15 Amazing Spices That Will Transform Your Chicken Salad

Ever stared at a plain chicken salad and thought, “this needs something more”? You’re not alone! A basic chicken salad with just mayo and chicken can be pretty boring. But with the right spices and add-ins, you can transform this simple dish into something absolutely mouthwatering.

I’ve been trying different chicken salad recipes for years and have found that spices are the best way to make this simple dish taste better. Let me tell you about my favorite types of spices and ingredients that will make your chicken salad great.

Essential Spices for Chicken Salad

Before diving into specific recipes, let’s talk about the foundational spices that work wonderfully in chicken salad:

1. Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs aren’t really spices, but they’re my favorite way to give chicken salad a bright, fragrant taste. The Daily Meal says that fresh herbs go well with chicken salad because the chicken and mayonnaise have mild flavors that won’t overpower the herbs.

Some excellent herb options include

• Fresh basil – Adds a subtly pungent, light anise note
• Tarragon – Provides a slightly sweet, anise-like flavor that pairs wonderfully with chicken
• Chervil and dill – Impart a softer, more delicate character
• Thyme, rosemary, sage, and parsley – Create a distinctive Mediterranean flair
• Oregano, cilantro, and epazote – Perfect for a Latin-inspired chicken salad

You can use a single herb to showcase its flavor or blend several for more complexity

2. Curry Powder

Curry powder is probably the most classic spice blend for chicken salad. The now-famous British dish Coronation Chicken (created for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953) features a curry-flavored mayo dressing that has stood the test of time.

Curry powder has warm, complex flavors that go well with mild chicken and creamy mayo. I usually add one to two teaspoons for every cup of mayo, but I do it based on how it tastes.

3. Other Spice Blends

Why stop at curry powder? There are so many amazing spice blends that can transform your chicken salad:

• Old Bay – Though best known for seafood, it adds a warm and zesty flavor
• Creole seasoning – Brings deep, savory notes with a kick of heat from cayenne
• Five-spice powder – Offers balance and complexity with plenty of peppery warmth
• Ranch seasoning – An all-American favorite that pairs beautifully with chicken
• Ras el hanout – A Moroccan blend that adds exotic warmth
• Baharat – A Middle Eastern blend with sweet and smoky notes

Beyond Spices: Other Flavor-Boosting Ingredients

While spices are crucial, other ingredients can also elevate your chicken salad:

4. Roasted Garlic

When you roast garlic, it changes from a sharp bite to a smooth, nutty sweetness. It adds incredible depth of flavor to chicken salad. If you’re cooking the chicken yourself, you can roast the garlic at the same time or separately.

After roasting, simply squeeze the soft cloves from their papery skins, mash into a paste, and mix into your dressing. The result is a comfortingly rich, slightly sweet garlic flavor that makes your chicken salad extra special.

5. Citrus Juice and Zest

Chicken and citrus are natural companions. The acidity in citrus juice makes flavors pop and helps balance the richness of mayo. While lemon and lime are common additions, don’t be afraid to experiment with other citrus fruits:

• Orange juice and zest for sweetness
• Yuzu for aromatic complexity
• Pomelo for tangy brightness

Pro tip: Don’t forget the zest! The oils in citrus peels release fresh aromas and zippy flavors.

6. Umami Boosters

Want to deepen the flavor of your chicken salad? Try adding:

• Liquid aminos – Mellow, straightforward flavor
• Tamari – Rich, dark, complex fermented taste
• Soy sauce – Lighter and somewhat saltier

Just remember these add saltiness, so taste as you go to avoid over-salting your salad.

7. Vinegar

A few spoonfuls of vinegar can make flavors sing in chicken salad. Different vinegars bring different personalities:

• Rice or white wine vinegar – Mild options that keep flavors light
• Sherry and red wine vinegars – More pronounced taste
• Apple cider vinegar – Great fruity option, especially with fruit in your salad
• Balsamic vinegar – Adds layers of intensity, viscosity, and sweetness

8. Heat Elements

If you like your chicken salad with a kick, try these heat-bringing additions:

• Hot sauce – From Buffalo-style to sriracha, each brings unique heat and flavor
• Fresh chili peppers – Add bright, fruity spice (try anything from mild poblanos to fiery habaneros)
• Horseradish – Brings a sinus-clearing heat that thrills some (use cautiously!)

9. Sweet Elements

Balancing savory with sweet creates magic in chicken salad:

• Honey – Adds rich, fragrant sweetness that complements chicken beautifully
• Fresh fruits – Grapes and diced green apples add sweetness and crunch
• Dried fruits – Golden raisins, dried cherries, cranberries, diced apricots, or chopped prunes add chewy sweetness

Texture Enhancers

Great chicken salad isn’t just about flavor—texture matters too! These additions bring satisfying crunch:

10. Toasted Nuts and Seeds

According to The Daily Meal, nuts and seeds add not just flavor and texture but nutrition too. For maximum flavor, toast them first, or even season them before toasting.

Some great options include:

• Toasted almonds
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Cashews
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds

11. Crispy Elements

• Bacon – Adds fat, salt, and texture all in one ingredient
• Pickled vegetables – Bring crunch and acidity
• Potato chips – Yes, really! Crumble them into your chicken salad for unexpected crunch
• Celery – A classic that provides refreshing crispness

12. Caramelized Onions

While not crunchy, caramelized onions add deep, rich flavor and a jammy consistency that’s almost like using a “cheat code” for instant deliciousness. Just remember that properly caramelizing onions takes time (20 minutes to over an hour), so plan accordingly.

My Favorite Spice Combinations for Chicken Salad

Here are some winning combinations I’ve discovered:

Classic Herb Chicken Salad

• Fresh dill and parsley
• A touch of celery salt
• Lemon zest and juice
• Black pepper

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

• Dried oregano and thyme
• Roasted garlic
• Lemon juice
• Red wine vinegar
• Toasted pine nuts

Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad

• Five-spice powder
• Soy sauce or tamari
• Rice vinegar
• Fresh cilantro
• Sesame seeds

Curry Chicken Salad

• Curry powder (obviously!)
• Honey
• Golden raisins
• Toasted almonds
• Fresh cilantro

Southwestern Chicken Salad

• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Lime juice and zest
• Fresh cilantro
• Diced jalapeño

Pro Tips for Spicing Chicken Salad

1. Start small – You can always add more spices, but you can’t take them out once added.

2. Let it marinate – Chicken salad often tastes better after the flavors have time to meld in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

3. Balance is key – Aim for a mix of aromatic spices, acidity, sweetness, and heat.

4. Season the chicken itself – For maximum flavor, season your chicken before cooking it.

5. Taste, taste, taste – Keep sampling as you go, especially when adding salty ingredients like soy sauce or spicy ones like hot sauce.

Wrapping Up

I hope these spice suggestions help you create chicken salad that’s anything but boring! Remember, the beauty of chicken salad is its versatility—don’t be afraid to experiment with different spice combinations until you find your perfect match.

What’s your favorite spice for chicken salad? I’d love to hear about your own discoveries in the comments below!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, all this talk about chicken salad has made me hungry. I think I’m gonna go make some curry chicken salad with toasted almonds and golden raisins for lunch. Yum!