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You are here: Home / From Scratch Cooking / Dinner / Easy Chicken Salad Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients}

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe {Only 6 Ingredients}

March 1, 2021 · In: Dinner, From Scratch Cooking

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Spring is a time when I start to incorporate lighter and brighter meals into our menu. This easy chicken salad recipe combines bright flavors like dill and lemon juice, as well as the nice crisp crunch of celery and sweet dried cranberries. It’s the perfect make ahead meal that is light and great for busy spring and summer nights.

chicken salad
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During the warmer months of the year, I love to have easy and simple meals that I can prepare ahead of time. Having this delicious chicken salad already made allows us to spend more time outside and less time in the kitchen. The best part about this recipe is that you can double or triple it so you have it on hand throughout the week. We love to pair it with fresh homemade bread or croissants, but it’s also great in a flour tortilla or even crackers! With only six ingredients, I guarantee this will become one of your favorite meals!

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

  • Pot for boiling chicken
  • Stand mixer for shredding (optional)
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Mixing spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

TIPS

  • Use a rotisserie chicken to save time.
  • Try cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot, shredding it and save it for recipes like this.
  • Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to shred the chicken instead of doing it by hand.
  • Make this chicken salad at the beginning of the week (and double or triple the recipe) for quick and easy lunches and dinners!

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN SALAD

Start by boiling chicken breasts in a pot for 20 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked. Drain the water and add the chicken into the bowl of a stand mixer. Place the paddle attachment on and turn the mixer to medium speed for a minute to shred the chicken completely.

Cook and shred chicken and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.

Allow the chicken to cool for 10 to 15 minutes and then mix in the mayonnaise, chopped celery, dried cranberries, dill, lemon juice and salt and pepper.

Mix shredded chicken, mayo, celery, dried cranberries, dill weed, lemon juice and salt and pepper.

Place in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight before enjoying! Keep this chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week!

Place chicken salad in an airtight container for 4 hours or overnight.
Serve this easy chicken salad recipe on bread, in a tortilla or with crackers.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

5 from 7 votes
Spring is a time when I start to incorporate lighter and brighter meals into our menu. This easy chicken salad recipe combines bright flavors like dill and lemon juice, as well as the nice crisp crunch of celery. It's the perfect make ahead meal that is light and great for busy spring and summer nights.
Print Recipe
Prep Time:30 minutes mins
Cook Time:4 hours hrs
Total Time:4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken salad, easy chicken salad, easy chicken salad recipe
Servings: 5 servings

Equipment

  • Pot for boiling chicken
  • Stand mixer for shredding (optional)
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Mixing spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1-2 tbsp dill weed
  • 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Start by boiling chicken breasts in a pot for 20 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked. Drain the water and add the chicken into the bowl of a stand mixer, place the paddle attachment on and turn the mixer to medium for a minute to shred the chicken completely.
  • Allow the chicken to cool for 10 to 15 minutes and then mix in the mayonnaise, chopped celery, dried cranberries, dill, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
  • Place in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight before enjoying! Keep this chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week!

Notes

  • Use a rotisserie chicken to save time.
  • Try cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot, shredding it and save it for recipes like this.
  • Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to shred the chicken instead of doing it by hand.
  • Make this chicken salad at the beginning of the week (and double or triple the recipe) for quick and easy lunches and dinners!
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    By: thesimplehomeplace · In: Dinner, From Scratch Cooking

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    Comments

    1. Kristen says

      March 1, 2021 at 7:54 am

      I can’t wait to try this. I’m always looking for simple lunches and this fits the bill. I even have leftover chicken to use!

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 1, 2021 at 8:05 am

        That’s great! I hope you enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    2. Colette Zaharko says

      March 1, 2021 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      Your easy chicken salad recipe is perfect for my kid’s school lunch. I love that you can make it ahead of time, and you can store it in the fridge for a long period of time. The dried cranberry adds a delicious flavor to the salad. It’s so yummy. Thank you for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 1, 2021 at 11:28 am

        I’m so glad you like the recipe! I hope you and your kids enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Emily Flint says

      March 1, 2021 at 8:29 pm

      5 stars
      The addition of dried cranberry to this chicken salad is brilliant!! So delicious!

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 1, 2021 at 8:44 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    4. Leah Buehler says

      March 1, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      I can be picky with my chicken salad but this one sounds delicious! I’m definitely pinning this one to try out!

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 2, 2021 at 8:48 am

        Thank you! I hope you enjoy it 🙂

        Reply
    5. Gabriela Herrera says

      March 2, 2021 at 5:45 am

      5 stars
      I love how rich and hearty this salad seems. The addition of the cranberries gives it that extra punch of flavor that we all crave. Thank you so much.

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 2, 2021 at 8:47 am

        Thank you Gabriela!

        Reply
    6. Lulu says

      March 2, 2021 at 10:28 pm

      I have never thought of using cranberries in a chicken salad sandwich, it looks simply delicious ?

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 3, 2021 at 7:07 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    7. Liz says

      March 3, 2021 at 8:25 am

      Sounds delicious! Will definitely try!

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 3, 2021 at 9:07 am

        Thank you! Hope you enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    8. chelsea says

      March 3, 2021 at 7:51 pm

      This looks divine! I will be making this SOON! I love the layout of your blog. Easy for reader to consume.

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 3, 2021 at 8:54 pm

        I hope you enjoy! And thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

        Reply
    9. Maiko says

      March 4, 2021 at 5:15 am

      I love sandwiches! Can I substitute chicken with something else to make it plant-based..? Nice recipe!

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 4, 2021 at 7:02 am

        Thank you! I think this would be really good with like a coleslaw mix of veggies or something like that!

        Reply
    10. Diana says

      March 4, 2021 at 7:09 am

      This looks delicious and so easy to make! Can’t wait to try it, maybe I can find a healthier option for mayonnaise! Thanks!

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 4, 2021 at 7:10 am

        Thank you! You could try plain greek yogurt instead or I’ve even made it with mashed avocado!

        Reply
    11. Andrea says

      March 4, 2021 at 11:21 am

      I love chicken salad, but I’ve never put dill in it before. Can’t wait to try it! Thanks!

      Reply
    12. Lindy | Happy Humble Haven says

      March 4, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      Wow! I love chicken salad and this looks dee-lish!! Definitely pinning so I have the recipe on-hand! Can’t wait to try! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 4, 2021 at 1:02 pm

        Thank you! I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    13. Viana Boenzli says

      March 4, 2021 at 4:32 pm

      I love that you’ve added cranberries and dill. It looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 4, 2021 at 8:27 pm

        Thank you! I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    14. Giangi Townsend says

      March 8, 2021 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      Love a good Chicken Salad and yours looks amazing and cannot wait to make it. I have all the ingredients on hand.

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        March 8, 2021 at 11:35 am

        Thank you! I hope you enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    15. Taffy says

      April 26, 2021 at 7:47 am

      5 stars
      I love the idea of adding cranberries. This salad must be so flavourful and delish. Will try it out next sunday

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        April 26, 2021 at 10:20 am

        Thank you! It’s very flavorful and super delicious!

        Reply
    16. Bobbie says

      April 26, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      Love chicken salad! It’s a perfect lunch to make ahead to take to work.

      Reply
      • aspenonmain says

        April 27, 2021 at 10:06 am

        It really is!

        Reply
    17. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

      April 26, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      I love little bursts of sweetness in my chicken salad. I usually use grapes but am definitely going to try cranberries next time!

      Reply

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