Chicken Almond Salad Recipe Recipe

This Chicken Almond Salad Recipe is a crunchy and easy recipe, which is made with sliced almonds and chopped celery. It’s the perfect recipe for a quick lunch or easy meal prep, ready in about 10 minutes.

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Chicken Almond Salad Recipe Ingredients Recipe

Salad:

3 cups cooked shredded chicken
½ cup chopped celery
¼ cup sliced almonds (toasted if you’ve got time)
¼ cup minced onion

Dressing:

½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
¼ tsp granulated garlic
Salt & pepper, to taste

How To Make Chicken Almond Salad Recipe

Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, granulated garlic, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the 3 cups of cooked shredded chicken, the chopped celery, sliced almonds, and minced onion.
Mix and Chill: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Toss gently with a spoon or spatula until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
Serve: You can serve the chicken salad immediately. However, for the best flavor, cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Recipe Tips Recipe

What’s the easiest way to get shredded chicken? Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is the fastest and most flavorful option. You can also poach 2 large chicken breasts in seasoned water for 15-20 minutes, let them cool, and then shred them with two forks.
Do I really need to toast the almonds? You don’t have to, but toasting them takes 3-5 minutes in a dry pan over medium-low heat and makes a huge difference. It makes them much crunchier and brings out their nutty flavor.
The raw onion is too strong for me. Any tips? Yes. After you mince the onion, place it in a small bowl of cold water for 10-15 minutes. Drain the water completely before adding the onion to the salad. This simple trick removes the sharp “bite” but keeps the onion flavor.
What else can I add to this chicken salad? This is a great base recipe. Try adding ½ cup of halved red or green grapes for a sweet, juicy burst, or ¼ cup of dried cranberries for a chewy, tart flavor.

What To Serve With Chicken Almond Salad Recipe

This salad is delicious on its own, but it’s most famously served in one of these classic ways.

In a sandwich on a croissant, sourdough, or whole-wheat bread
On top of a bed of fresh lettuce or mixed greens
As a dip with crackers (like Ritz or water crackers)
Stuffed into a halved avocado or a cored tomato

How To Store Chicken Almond Salad Recipe

Refrigerate: Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Because it is mayonnaise-based, do not let it sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this recipe. Mayonnaise-based dressings do not freeze well; they will separate when thawed and become watery and oily.

Chicken Almond Salad Recipe Nutrition Facts Recipe

(Per serving, assuming 4 servings)

Calories: ~350 kcal
Total Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 450mg
Total Carbohydrate: 6g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 25g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this nut-free?

Yes. To keep the crunch, you can substitute the almonds with toasted sunflower seeds or pepitas. You can also just leave them out entirely.

How long does this last in the fridge?

When stored properly in an airtight container, this chicken salad will stay fresh and delicious for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Can I use canned chicken?

You can, but the flavor and texture will be much better with freshly cooked and shredded chicken (like a rotisserie chicken). If using canned, be sure to drain it very well.