The Ultimate Guide: How to Make Southern Chicken Salad Like Grandma Used To

Ain’t nothing quite like a good old-fashioned Southern chicken salad. This was a must-have at every family get-together, Sunday lunch, and summer picnic when I was growing up. Now I’m going to show you my favorite way to make this traditional dish that makes me think of eating at my mom’s table.

If you make southern chicken salad the right way, it’s easy to make and tastes great. It’s creamy and flavorful, and you can put it on lettuce, put it in a sandwich, or just eat it straight from the bowl (which I do sometimes when no one’s looking!).

What Makes Southern Chicken Salad Special?

Here’s what makes Southern chicken salad different from other kinds of chicken salad before we get to the recipe. It’s all about the perfect balance of ingredients:

• Tender chicken (preferably a mix of white and dark meat for maximum flavor)
• The right amount of mayo (Duke’s if you’re a true Southerner!)
• A hint of sweetness (from sweet pickles or relish)
• Just enough crunch (from celery and sometimes onions)
• Simple seasoning that enhances without overwhelming

The beauty of Southern chicken salad is in its simplicity. We don’t need fancy ingredients to make something delicious – just good quality basics and a little love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For a classic Southern chicken salad that serves 4-6 people you’ll need

• 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2-3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (or finely chopped sweet pickles)
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise (start with less, add more as needed)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt (optional but adds nice flavor)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
• Dash of ground red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (mostly for garnish)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Chicken

First things first, you need some cooked chicken. You’ve got several options:

1. Boil a whole chicken: This gives you a mix of white and dark meat, which many Southerners prefer for the best flavor. Plus, you get homemade broth as a bonus!

2. Use chicken breasts: If you prefer white meat only, poach or boil 2-3 large chicken breasts until cooked through.

3. Rotisserie chicken: For a time-saving shortcut, a store-bought rotisserie chicken works wonderfully.

Whatever method you choose, make sure your chicken is fully cooled before chopping it up.

Step 2: Chop Everything Up

Once your chicken is cooled:

1. Chop it into small, bite-sized pieces. How chunky or fine you go is personal preference – I like mine somewhere in the middle.

2. Finely dice your celery and onion. The celery provides essential crunch, while the onion adds a nice sharp flavor.

3. If using whole pickles instead of relish, chop them into small pieces.

4. Chop your hard-boiled eggs.

Step 3: Mix It All Together

In a large mixing bowl:

1. Add your chopped chicken, celery, onion, pickle relish, and chopped eggs.

2. Add about 1/2 cup of the mayonnaise, the lemon juice, salt, pepper, and other seasonings.

3. Gently fold everything together. You want to mix well without mashing the chicken too much.

4. Do a taste test and adjust your seasonings. Now is the time to fix it! Do you need more salt or mayo?

Step 4: Chill Before Serving

Cover your chicken salad and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This resting time is crucial – it allows all those flavors to meld together beautifully.

Right before serving, you can stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of mayonnaise to make it extra creamy. This two-stage addition of mayo is a little trick my grandma taught me!

Serving Suggestions

Southern chicken salad is wonderfully versatile. Here are my favorite ways to serve it:

• Classic sandwich: Between two slices of white bread (toasted or not)
• Fancy it up: On a buttery croissant with lettuce and tomato
• Low-carb option: On a bed of lettuce with sliced tomatoes
• Party style: With crackers as an appetizer
• Extra Southern: Stuffed in hollowed-out tomatoes in the summer

Tips from a Southern Kitchen

After years of making this recipe, I’ve picked up a few tricks:

• The chicken matters: For the best flavor, use a mix of white and dark meat. If you boil a whole chicken, save that broth for another recipe!

• Don’t skimp on the mayo: Duke’s mayonnaise is preferred in most Southern kitchens, but use what you like. Just make sure it’s real mayonnaise.

• Pickle juice secret: If you’re using homemade sweet pickles, add a splash of the pickle juice for extra flavor like my mama did.

• Texture is key: Don’t over-chop your ingredients. You want some texture in each bite.

• Make ahead: This salad actually tastes better the next day, so it’s perfect for make-ahead meals.

Variations to Try

While the classic recipe is perfect as is, here are some variations that still honor the Southern tradition:

• Fruity version: Add halved grapes or diced apples for sweetness and crunch
• Nutty addition: Toasted pecans or walnuts add wonderful texture
• Herby twist: Fresh dill or tarragon can brighten the flavor profile
• Spicy kick: Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne for heat

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does homemade chicken salad last?

When properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your chicken salad will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

Can I freeze chicken salad?

I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad once it’s made. The mayonnaise tends to separate and the texture suffers. If you want to get ahead, freeze the cooked, chopped chicken, then thaw and mix with the fresh ingredients when ready.

What’s the best bread for chicken salad sandwiches?

Traditional Southern chicken salad is often served on plain white bread, but it’s also delicious on croissants, wheat bread, or even butter lettuce wraps if you’re watching carbs.

How can I make my chicken salad healthier?

You can substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, use all white meat chicken, and add extra celery for more crunch with fewer calories.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about Southern chicken salad. Maybe it’s the simplicity of the ingredients, or perhaps it’s the memories it evokes of family gatherings and church potlucks. Whatever it is, this recipe has stood the test of time for good reason.

I hope you’ll give this classic Southern chicken salad a try. Make it your own, adjust to your taste, but keep the spirit of Southern cooking alive – simple ingredients, prepared with care, and shared with love.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’m gonna go make myself a chicken salad sandwich. All this writing has made me hungry!

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