This Trader Joe’s style Chicken Salad is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with tender cooked chicken and crunchy toasted almonds. It’s the perfect quick lunch, a classic, foolproof recipe ready in just 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Chicken Salad Ingredients
A simple, classic list for the perfect deli-style salad.
- 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken meat
- ½ cup blanched slivered almonds
- 1 rib celery, chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
How To Make Trader Joe’s Chicken Salad
A step-by-step guide to this incredibly quick and easy classic.
- Toast the Almonds: Place the slivered almonds in a dry frying pan over medium-high heat. Toast, shaking the pan frequently, for 3-5 minutes, until they are golden brown and fragrant. Watch them carefully as they can burn quickly. Remove from the pan and let them cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and black pepper until well combined.
- Combine the Salad: To the bowl with the dressing, add the chopped chicken, the cooled toasted almonds, and the chopped celery.
- Mix and Serve: Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy dressing. For the best flavor, chill for at least 30 minutes, or serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
For the most delicious and perfectly textured chicken salad.
- How to get the best flavor? Toasting the almonds is a crucial step that makes a huge difference. It brings out their nutty flavor and ensures they are perfectly crunchy, providing a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy salad.
- What’s the best chicken to use? A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the ultimate shortcut for this recipe, providing moist and flavorful meat with zero effort. You can also use leftover baked chicken breasts or good-quality canned chicken, drained well.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead salad for a quick weekday lunch or for meal prepping. You can prepare it completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The almonds may soften slightly over time.
- How can I customize this chicken salad? This is a great base recipe. Feel free to add halved red grapes for a touch of sweetness, a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for more tang, or some fresh herbs like dill or tarragon.
What To Serve With Chicken Salad
Classic accompaniments for this simple and refreshing dish.
This classic chicken salad is perfect for a light meal. It’s delicious served:
- On a buttery croissant or soft brioche roll
- Between two slices of toasted sourdough or whole wheat bread for a classic sandwich
- With a variety of crackers for scooping
- On a bed of fresh lettuce or in a lettuce cup for a low-carb option
- Stuffed into a fresh tomato or avocado
How To Store Chicken Salad
Keeping your delicious salad fresh.
- Refrigerate: Due to the mayonnaise, this salad must be kept cold. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours.
Trader Joe’s Chicken Salad Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 779 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Fat: 63 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
If your salad seems a little dry, simply stir in an extra tablespoon or two of mayonnaise until it reaches your desired creaminess.
Yes. If you don’t have slivered almonds, toasted and chopped pecans or walnuts would also be a delicious and crunchy addition.
For a lighter version, you can substitute half of the mayonnaise with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt. This will add a bit more tang and significantly reduce the fat and calorie content.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Argentinian Shrimp Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Lemon Pasta Recipe
Trader Joe’s Chicken Salad Recipe
Course: SaladsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes5
minutes779
kcalA classic, creamy, and easy chicken salad loaded with crunchy toasted almonds and fresh celery in a simple lemon-mayo dressing. The perfect recipe for a quick lunch or delicious sandwiches.
Ingredients
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
½ cup blanched slivered almonds
1 rib celery, chopped
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
¼ tsp ground black pepper
Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- In a dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast the slivered almonds, shaking the pan frequently, until golden and fragrant. Let cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and pepper.
- Add the chopped chicken, cooled toasted almonds, and chopped celery to the dressing.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that makes this recipe incredibly fast.
- Toasting the almonds is a key step that adds a crucial layer of flavor and crunch.
- For the best flavor, make the salad a few hours ahead of time to allow the ingredients to meld in the refrigerator.
- Always keep this salad well-chilled and refrigerated due to the mayonnaise content.
