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Old Southern Chicken Salad 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.

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

  1. Combine Chicken Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded cooked chicken, finely chopped celery, and chopped hard-boiled eggs until evenly distributed.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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