always recommend making southern chicken salad the night before if time allows. Chicken salad tastes even better the next day after the ingredients have had time to chill and the flavors come together.
Leftover chicken salad can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days but it never lasts more than 2 to 3 days in my home!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You may roast a whole chicken or bake chicken breasts in the oven if you prefer.
Eggs are an optional ingredient but most southern-style chicken salad recipes call for hard-boiled eggs.
Most Southerners will tell you that Duke's mayonnaise is the only mayonnaise for chicken and I agree 100%! Duke's mayonnaise is tangy, extra rich, and creamy. You may also use Hellman's or Miracle Whip if you prefer.
More Southern Recipes You Will Love!
📖 Recipe
Southern Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ - 1 cup mayonnaise - I recommend Duke's
- ½ - ¾ cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 rib celery - finely chopped
- ½ cup sweet onion - finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- Salt and cracked black pepper - to taste
- 1 rotisserie chicken - about 4 cups chicken, skin and bones removed, finely chopped or shredded
- 2 hard-boiled eggs - chopped
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar - optional
Instructions
- Add ¾ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sweet relish, celery, chopped onion, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, coriander, dried thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
- Add the chopped chicken and hard-boiled eggs to the bowl and stir to combine. If the chicken salad is a bit dry add ¼ cup more mayonnaise. Taste the chicken salad, season with more salt and pepper to taste, and add up to ¼ cup more sweet relish if desired.
- If you like a sweeter chicken salad, stir in 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 2 hours up to overnight. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and smoked paprika when ready to serve.
E Davis
I am a young mom trying different recipes and this was delicious!!
Ashley Boyd
I am so happy to hear it! Blessings to you and your family.
Jeanne
Made it. Was worried about seasonings overpowering but turned out very good. Added elbow macaroni. Will make it my recipe of choice for chicken salad.
Ashley Boyd
I am thrilled to hear the chicken salad recipe turned out well for you. Thank you for trying our recipe!