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+ servings
Southern chicken salad sandwiches arranged on a wooden cutting board.
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4.60 from 5 votes

Southern Chicken Salad 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.
Prep Time15 mins
Chill Time2 hrs
Total Time2 hrs 15 mins
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 242kcal
Author: Ashley Boyd

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: 1serving | Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.5g | Protein: 22.1g | Fat: 10.7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 553mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 8.6g | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg