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This smooth and tasty rotisserie chicken salad quickly became my go-to for crazy weekdays. It takes only about ten minutes to throw together and uses stuff I already keep at home. You can't beat it for a fast lunch or snack in the evening, and it's super easy to pack for work or a picnic.
The first time I made this was after a chill Sunday when we had some leftover rotisserie chicken. I was amazed at how fast my family gobbled it up! Now my husband keeps asking to make bigger batches so he can just grab it for lunch without fuss.
Tasty Ingredients
- Dried dill: brings a light herby flavor – use a fresh jar to really notice it
- Sea salt: boosts all the flavors – flaky or regular is fine, just keep tasting as you add
- Dijon mustard: brings a little kick and zing – go for a smooth Dijon for best results
- Mayonnaise: makes everything creamy – I like simple, full-flavor mayo for this
- Shredded chicken: pulled rotisserie chicken is super tender – use light or dark meat, or both if you can!
- Chopped green onion: about three gives a gentle onion bite – grab some that look bright and fresh
- Chopped celery: two stalks roughly, for a fresh crunch – try to find crispy, pale celery for the best taste
Simple Steps
- Taste and Adjust:
- Try a small spoonful—maybe you want extra dill or a squeeze of lemon for some brightness. Add salt to taste.
- Scrape and Mix:
- Use a spatula to pull down anything sticking to the bowl. Give it another few pulses for creamy salad, but don’t mix so much it loses all texture—you want some little chunks left!
- Combine Salad Ingredients:
- Pop the shredded chicken, mayo, and Dijon in with the veggies in your food processor. Pulse a few times just to barely start blending it all together.
- Chop the Veggies:
- Toss celery and green onion into your food processor, pulsing until everything's nice and tiny and even—scrape the sides if you need. This makes each bite super fresh and crunchy.
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The best part for me? That celery crunch! My kids actually call them "crispies." We even laugh seeing who loads up their scoop with the most. Makes every forkful a treat.
Storing Advice
This chicken salad keeps nicely in the fridge for four days. Put it in a tight container to keep it fresh. If you're someone who wants extra crunch, just hold back some celery and stir it in right before you dig in.
Swap Options
No green onions handy? Chives or some chopped red onions do the trick. Want to lighten it up? Swap some or all of the mayo for Greek yogurt. Rotisserie turkey or any cooked chicken you’ve got will also work out well.
How to Serve It
Scoop it into lettuce wraps for something light. Pile it high on toasted sourdough with tomato for a bigger lunch. Or stuff it into pita for an on-the-go bite. It's especially awesome with some crisp cucumber or a green salad on the side.
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Family & Food Traditions
Lots of places have their own chicken salad twists, but this rotisserie one made life so much easier for my family. I first whipped it up for my kids to clear out roast chicken leftovers and now it’s a summer road trip essential snack for us.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?
Totally! Grab a rotisserie chicken from the store to make this even quicker—it's a real time-saver.
- → What kind of mayonnaise should I use?
Go with any mayo you like best, regular or light. Or, use Greek yogurt for something a little tangier.
- → How do I keep the salad from getting soggy?
Pop your salad into something airtight, and toss on greens or sandwich bread right when you're about to eat for best crunch.
- → Can I make this salad ahead of time?
For sure! It keeps in the fridge for up to three days, so it's perfect for making ahead.
- → Are there alternative add-ins?
Yes! Throw in some diced apples, maybe a few grapes, or even toasted nuts if you want more crunch or flavor.
- → Is this salad suitable for low-carb diets?
You bet—it's packed with protein and super low on carbs, so it works great for keto or low-carb eating.