Easy chicken pecan salad is a weekly staple recipe that is a crunchy, creamy, protein-packed filling for sandwiches, crackers, or over a bed of lettuce. It’s the very best thing that you can do with a rotisserie chicken besides stand at the kitchen counter and eat those tiny drumsticks right out of the package.
This is almost an embarrassingly simple recipe for a very basic food, but it's one I return to over and over because it is my favorite version of chicken salad. I've updated the recipe to include five different variations so there's something here for everyone.
Looking for another great way to use up leftover turkey or chicken? Try a Creamy Chicken or Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Crust or this Leftover Turkey Turnovers with Simple Potato Curry Filling as well!
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Ingredients
I include ingredient notes here when I think they’ll be helpful, including ways to source, any preparation tips, or why I've chosen a particular ingredient. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and their quantities!
- Leftover Chicken or Turkey Breast: Dice up the chicken or turkey for lettuce wraps or serving on crackers. I prefer the meat shredded for sandwiches so that they hold together better.
- Pecans: The sweet and buttery flavor of pecans gets even better with toasting, so don't skip that important step!
- Celery: I love the crunchy texture that celery brings to this salad. Dice the celery very fine so that it doesn't fall out of your sandwiches.
- Mayonnaise: This is a mayonnaise-only zone, you won't find any "sandwich dressing" substitutes here.
Basic Chicken Pecan Salad
To start, take a few minutes to toast the pecans in a dry frying pan before chopping them up and adding them to the mix! You’ll know they are ready when you start to smell the nutty aroma.
Dice the celery and add it to a medium bowl along with the chicken, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, and pecans. Basic chicken pecan salad is perfect on wheat bread for lunch!
Cranberry Chicken Pecan Salad
Add sweet dried cranberries and fresh parsley for a subtle flavor boost to the basic recipe. Simply stir in these two extra ingredients! Cranberry chicken pecan salad is perfect served on sweet Hawaiian-style rolls for a crowd.
Chicken Pecan Apple Salad
Apples and thyme are a terrific combination, and they give extra crunch and flavor to the basic chicken salad recipe. This is still a simple recipe, and chicken pecan apple salad is perfect for weekday lunch on wheat bread.
Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes
Curry powder livens up the chicken salad with an earthy blend of spices. Add shredded carrot and quartered grapes to balance the flavor and add a bit more texture and sweetness. You may need an additional tablespoon of mayonnaise to get the right texture. Curry chicken salad with grapes is terrific served in large leaves of lettuce for a wrap.
Chicken Salad Melt
You can make a chicken salad melt with any of the variations above, but a classic combination of either the basic chicken pecan salad or the chicken pecan apple salad with a sharp cheddar cheese is a surefire hit.
Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Butter one side each of two slices of bread. Place one buttered side down on the skillet and sprinkle over the cheese. Add a generous scoop of chicken salad and spread it out over the cheese. Cover with the other slice of bread buttered side up.
Place a lid on top of the skillet and cook until the bread is golden. Flip the sandwich and cook until the other side is golden and the cheese is melted.
Substitutions
The substitutions listed below have been tested in this recipe and work well. If you successfully make any other ingredient substitutions, let us know in the comments!
- Use canned chicken for a simple substitution that you can make any time, no leftovers required!
- Substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise for an extra creamy version. Adjust the salt a bit to keep the seasoning balanced.
- Use grilled chicken for an extra layer of smoky flavor that goes particularly well with the curry chicken salad version.
Make This Recipe Kid Friendly
Capitalize on the popularity of dipping by serving this chicken pecan salad to kids with crackers, carrot sticks, or celery sticks. This can be a great thing to have on hand for easy lunches or dinners when the main course is rejected.
Storage
If you aren't using up your chicken pecan salad immediately, store it in an airtight container for up to three days. It won't hang around long enough to worry about storage, though! Do not freeze this recipe, the celery will break down and the texture won’t be great after thawing.
FAQ
Good seasoning is key for a flavorful chicken salad. Chicken pecan salad tastes best with a generous amount of ground black pepper, so be sure to taste the mixture before serving and adjust the salt and other seasonings to your taste.
Add a sufficient amount of moisture from the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and celery to keep your chicken salad from tasting dry. After storing in the refrigerator, your chicken salad may have absorbed some moisture and needs a dollop of additional mayonnaise to bring it back to a creamy texture.
Chicken salad should be stored in the refrigerator, but for optimal flavor bring it closer to room temperature before serving.
More No-Cook Meals
If you need more no-cook meal ideas for warm summer nights or simple dinners all year long, try out any of these recipes:
Pairing Suggestions
Pair a savory chicken pecan salad sandwich with these recipes for a simple summer luncheon:
Try It and Share
I hope you try one of these Chicken Pecan Salad variations and share the recipe with family or friends. I want to see your results! Tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat and mention me @planeatpostrepeat on Instagram or Facebook. I can give you a virtual high five and thank you for cooking one of my recipes! Comment below with any questions and please leave a review so others can find this recipe more easily.
Recipe
Easy Chicken Pecan Salad (With 5 Variations!)
Ingredients
Basic Chicken Pecan Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken (diced or shredded, about 10 oz.)
- ⅓ cup pecans (toasted and chopped, about 1.3 oz.)
- ⅓ cup celery (finely died from one large rib)
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (ground)
Cranberry Chicken Pecan Salad
- ¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely diced
Chicken Pecan Apple Salad
- ½ cup apple, diced in ¼" pieces
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes
- ¼ cup shredded carrot
- ½ cup green grapes, quartered
- 1½ teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Chicken Salad Melt
- ⅓ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
Basic Chicken Pecan Salad
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Remove to a cutting board to cool and then chop.
- In a medium bowl, combine diced chicken, celery, pecans, mayonnaise, and salt and pepper until well mixed. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
Variations
- Stir in the additional ingredients listed above.
- For the chicken salad melt butter one side of a piece of bread. Place it in a skillet (butter side down) heated over medium-low heat. Sprinkle the cheese over the bread and then cover with a generous amount of chicken salad. Place another piece of buttered bread (buttered side up) on top and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook 3-4 minutes per side, until the bread is toasted golden and the cheese is melted.
Notes
Nutrition facts are sometimes provided below and are calculated using an online calculator. With specific brands of ingredients and additions, omissions, or substitutions the nutrition facts may change. We encourage you to use your own nutrition facts caculator to obtain the most accurate nutrition facts for your meal.
Cassie says
I'd love to hear your favorite variation!