Classic Chicken Salad Sandwiches
In short: Poached or leftover chicken folded into a creamy dressing with celery, grapes and herbs, piled onto bread. Great for picnics and lunches. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 540 kcal
Chicken salad is the best use for leftover roast chicken, and a good reason to poach a couple of breasts on purpose. The meat is shredded and tossed with a creamy dressing, with crunch from celery, sweetness from grapes and freshness from herbs. Piled onto soft bread or a croissant, it is a classic lunch for picnics and packed lunches. This version keeps the dressing light, so the chicken still tastes like chicken.
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a saucepan with the water, salt, bay leaf and peppercorns. Bring just to a simmer, cover and cook gently for 12 to 15 minutes, until the center reads 74°C (165°F).
- Lift out the chicken and let it cool for 15 minutes, then chill for 30 minutes if you have time.
- Shred or chop the cooled chicken into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Fold in the chicken, celery, grapes, spring onions and herbs. Taste and adjust the salt and lemon.
- Pile onto bread with lettuce and serve, or chill the salad for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Poach the chicken gently. A hard boil makes breast meat tough and stringy.
- Swap the grapes for chopped apple or dried cranberries, and add toasted nuts for crunch. A spoonful of curry powder makes a spiced version.
Questions and answers
How long does chicken salad keep in the fridge?
Store it in a covered container for up to 3 days. Keep it cold at picnics with an ice pack.
Can I make chicken salad without mayonnaise?
Yes. Use thick Greek-style yogurt with mustard and lemon juice, or mashed avocado for a creamy dairy-free base.
Can I freeze chicken salad?
No. Mayonnaise separates when thawed, and the celery and grapes turn watery.
How long does it take to make Classic Chicken Salad Sandwiches?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Classic Chicken Salad Sandwiches?
About 540 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 540 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
