This simple, chicken salad without celery recipe is packed with protein and ready in minutes. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or a light lunch! This chicken salad recipe is simple and easy to make, and the end result is a flavorful dish that your whole family will love.
Most chicken salad recipes include celery, but that's not a necessary ingredient. In fact, this chicken salad recipe without celery is just as delicious. We will use a crisp apple instead for that nice bit of crunch.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you're looking for a tasty alternative to traditional chicken salad, give this recipe a try! It's the perfect side dish to our copycat Panera Tomato Soup and Savory Butternut Squash Soup recipes.
You still get a crunch from the apples, Granny Smith is the best, but any apples will work!
Ingredients You'll Need
Cook up some chicken and dice it up, or use Swanson canned chicken that has been drained. Granny Smith is my favorite, but Honey Crisp apples are great also! I usually make this salad with leftover rotisserie chicken. You can also use leftover grilled chicken to make this homemade chicken salad with.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make This Easy Chicken Salad
Cook your chicken ahead of time, or use the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken. Swanson canned chicken works great also, as that means there is no cooking involved at all!
Chop The Chicken and Vegetable Mix In's For The Salad
- Chop or dice the chicken if you cooked it or removed it from a rotisserie chicken. About 1" or ¾" pieces.
- Chop the apple, peel on. Dice the red onion up small. Chop the walnuts so they are no larger than ¼" pieces.
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl.
Combine The Mix In's With The Chicken
- Mix all the salad ingredients, adding the apple cider vinegar and the mayonnaise.
- Stir well so the chicken breaks up a bit. Blend well so that everything holds together well.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Tips for Success
Here are some valuable tips when making this chicken salad recipe:
- Using rotisserie chicken is my favorite, super easy tip to make this salad! It's tender, saves tons of time, and economical.
Substitutions and Variations
- If you are not crazy for chopped apples, try substituting grapes, or raisins.
- Almonds or pecans are also great substitutes for the walnuts.
- If you have leftover turkey this Holiday season, make this easy salad recipe using leftover turkey!
- Dijon mustard adds the best flavor, but you can use any variety of mustard.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken salad can be used in sandwiches or as a salad topped on lettuce. Serve with our Panera Tomato Soup or a salad if not making a sandwich with it. It's also amazing wrapped up in our Whole Wheat Tortilla Wraps!
Should you prefer this salad with celery, see our Chicken Salad Wraps, or our Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, they have apples, almonds, and celery!
Related Recipes
- Chicken Salad Wraps
- Panera's Tomato Soup
- Summer Berry Salad
- Strawberry Crunch Cookies
- Panera's Chicken Noodle Soup
Storage Options
- Store remaining chicken salad in food storage tubs in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This chicken salad recipe does not freeze well, as the mayonnaise will separate and make the salad runny.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this chicken salad recipe uses mayonnaise, and does not freeze well. Freezing causes it to break and get watery. It will change the salad and make it unappetizing.
Yes, you can use cooled chicken of any type, leftover chicken, even shredded chicken for this easy chicken recipe. Make your life easy and use what you have for this chicken salad. Using leftover chicken lets you make this easy salad, without having to cook the chicken, in just minutes.
More Delish Recipes
Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
Ingredients
- 16 oz chicken Cooked chicken, leftover or freshly cooked
- ¼ cup red onion chopped
- 1 large apple any variety
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or any kind
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise not Miracle Whip
- lettuce for sandwich garnish
Instructions
- Chop the chicken, red onion, walnuts, and apple. Place them in a large mixing bowl.16 oz chicken, ¼ cup red onion, 1 large apple, ¼ cup walnuts
- Add the apple cider vinegar, pepper, mustard, and mayonnaise. Mix well, letting the chicken break up with the mixing.2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ⅔ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Serve on bread or on a bed of lettuce. Refrigerate leftovers.lettuce
Notes
- Best Tip Ever: Buy a rotisserie chicken and use the breast meat for this chicken salad!
- Use leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas Turkey and make this salad! Spread leftover cranberry sauce on the bread then make a Turkey Salad version of this recipe!
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