What ingredients to put in chicken salad?

For a classic 5 ingredient chicken salad recipe, stick with cooked shredded chicken, mayo, grapes, celery, and Dijon mustard. These basics give you creaminess, crunch, sweetness, and just enough tang. Want to go fancy? Add chopped nuts, herbs, or hard-boiled eggs—but keep in mind that simplicity is what makes this version shine. Just like our 5 ingredient buffalo chicken dip , it’s proof that less really can be more.

What is the secret ingredient in chicken salad?

It’s the Dijon mustard. A small spoonful totally transforms this 5 ingredient chicken salad recipe. It cuts through the richness of mayo and makes everything brighter. If you’re not a mustard fan, try lemon juice or a splash of pickle brine for a similar effect. But trust me, Dijon is the game-changer here.

What are the 6 ingredients in chicken salad?

While this 5 ingredient chicken salad recipe keeps it tight with just five essentials, if you want to stretch it to six, add a pinch of salt or black pepper—or even chopped pecans for a little texture. That said, with chicken breast recipes already offering plenty of flavor, there's no need to overcomplicate this salad.

What are 5 components of a satisfying salad?

Whether it’s a green salad or this 5 ingredient chicken salad recipe, the keys are: Protein – like chicken Crunch – celery does the trick Creaminess – hello mayo Sweetness – grapes balance the richness Acid/Tang – Dijon mustard rounds it out These five make it satisfying and well-balanced, just like our family-style meals that keep everyone happy at the table.

5 Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipe – Simple & Great Taste

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cooked shredded chicken (preferably rotisserie)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup halved grapes (red or green)
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

Combine shredded chicken, mayonnaise, grapes, celery, and Dijon mustard in a large bowl.
Stir until all ingredients are evenly mixed and coated.
Adjust seasoning if needed, then chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Serve in sandwiches, lettuce wraps, over greens, or with crackers.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

Great for meal prep and kid-friendly. For variety, try adding nuts or using Greek yogurt instead of mayo.

Author: Jake
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 280
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: chicken salad, 5 ingredient, quick lunch, easy meal, meal prep