My youngest son Sean loves chicken salad sandwiches so I want to share the easy southern chicken salad recipe that we use.
I (now) call this sandwich “Melinda’s chicken salad” because she is one of my dear friends who commented, “Now, THAT is a chicken salad sandwich!” after I posted an of a chicken salad sandwich on Facebook. Shortly after, she passed away unexpectedly. I think of her smiling, encouraging personality every time that I make this dish now.
When I initially shared this recipe, my family was going to a family reunion and my kids were so excited. I had to separate them for my own safety because they were hitting the wall and each other. I asked Sean to help me write down the recipe for their favorite summer lunch…chicken salad sandwiches. He was such a great little assistant – jotting down notes and taste testing. The boys got to spend some time away from each other, and we had a great lunch.
In any event, this is the recipe that we use. Sometimes, we include the dill and red onion. Sometimes, we don’t. We also rarely add salt and pepper, because the leftover chicken (a combination of white and dark meat) is usually flavorful. The great thing about this recipe is that it is easy to adjust to your family’s taste buds. If you can make this a few hours before you are ready to eat it, it’s even better BUT you can eat it right away in a pinch (like we did that day).
Chicken salad is a classic lunch and picnic dish loved by many. Its creamy texture and savory flavor make it a hearty and satisfying meal. However traditional chicken salad recipes call for celery which provides crunch. If you don’t care for celery, don’t worry – you can still make tasty chicken salad without it!
In this article, I’ll explain what to use instead of celery so your chicken salad still has texture and flavor. You’ll also learn quick and easy ways to prepare chicken for chicken salads. I’ll share my favorite celery-free chicken salad recipes too. Read on to learn how to make great chicken salad without celery!
Why Make Chicken Salad Without Celery?
While celery is a staple ingredient in many chicken salad recipes, not everyone enjoys its stringy texture and bitter taste. Even chef Ina Garten calls celery one of the most disliked vegetables!
Fortunately, celery can easily be omitted from chicken salad without sacrificing crunch. There are plenty of celery alternatives that provide a similar crisp bite. Skipping celery also allows the other ingredients to shine rather than being overpowered.
If you make your own celery-free chicken salad, you can change the taste and texture to suit your tastes. With so many possible ingredient combinations, the options are endless!.
Preparing the Chicken
Homemade chicken salad starts with cooked chicken. For best results, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can boil or bake the chicken yourself, but it’s faster to buy a rotisserie chicken.
To prepare the chicken
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If cooking raw chicken, boil or bake until fully cooked, about 10-15 minutes per side.
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Allow cooked chicken to cool completely before handling.
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Remove skin and bones then shred or dice the chicken into bite-size pieces.
Refrigerate until ready to assemble the chicken salad. Cold chicken is key for maximum flavor and texture.
The Creamy Base
In chicken salad, mayonnaise acts as the creamy base that coats the other ingredients. Regular, light, or olive oil mayo all work well. For a lower calorie option, try using plain Greek yogurt in place of some or all of the mayo.
When mixing the chicken salad, start with less mayo than you think you’ll need. You can always add more to reach the desired consistency. Too much mayo makes chicken salad mushy.
Crunchy Vegetables
The vegetables you add will replace the crunch from the celery. Try any combination of the following:
- Bell peppers – red, yellow, orange or green
- Cucumber
- Carrots
- Celery root
- Jicama
- Radishes
- Sugar snap peas
- Zucchini
Chop the veggies into small, uniform pieces for the right texture. For raw onions, soaking in cold water for 10 minutes first mellows their sharp bite.
Fun Add-Ins
Beyond vegetables, you can toss in any number of extras to make your chicken salad unique:
- Fresh herbs – dill, parsley, basil, mint
- Dried cranberries
- Raisins or currants
- Chopped apples
- Mandarin oranges
- Grapes
- Pecans, walnuts, almonds
- Shredded cheese
- Olives
- Pickles
- Bacon
- Avocado
- Green onions
- Poppy seeds
- Pesto
- Pine nuts
Add these complementary ingredients in small amounts so the flavors remain balanced.
Seasonings and Flavorings
To infuse your chicken salad with flavor, add zesty seasonings like:
- Lemon juice
- Vinegar – apple cider, white wine, or red wine
- Dijon or whole grain mustard
- Curry powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Hot sauce
- Celery salt or celery seed
Start with smaller amounts of these pungent ingredients then adjust to your tastes. You can always add more seasoning but you can’t take it out!
Easy Celery-Free Chicken Salad Recipes
To get you started, here are 3 of my favorite chicken salad recipes without celery:
Curry Chicken Salad
- Chicken
- Bell pepper
- Red onion
- Dried cranberries
- Toasted almonds
- Mayonnaise
- Plain yogurt
- Curry powder
- Garlic powder
- Lemon juice
Tropical Chicken Salad
- Chicken
- Mandarin oranges
- Diced mango
- Shredded carrots
- Diced cucumber
- Mayonnaise
- Plain yogurt
- Lime juice
- Mint
- Toasted coconut
Italian Chicken Salad
- Chicken
- Cherry tomatoes
- Shaved parmesan
- Artichoke hearts
- Pepperoncinis
- Kalamata olives
- Basil
- Mayonnaise
- Red wine vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil
Get creative with your own chicken salad combinations! The options are endless.
Serving Suggestions
Once mixed, chicken salad can be enjoyed in many ways:
- Scooped onto greens for a salad
- Stuffed into a pita or sandwich
- Wrapped in lettuce or tortilla
- Topped over pasta or grain bowls
- Served with crackers or pita chips for dipping
- Added to omelets or breakfast tacos
- Used as a protein-packed filling for stuffed peppers or tomatoes
When you don’t have much time, chicken salad is also a great snack or light meal. It packs well for lunches on-the-go too.
Storage Tips
To safely store leftover chicken salad:
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Refrigerate in an airtight container. Glass jars or storage bowls work well.
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Make sure chicken salad is completely cooled before storing.
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Use within 3-4 days for best quality.
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When ready to eat, stir chicken salad to evenly distribute any liquid that has separated.
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For grab-and-go lunches, pack chicken salad in insulated containers with ice packs.
Chicken Salad Without Celery Is Simple And Satisfying
Because it can have more tastes and textures, chicken salad without celery can be even more tempting than the regular kind. Add crunchy chopped vegetables, fresh herbs, tangy dressings, and other fun mix-ins to cooked chicken that has been shred.
The possibilities are endless, so get creative with your own signature chicken salad combination. Ditch the celery, and enjoy chicken salad exactly how you love it. Your taste buds will thank you!
Southern Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (bones and skin taken off), cooled, and cut into small pieces
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tsp mustard
- 3 tsp sweet pickle relish
- 2 tbsp red onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. In a medium sized bowl, gently mix everything together well.
2. Chill and serve.
Not many people in my family like fruit or nuts in their chicken salad, but if yours does, try these: *Fruit: halved seedless grapes or diced apples *Nuts: cashews, walnuts, or pecans
Also, a chopped hard-boiled egg is often added to southern-style chicken salads. I left the egg out of this recipe, but you can add it if you want to.
Besides being super easy, the great thing about this chicken salad is that it can be used in a variety of dishes. We mainly eat it in sandwiches or romaine wraps, but I have also mixed chicken salad in with tri-color pasta for a nice, light summer lunch or dinner. However you eat it, enjoy!.
If you found this post helpful, please share it. Thanks!
{This post has been updated and republished. It was originally posted on August 8, 2013.}
Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery | 2 Easy and Healthy Recipes
FAQ
What can I substitute for celery in chicken salad?
For a good celery substitute in chicken salad, consider fennel bulb, **cucumber, or green apple. These choices have a similar crunchy texture and fresh taste, and they are safe for people who are allergic to or don’t like celery.
What can I use instead of celery in a salad?
Turnips, parsnips, rutabaga, leeks, bok choy, artichoke hearts, and parsley root might be good alternatives to celery.
How to make 4 ingredient chicken salad?
Ingredients3 cups cooked chicken diced. 1/4 cup finely diced celery. 1/4 cup finely diced red onion. 1/2 cup salad dressing, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. salt & pepper if needed.
Why celery in chicken salad?
Most chicken salad recipes include some chopped celery, which adds necessary crunch and a fresh, herbal flavor. With the celery salt, the celery really stands out, and the zest and brightness of the salty celery cut through the heavy mayonnaise.