Name: Old Southern Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded; 3 tablespoons finely chopped celery; 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped; 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish; 1 cup mayonnaise (preferably Duke’s); 1/8 teaspoon onion powder; 1 tablespoon pickle juice; Salt and pepper, to taste

Introduction

Old Southern Chicken Salad is a creamy, tangy classic that’s perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. With tender shredded chicken, crunchy celery, and a flavorful dressing, this salad is both satisfying and easy to prepare.

The image shows two chicken salad sandwiches placed in a long metal tray lined with parchment paper. Each sandwich has two layers: the top layer is a golden, flaky croissant with a shiny, buttery texture, and the bottom layer is filled with a generous amount of creamy chicken salad that is light beige with visible bits of green celery, white chicken chunks, and small yellow pieces, creating a rich, chunky texture. The sandwiches are set on a surface with a white marbled texture, giving a clean and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
3 tablespoons finely chopped celery
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 cup mayonnaise (I suggest Duke’s)
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon pickle juice
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, finely chopped celery, and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
Step 2: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, onion powder, and pickle juice until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Step 4: Cover and chill the salad for at least 1 to 2 hours to let the flavors meld.
Step 5: Serve cold, spooned into a sandwich, over a bed of lettuce, or as you prefer.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts.
Replace sweet pickle relish with dill relish for a tangier flavor.
Use Greek yogurt in place of half the mayonnaise for a lighter version.
Add a dash of cayenne or smoked paprika for subtle heat and depth.

Storage

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving again. It’s best enjoyed chilled, but if preferred, you can let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the flavors.

How to Serve

Two thick sandwiches sit in a metal tray lined with brown parchment paper. Each sandwich has a golden-brown, flaky croissant top with visible layers of crispy, buttery pastry. The filling is creamy and chunky, made of white and light yellow pieces mixed with bits of green, giving a rich, textured look that spills slightly from the sides. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this salad?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and can save time while adding extra flavor.

Is this chicken salad safe to freeze?

It’s not recommended to freeze chicken salad because the mayonnaise and eggs can separate and change texture when thawed.

Old Southern Chicken Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 205 reviews

A classic Old Southern Chicken Salad featuring shredded chicken, chopped eggs, celery, and a tangy dressing made with sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, and pickle juice. This creamy and flavorful salad makes a perfect sandwich filling or a refreshing topping for a bed of lettuce, capturing the nostalgic taste of Southern comfort food.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Southern

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Salad

3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
3 tablespoons finely chopped celery
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Dressing

3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 cup mayonnaise (preferably Duke’s)
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon pickle juice
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Combine Chicken Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded cooked chicken, finely chopped celery, and chopped hard-boiled eggs until evenly distributed.
Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk the sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, onion powder, and pickle juice until smooth and well blended to create the dressing.
Mix Salad and Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss everything together until the chicken salad is coated evenly with the dressing.
Chill the Salad: Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the chicken salad in sandwiches, over a bed of fresh lettuce, or any way you prefer for a delicious, classic Southern meal.

Notes

Use Duke’s mayonnaise for an authentic Southern flavor.
Chilling the salad is important for the best taste and texture.
You can customize the salad by adding chopped nuts or herbs if desired.
Perfect for meal prep or a quick lunch option.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Southern chicken salad, old southern chicken salad recipe, chicken salad with mayo, classic chicken salad, easy chicken salad