The first chicken salad was created in 1863 in Wakefield, RI. It was the brainchild of the founder of Town Meats, Liam Gray, who somehow thought it would be a good idea to mix leftover chicken with mayonnaise, tarragon and grapes.

The product was a huge hit. In fact, it was so popular that Gray’s meat market went on to become a delicatessen famous for serving the dish.

The recipe was further popularized in the fabulous 50’s. The timeless classic chicken salad recipe was a staple from that decade and the Ladies Who Lunched.

The dish remains popular today due to the health benefits it provides as well as the wide range of options you can choose from when preparing it.

Chicken is known to be one of the healthiest, leanest meats around. It is packed with protein, calcium and phosphorus. It can aid in weight loss, boost immunity, promote healthy bones and work as a stress reliever.

There are several variations on the chicken salad recipe. For lower fat options, you can substitute the mayo with a lower fat version or even use Greek yogurt. You can also add a variety of healthy ingredients like fruits, vegetables, nuts, scallops…. and the list goes on!

When thinking of how to serve chicken salad, there are also a variety of choices there as well. It can be added to a salad with any number of other ingredients or made into a sandwich that includes wheat bread, rye or even a bagel.

Chicken Salad Ideas

One great idea for serving chicken salad is to include it as the feature ingredient in a salad. Would that be then called a chicken salad salad? Rather than trying to find the answer to this existential question of the ages, let’s instead discuss how we could go about making a yummy chicken salad…um, salad.

Lettuce, or course, makes a great base for any salad, but if you want to get a bit more adventurous, and healthier, start with a bed of kale, mixed greens or spinach.

Of course, veggies are always a great addition. Try adding in carrots, tomatoes or cucumbers. Even hot peppers can work for those who love spice.

If you want to ramp up on your protein, you can add a hard-boiled egg. Cheese can also work as a delicious and healthy addition for dairy lovers.

A popular dish in many restaurants is a salad that features a variety of different types of salads. For instance, some can include not only chicken salad, but tuna salad and turkey salad. This is a great way to get a sampling of many taste options.

When it comes to dressing, it is best to shy away from using anything too heavy since the chicken salad will already contain mayonnaise. Italian or a vinaigrette dressings may be better choices.

To save time, you can make a bunch of salad early in the week and dispense it as needed for meals. However, it’s a good idea to store your salad ingredients and your chicken salad separately as the mayonnaise from the chicken salad can make your greens soggy.

Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipes

Of course, those who have heartier tastes may prefer to enjoy their chicken salad in a sandwich.

A great chicken salad sandwich starts with the right type of bread.

Preferences in bread may vary and toasted white bread has long been a popular choice, but many say untoasted multi-grain bread is ideal because it holds up better to the moisture of the chicken salad without needing to be toasted. It’s healthier too!

There are a variety of ingredients you can use in your chicken salad. The recipe we have here includes celery and eggs, but you don’t need to limit yourself to these additions. Others that are worth mentioning include tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, fennel…and the list goes on.

Once your chicken salad sandwich is prepared, you can serve it with any side you prefer. Chips are great for adding crunch to your meal. A soup or salad can be served to complete a healthy dish. Or if you are going on the lighter side, just add a pickle!

While we could have put any chicken salad recipe on our site, we chose to pay homage to the classic recipes of the 1950s. Not dry, not filled with fruit salad…this is the real deal.

Back when they served chicken salad in perfectly cored tomatoes, presentation and taste were done to perfection. We’ve upped the game by serving it in butter croissants.

From shredding the chicken breast by hand, to adding just the right amount of mayo with hard boiled eggs…this recipe is worthy of the finest women’s club menu offerings. Try serving it to you family today!

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Broccoli Noodles Supreme Recipe and our Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Recipe.