Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
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You'll love this Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe featuring fresh dill, red seedless grapes, toasted almonds and store-bought rotisserie chicken. It's a super easy recipe that creates delicious chicken salad croissants for luncheons, picnics and parties!
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Why You'll Love It
- Quick and Easy: use store-bought rotisserie chicken to shorten prep time
- Simple Ingredients: find all of the fresh ingredients at your local grocery store
- Delicious Salad: get a burst of sweet and savory flavor in every bite!
- Crowd Pleaser: folks love this classic chicken salad recipe with grapes and almonds
- Great for Parties and Picnics: chicken salad croissants are a big hit at events!
Recipe Highlights
Years ago, a few friends and I owned a café in our hometown. This recipe was the most popular item on our menu. Folks would stand in a line that stretched down the sidewalk to get a scoop of my chicken salad with grapes and almonds. Now, you can make it anytime you like!
This is the by far the best chicken salad recipe you'll ever taste! It's the perfect spread for a sandwich, and tastes great in lettuce wraps or buttery croissants.
You can also stuff it inside a tomato or avocado, or add a scoop on a bed of lettuce for a light lunch or dinner. If you're looking for a recipe with pecans and cranberries, try my Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad.
Ways to Enjoy Rotisserie Chicken Salad
All of the southern folks I know go crazy over this creamy rotisserie chicken salad recipe. We serve it at everything from baby showers to bridal luncheons. It's southern tradition to set out huge trays of chicken salad croissants at every event!
There are many different ways to serve this dish, which makes it a great option for a large group. Wedding receptions and tea parties are two of the most popular events where rotisserie chicken salad sandwiches make a beautiful presentation.
You can also serve this classic recipe on your favorite sandwich bread, or alongside other southern salads like egg salad with pickles, southern tuna salad, old fashioned ham salad, green pea salad and classic pimento cheese. It's a simple dish with both sweet and savory flavors!
Equipment Needed
- large mixing bowl
- spoon
- cutting board
- sharp knife
Ingredients
Toasted almonds are the secret ingredient in this recipe! Toasting the almonds adds a nice little crunch and pairs well with the sweet flavor of fresh grapes. It only takes a few extra minutes and it's totally worth it.
Adding fresh dill or dried dill weed to diced chicken adds a hint of herbal flavor. Plus, the creamy textures of the mayonnaise and tender chicken provides a savory touch which is a great addition.
See quantities in recipe card.
- fresh or leftover rotisserie chicken that is fully cooked
- mayonnaise
- sweet onion, minced
- sliced almonds, toasted
- red seedless grapes, halved
- fresh dill weed, minced
- garlic powder
Instructions
Spread the sliced almonds on a sheet pan or baking sheet. Bake them in a 350ºF oven for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they become slightly brown. Watch them closely because almonds can burn quickly. Remove almonds from oven and cool slightly.
Chop rotisserie chicken into small chunks. If you want smaller pieces of chicken, use a food processor to break it down further.
Mince onion and fresh dill on a cutting board with a sharp knife. Cut grapes in half.
Place almonds, chicken, onion, fresh dill and grapes in a large mixing bowl. Stir in mayonnaise and garlic powder until chicken mixture is creamy and spreadable.
Stuff spread into rolls, biscuits or croissants, or serve on a bed of mixed greens and arugula for a light and delicious meal.
Expert Tips
- Purchase a plump rotisserie chicken to ensure you have enough meat for this recipe. Sam's Club or Costco sells the best product, but some grocery stores also offer a good variety.
- Mince the onion so it is barely detectable. You can do this in a food processor, or use a sharp knife for best results. You'll get the benefit of flavor, but not any of the bitter onion taste.
- Use Duke's mayonnaise for best results. It has the perfect balance. If you don't have access to Duke's mayo, use Hellman's or Blue Plate as a substitute. I don't recommend Miracle Whip because it contains sugar which changes the taste completely.
Recipe FAQs
I've been told it tastes a lot like their Fancy Nancy menu item, but I've been making this recipe for more than 30 years, which is long before they were established. Still, I'd be honored if it did because I love Chicken Salad Chick!
It's not recommended to freeze chicken salad because the texture will change once thawed. Mayonnaise tends to curdle after freezing which results in a watery liquid that's safe to eat, but not very appetizing.
If refrigerated properly in an airtight container, it can last up to 3 days. However, it shouldn't sit out on the counter or be taken on picnics without chilling on ice. The temp should be kept below 40ºF for safety reasons.
Variations
As with most recipes, folks like to switch things up a bit. Want to experiment with different variations? Try these ideas...
- Dressings: light mayo, plain greek yogurt, sour cream
- Veggies: red onion, green onions, sweet pickles, pickled onions
- Fruits and nuts: apples, cranberries, green grapes or pecans
- Boneless chicken breasts: as a substitute for rotisserie white meat
- Spices: dried curry, fresh rosemary, celery seed, fresh herbs
- Savory: hard-boiled eggs, celery, lemon juice, dijon mustard
Storage and Freezing
Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Follow food safety guidelines and keep it cold at all times.
Since it's a mayonnaise based food, freezing is not recommended.
Serving Suggestions
There's nothing better than this rotisserie chicken salad recipe as a simple side dish or main entree. Try these easy serving ideas:
- with a side of potato chips - the perfect way to enjoy a sandwich!
- add stalks of celery or carrot sticks - for a healthy alternative and extra crunch
- scoop on top of mixed greens - makes a delicious salad with poppyseed dressing
- stuff inside a tortilla - fold it over and make a wrap
- add to a lettuce wrap - stuff it into bibb lettuce instead of bread for a low carb snack
- make a trio salad plate - serve with potato salad and macaroni salad for a real treat
- stuff inside mini croissants - the best way to feed a large group
- spread on two slices of bread - makes a simple sandwich filling
- spoon into a hollowed tomato or avocado - a light and scrumptious lunch!
- with punch or cider - serve with non-alcoholic Thanksgiving punch, easy crockpot wassail or non-alcoholic Christmas punch.
Recipe Card
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken breast (diced or shredded)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Duke's is recommended)
- 2 Tablespoons sweet onion (finely minced)
- 1 cup red seedless grapes (halved in the middle)
- 8 ounces sliced almonds (toasted)
- 1 Tablespoon fresh dill (minced)
- 1 dash garlic powder (to taste)
- 1 bag mini croissants (optional)
Instructions
- Spread the sliced almonds on a sheet pan or baking sheet. Bake in a 350ºF oven for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they become slightly brown.
- Take almonds out of oven and cool for a few minutes.
- Chop rotisserie chicken into small chunks. If you want smaller pieces of chicken, use a food processor to break it down further.
- Mince onion and fresh dill on a cutting board with a sharp knife. Cut grapes in half.
- Place almonds, chicken, onion, fresh dill and grapes in a large mixing bowl. Stir in mayonnaise and garlic powder until chicken mixture is creamy and spreadable.
- Stuff spread into rolls, biscuits or croissants, or serve on a bed of mixed greens and arugula for a light and delicious meal.
Notes
- Be careful when toasting the almonds because they can burn quickly. Watch them to make sure they don't get too brown.
- Purchase a plump rotisserie chicken to ensure you have enough meat for this recipe.
- Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Follow food safety guidelines and keep it cold at all times.
- Since it's a mayonnaise based food, freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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I remember when you used to sell this chicken salad in your cafe. It was so good! I can't wait to make it for my kids this week. I'm excited to have your recipe!
You remember that? Those were fun days!