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    Pink Owl Kitchen » Recipes » southern recipes » Southern Chicken Salad Recipe

    Southern Chicken Salad Recipe

    Published: May 18, 2023 by Ashley Boyd · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    Southern chicken salad sandwiches arranged on a wooden cutting board.

    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.
    Southern chicken salad in a white bar along with chicken salad sandwiches spread out on a white surface.

    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.
    Ingredients for making southern chicken salad spread out on a wooden cutting board.

    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.
    Ingredients for chicken salad dressing in a clear glass bowl.
    add all ingredients except chicken and eggs to a mixing bowl.
    Combined chicken salad dressing in a clear glass bowl.
    stir to create the dressing for the chicken salad.

    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
    Southern chicken salad in a white bowl sitting on top of a white surface.

    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!

    Southern chicken salad piled on top of a croissant.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I cook my own chicken for chicken salad?

    Yes. You may roast a whole chicken or bake chicken breasts in the oven if you prefer.

    Do I have to put eggs in chicken salad?

    Eggs are an optional ingredient but most southern-style chicken salad recipes call for hard-boiled eggs.

    What is the best mayonnaise for chicken salad?

    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.

    Southern chicken salad sandwiches arranged on a wooden cutting board.

    What To Serve with Southern Chicken Salad

    Southern chicken salad tastes terrific on top of fresh greens, piled on croissants or sandwich bread, or as a dip for crackers. Serve chicken salad with some of the following dishes for the perfect southern spread.

    • Cajun Potato Salad
    • Southern Squash Casserole
    • Southern Baked Beans
    • Southern Deviled Eggs
    • Fresh Strawberry Cobbler
    • Sock It To Me Cake
    • Hummingbird Cupcakes
    • Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
    • Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes
    • Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea

    Recommended Kitchen Tools for This Recipe

    • Chef's knife
    • Mixing bowls
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Large wooden spoon or silicone spatula
    Southern chicken salad and a white ball with a cracker dipped into it.

    More Southern Recipes You Will Love!

    • Hot Water Cornbread
    • Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits
    • Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins
    • Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
    • Southern Hush Puppies
    • Southern Coleslaw
    • Southern Cornbread Dressing
    • Southern Candied Yams
    • Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
    • Hot Honey Chicken Thighs
    • Cajun Shrimp and Grits
    • Strawberry Biscuits
    • Bananas Foster French Toast
    • Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pie
    • Southern Pecan Pralines
    • Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

    📖 Recipe

    Southern chicken salad sandwiches arranged on a wooden cutting board.

    Southern Chicken Salad Recipe

    Ashley Boyd
    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.
    4.60 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Chill Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 15 mins
    Course Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 242 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowl
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Chef knife
    • Wooden spoon

    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.

    Notes

    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!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 14.5gProtein: 22.1gFat: 10.7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 553mgPotassium: 176mgFiber: 0.6gSugar: 8.6gCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

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    Ashley boyd leaning over counter in the kitchen.

    HI! I'M ASHLEY.

    Southern girl, wife, mom, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen - that's me! My love for creating comforting home-cooked meals for my family blossomed into an online resource for home cooks like you. I am passionate about sharing the Southern flavors I grew up eating and I hope your family enjoys them for years to come!

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